Gov't to place big focus on climate change

Saturday, January 14, 2012

NEWLY appointed Cabinet minister Robert Pickersgill wants the country to be sensitised about the importance of climate change, one of his portfolios. "I think it is fair to say that many Jamaicans are not as acquainted as they ought to be about the effects of climate change and how close we are to possible serious seasonal changes," said Pickersgill, the minister of water, land, environment and climate change.

He was responding to questions from reporters during a tour of the Meteorological Service of Jamaica in Kingston yesterday.

The minister said he has information that shows that on an annual basis weather-related problems amount to some $14 billion. "So if weather-related problems an annual basis can cost the country some $14 billion, if you do not do something to preserve the infrastructure, then you are just going around in circles," said Pickersgill.

He said the Climate Change Unit in the Meteorological Service of Jamaica would, therefore, be strengthened, but said he would have to await the recommendations of the Met Service's director, Jeffery Spooner. One of the possibilities, he said, is to have a board put in place... "because I want you to be much more manageable and accountable to the ministry.

Spooner presented the minister with a copy of Jamaica's report presented at the Second National Communication to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Durban last June. The report outlines problems that Jamaica faces with respect to climate change, including adaptation and mitigation. It also contains recommendations to the various sectors that are impacted and how they are to adapt and mitigate climate change issues.

Meanwhile, the minister said he would be meeting further with representatives of the National Water Commission (NWC) to be briefed on upcoming projects to be undertaken by the agency. "I met with the heads of the various departments. They have some interesting programmes that are going to come on stream. They are going to be laying out plans parish by parish," Pickersgill said.

The minister said that there are 63 constituencies and he is interested to hear of projects for each from the NWC.

Pickersgill also met with staff at the Environment and Land Management Division of the ministry.

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COMMENTS (5)

Noel Richards
1/14/2012

Do J'cans realize that the more cyar policy led to the large scale importation of older Japanese cars that were not certified to the new worldwide emissions standards. Those standards originated in California. When I visited JA in 2008, the first since 1983, the air in Kingston felt extremely dirty. All those particulates from too many autos are creating a legacy that J'cans will regret, but there are things that can be done to right the unenlightened policies that have dominated.

Noel Richards
1/14/2012

This from the man who was a major part of PJ's more cyar policy and was intimately involved in paving over more of JA with the "White Elephant" called Highway 2000. You know immediately that this is bogus because not one word is mentioned about partnering with the people who actually know more about environmental issues in JA than any Governmental Organization, Diana McCaulay (JET) and Wendy Lee. I know scientists from NOAA and NCAR here in Boulder, CO where most of the research is being done.

Nejeeper KNG
1/14/2012

This is good news but honestly “Gov't to place big focus on Garrisons/Crime” would be more significant at the moment. It is good to know the this Gov’t can place BIG FOCUS on any issues affecting JA however they are undermining solutions by not openly addressing garrisons and how it contributes to crime. Garrisons exist and JA will never progress until we get rid of the phenomenon and tackle crime with the intention of getting the guns off the street with harsh penalties for illegal possessions.

0o k
1/14/2012

Good News!

Fabian Williams
1/14/2012

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Gov't to place big focus on climate change