Georgetown: Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment Robert Persaud on the occasion of Earth Day 2013 which is being observed on April 22, noted that this year’s theme, Face of Climate Change, reinforces the realities of climate change and the fact that it has real effects on people, animals, ecosystems and natural resources.
“Climate Change is not just a facet of our imagination or a problem for the future generation to solve – it is a real problem, affecting today’s people and the consequences are escalating,” he emphasized.
Minister Persaud explained that Guyanese are not spared from the impacts of Climate Change since the country’s coastline, being below sea-level makes the popuation very vulnerable to sea level rise. “This has serious implications for us since a significant proportion of our economic and administrative activities occur along the coastal belt,’ he said.
Nevertheless, the Government of Guyana has been working assiduously to mitigate the impacts of Climate Change through its Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCSD) and the promotion of a renewable energy project such as the Amaila Falls Hydroelectricity Project and the Rural Areas Electrification Project. These laudable efforts must not be jeopardized by injudicious actions, he said.
Climate Change has also led to greater activism – the faces of the millions of people of all races, creed and class, who are rising up to take unified action to face the problem! These are the faces that say ‘all is not lost; there is still hope for our Planet!”
“But we need to do our part…we can take a decision to make lifestyle changes which will positively affect the earth and we can all be advocates for a better world. We can be messengers and influencers of change, making use of the social media which now makes the world a smaller place,” the Minister posited.
He urged that people get the word out that now is the time to act if we are to leave a legacy worth having for the future generation.
“This Earth Day, as Guyana joins people of all nationalities and backgrounds, voicing appreciation for the planet and advocating for its protection, let us be proactive in taking action for a better world…start today for a better tomorrow,” Minister Persaud declared.
He further recognized that the Earth has been supporting life for millions of years, and people are intricately linked to the environment directly or indirectly, and depend on the plants and animals the environment sustains for food, clothing, shelter, water, air and all the necessities of life. Additionally, all these necessities are available to everyone free of charge.
“Let us show appreciation by demonstrating care and concern for the Earth, plant a tree, source and donate books on environmental issues to a library, co-ordinate a beautification activity, conserve energy and water, and utilize Earth’s resources wisely,” the Minister stated.
Guyanese are also encouraged to participate in activities co-ordinated by the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment or coordinate their own in areas where they live, work or play. Some of these include the Ministry’s Pick It Up Guyana campaign to “clean up” the garbage evident in all parts of the country, promote awareness and foster sound environmental values among citizens. These initiatives involve businesses, government offices and citizens from all walks of life working together to clean up the environment.
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