Devise strategies on climate change

“I do not feel or get this sense of heightened urgency within the Caribbean as it relates to climate change and coastal erosion at the level of Governments of the Caribbean and its citizenry...

You, our young people, must become the vanguard because your parents and your grandparents will not suffer from the negatives of climate change.

You, your children and your grandchildren are the ones that will suffer so you have a vested interest in doing right to this environment of ours,” he said.

“It can no longer be left up to adults who often are more concerned about political goals rather than human and environmental concerns,” he added.

He noted that, at the 15th Meeting of Presidents and Governors- General of the Caribbean Region in Antigua and Barbuda, Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador on Climate Change and Director of the country’s Environment Department, Diann Black- Layne, said that by the year 2100, 149 Resorts, major revenue earners in the Caribbean, would be at grave risk of “total inundation.” The Adventurous Journey, one aspect of the Duke of Edinburgh International Awards, will take place in Trinidad and Tobago next week.

One hundred and fifty-one participants from various Caribbean countries, including Bahamas, Barbados, Cayman Islands, Grenada, Guyana, Bermuda, St Vincent, St Lucia and TT, will delve into this country’s rainforests as part of that journey.

Carmona expressed that hope that their journey into TT’s rainforests would inspire them to flight for nature, in any small way they can, in their own countries.

“Sustainable environment security must become an individual and collective responsibility of the young people… Often, we tend to dismiss the power of one, but you can become an advocate for the environment in your home, schools, communities and your country inspiring real environmental change,” he said.

Chairman of the Caribbean Award Sub-regional Council, Stephen Smith, noted that the Adventurous Journey was a requirement for the participant’s achieving a Gold in the Duke of Edinburgh International Awards.

He explained there were four components of each award – service, skill, community service, and sport – with varying time frames and degrees of difficulty which determine whether participants would achieve the Bronze, Silver or Gold Awards.