Climate change, a major concern for TT

In his address at the closing ceremony of BHP Billiton’s Climate Change Capacity Building Programme on April 26, he stated, “wherever you may stand, the reality is evident throughout Trinidad and Tobago and it is something that we have to address.” Focusing on the issue of capacity building, Minister Rambharat highlighted the need to educate, certify and build capacity to have people who are stronger and more capable of managing their own affairs.

“I have seen the beauty of our country; but more importantly I have seen the need for us to appreciate it, treasure it and protect it.” Calling attention to the collaborative work of bpTT and Atlantic LNG in the Matura community, the Minister said, “it is amazing to see how the community has been galvanized into action, voluntarily giving off their time.” Vincent Pereira, President of BHP Billiton Trinidad and Tobago noted that the Climate Change Programme represented a milestone for the company with projects that were, “targeted at the more vulnerable communities in Trinidad and Tobago.” Emphasizing his company’s social investment in line with their values, Pereira stated, “it is our hope that you will all be inspired to feel the endearing desire and awesome responsibility that all of us as citizens, of not just Trinidad and Tobago but of the world, must feel towards protecting the environment and preserving it in the face of climate change.” We are proud, he continued, to be part of a cross-section of organisations together working in partnership to address emerging critical issues with regard to climate change. The five participating organisations are Environmental Research Institute Charlotteville; Environment Tobago; Turtle Village Trust; Caribbean Youth Environment Network Trinidad and Tobago Chapter; and Fondes Amandes Community Reforestation Project.

Other speakers included Nicole Leotaud, Executive Director, Caribbean Natural Resources Institute (CANARI).

In the audience were Mayor of Port-of-Spain Joel Martinez; Member of Parliament for Mayaro Rushton Paray, Joel Primus of bpTT and others.

In October 2015, BHP Billiton Trinidad and Tobago, in partnership with Conservation International (CI) and the Caribbean Natural Resources Institute (CANARI), launched the Action by Civil society in Trinidad and Tobago to build resilience to climate change (Climate ACTT) program.