--Persaud assures Linden residents
By Sarada Singh
Guyana Chronicle, 24 March 2008
http://www.guyanachronicle.com
AGRICULTURE Minister Robert Persaud delivering brief remarks at the
Linden Constabulary Hall on the occasion of World Meteorological Day
yesterday assured the gathering that government has recognised the
impact of climate change and has undertaken several measures to deal
with the issue.
Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud (second right), Regional
Chairman Mr. Mortimer Mingo (right) and an official from the
Agriculture Ministry interacting with residents of Linden yesterday.
(Photo by Carl Croker)
He noted that climate change is causing a major shift in our way of
life, be it at home, in the field or at work.
As such, he exhorted that people have to learn to adapt to different
residential locations because of the changing weather patterns. “We
have to modify our cropping pattern, our technologies and much more,”
he stressed.
Citing a recent example the minister referred to the overtopping on the
East Coast where 90% of the population is located and approximately 85%
of the activities take place.
Persaud yesterday met with residents of Region 10 (Upper
Demerara/Berbice) to commemorate the occasion under the theme,
“observing our planet for a better future”.
This year’s observance was held under the theme, “Observing our planet
for a better future,” and featured the launching of an ozone activity
booklet entitled, “Save our sky” provided by the World Meteorological
Organisation (WMO) which encompasses a compilation of several natural
hazards around the world.
According to the minister the situation on the East Coast emerged from
the current La Nina condition associated with easterly gusty winds
combined with the low pressure system in the Atlantic that is
generating wave action causing abnormal swells and excessive high tides
affecting the Caribbean.
Persaud also advocated the support of farmers/loggers during this
period by complying with the relevant authorities whenever advisories
are being issued in ensuring the safety of every individual.
More so, he noted that some $13.5 M has been allocated for the
well-being of farmers in the Region.
The minister added that the process of getting the entire sector to
understand and prepare for the fallouts caused by climate change on
agriculture will have to be accelerated. “Nations such as ours must
intensify lobbying of those responsible for the greatest contributions
to global warming and climate change causing them to change their
attitude. They must recognize that they have a moral obligation to help
the countries that are affected most by global warming, countries like
ours that lie below a rising sea level and with limited resources to
defend ourselves against damages caused not by us but contributed by
others with greater economic wealth,” Persaud said.
“We also in Guyana, are now confronted with and are experiencing an
inconvenient reality,” the minister pointed out.
Chief Hydromeoteorological Officer (ag) Ms. Bhaleka Seulall noted that
this year’s theme is by no means a casual occurrence referring to the
year that has elapsed since the previous World Meteorological Day where
a number of crucial events have occurred, all of which have strongly
emphasised the vital and unprecedented relevance of global
observations.
She added that the provision of weather, climate and water-related
information is essential to support the socio-economic activities, such
as agriculture, transport, mining, energy production, aviation and
water resources management, all of which are crucial for the growth and
development in any country.
Ms. Seulall also appealed to the Guyanese community to contribute a few
minutes of their time so as to ensure that the Hydrometeorological
Service can effectively expand the weather, climate and water database
which will ultimately aid in improving weather predictions both locally
and internationally.
“We should begin to act locally and think globally,” she acknowledged.
World Meteorological Day celebrates the convention of the World
Meteorological Organisation (WMO) which was entered into force on March
23, 1950, a date that is celebrated annually by the meteorological
community.
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