RUSHTON PARAY
I WRITE to urgently address the critical issue of climate change in TT - a matter that demands immediate attention and decisive action. As a small-island developing state heavily dependent on revenue from oil and gas, our nation is facing significant challenges that stem from the effects of global climate change, particularly the alarming increase in flooding, property damage, and threats to agriculture and livestock.
It is disheartening to witness the lack of tangible efforts by the Government to tackle the imminent climate crisis that looms over our nation. Despite the clear and undeniable risks to our infrastructure and overall well-being, we cannot afford to stand idle any longer. We must develop and implement a comprehensive plan of action that prioritises renewable energy, sustainable practices and adaptation measures in order to secure a sustainable future for our beloved country.
At the forefront of this plan is the urgent need to address our vulnerability to flooding. The devastating impact of flooding extends far beyond property damage - it leads to food inflation, destruction of agriculture and livestock, and loss of livelihoods.
By implementing an effective flood management strategy, we can minimise these dire consequences. This strategy must include enhancing existing drainage systems, retention and detention ponds, conducting regular maintenance of waterways, and investing in preventive measures to ensure optimal water flow.
Moreover, our agricultural sector, a vital component of our economy and food security, is at great risk due to climate change. To mitigate these risks, we must encourage our farmers to adopt climate-smart agricultural techniques.
By promoting practices such as conservation farming and agroforestry, we can build resilience in our agricultural systems, diversify our crops, and safeguard our food production from the impacts of climate change. Providing necessary training programmes and financial incentives to farmers will play a crucial role in facilitating this transition.
TT possesses a remarkable advantage when it comes to renewable energy generation. With abundant solar and wind resources and a large tertiary-educated population, we have the potential to become leaders in the field of renewable energy. It is imperative that we capitalise on these favourable conditions and invest heavily in renewable energy infrastructure.
By prioritising the development of solar and wind projects, implementing supportive policies and incentives, and attracting foreign direct investment in the green economy, we can significantly reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.
Furthermore, the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) presents a promising avenue to combat emissions from the transportation sector. It is high time that we embrace this transition by (re)introducing incentives and subsidies for EV purchases, establishing a comprehensive charging infrastructure, and supporting research and development in EV technology.
