Jamaica Observer column published 4 December 2023
by Jean Lowrie-Chin
When our children were little, our Saturday ritual was an early morning a visit to Hellshire Beach. Our little ones would play in the sand, wade at the edge of the water and enjoy the soft morning sun. That beach has now disappeared. The hut where we bought fish and festival, several metres from the shoreline, is now at its edge. There are similar stories all around the island and yet we continue to be cavalier about climate change.
Environmentalists like Eleanor Jones, founder of Environmental Solutions and Diana McCauley. Founder of Jamaica Environment Trust have been schooling us and warning us about Jamaica's vulnerability as a member of 'small island developing states' (SIDS).
It is encouraging that Jamaica and our Caribbean neighbours are well represented at COP28, happening now till December 12 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Conference of the Parties (COP) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is an international climate summit, which has been held mostly annually over the past thirty years.
The conferences have yielded steps towards mitigating the effects of climate change, including the Kyoto Protocol for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in 1997 and the Paris Agreement adopted in 2015. With 195 signatories in the following year, the Paris Agreement, "mobilized global collective action to limit the global temperature increase to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels by 2100, and to act to adapt to the already existing effects of climate change."
This year's COP28 with its theme, "Unite. Act. Deliver" is taking place as our planet and our own Jamaica have been recording our warmest temperatures. This is the harbinger of forest fires, floods, a clear and present danger to food security. After a long dry summer and then two short days of flood rains, our farmers are suffering from repeated bouts of damaged crops.
Developed countries are responsible for some 98 percent of greenhouse gas emissions but it is the developing countries that are suffering most from them. Billions were pledged over the past four days to address this, while a number of large fossil fuel (oil/gas) companies pledged to reduce methane emissions to a minimal level by 2030.
"Extreme weather is destroying lives and livelihoods on a daily basis – underlining the imperative need to ensure that everyone is protected by early warning services," said Prof. Petteri Taalas, Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization which has raised an alarm at the rapidly melting glaciers around Antarctica, resulting in rising sea levels.
With our resort towns, farms and fisheries at risk, Jamaica and our faithful investors have an important role in holding the countries and companies to the pledges coming out of COP28.
Jamaica rates high for tourist safety
On a positive note, Jamaica has been rated as one of the safest Caribbean and Latin American destinations by the renowned Gallup Inc. According to its findings from a survey in 141 states, Jamaica scored 75 out of 100, "coming slightly ahead of the US territory of Puerto Rico at 74; followed by Brazil, 73; Argentina, 70; Mexico, 66; Venezuela, 66; the Dominican Republic, 64; Peru, 61; and Ecuador, 59."
The report published in the Jamaica Observer also noted: "According to [Tourism Minister Edmund] Bartlett, 1.05 million airline seats have been secured from nearly 6,000 flights coming into the island out of the United States — Jamaica's biggest source market — during the winter season which begins on December 15. The surge in airlift, he said, represents an increase of 13 per cent over winter 2022/2023, when Jamaica recorded 923,000 airline seats."
Posting on social media over the weekend, a euphoric Bartlett wrote, "Jamaica wins big at World Travel Awards 30th Anniversary Banquet in Dubai tonight. Minister Bartlett received on behalf of Jamaica, two awards: World leading Family Destination and World Leading Cruise Destination! So proud of the great piece of Rock I represent - JAMAICA."
With our continued success in the industry, last Friday MBJ Airports Limited welcomed the inaugural flight of Norse Atlantic Airlines from London (Gatwick), UK. Shane Munroe, CEO of MBJ Airports remarked that Jamaica was "one of their first international destinations. Our aim is to foster your growth; recognizing that you are a new airline, we are thrilled to partner with you and establish a mutually beneficial relationship going forward."
The inaugural flight had 185 passengers on board, including notable representatives from the UK and Nordic consumer press, Commercial Director at Norse Atlantic Airways, Baard Nordhagen and Torrance Lewis, JTB UK's District Sales Manager.
Daryl Vaz, Minister of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport noted, "This is a significant milestone in the relentless and collaborative efforts that have gone into connecting two diverse, culturally rich regions by the key stakeholders in the aviation industry."
Guyana's sudden attraction
All was quiet around the border shared by Venezuela and Guyana until the latter struck oil and gas; then a deluge of investors descended on the country. Suddenly, Venezuela announced that it was contesting a previous ruling on the legal border between the two countries and would be holding a referendum on December third on the matter.
Last Friday the International Court, the United Nations' top court, ordered Venezuela not to take any action that would alter Guyana's control over the disputed territory, the 160,000 square kilometre Essequibo territory, but did not order a ban on Venezuela's planned referendum on the territory's future held yesterday.
Both Guyana's President Irfaan Ali and Venezuelan Vice-President Delcy Rodriguez described the decision as a victory. By the time this column is published, we would have heard the results of the Referendum which have neighbouring states and CARICOM on tenterhooks.
In a Jamaica Observer report Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Kamina Johnson Smith was quoted as saying, "The Government of Jamaica remains firmly committed to the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, as enshrined in the United Nations Charter. Jamaica fully supports the work of the ICJ and its ability to deliver justice where there is breach of the United Nations' founding principles in an impartial, transparent, and independent manner. In this regard, Guyana can continue to count on Jamaica's support of the Caricom position in defence of its sovereign rights and territorial integrity."
Mercy for Haitian refugees
The responses from Portland residents regarding the treatment of Haitian refugees have been interesting. Erica Curtis was quoted on the news that we should have a more Christian-like approach to the Haitians, accepting them as 'That's what Jesus says.'
One can understand the resistance of some Jamaicans to this approach as there have been frightening reports on gang warfare in Haiti. However please remember that headlines do not always tell the full story on a country and its people. Haiti is far ahead of us in art, craft and iron works. They carve expressive figures even from the smallest pieces of wood. One is greeted by exquisite iron designs at the airport.
With Jamaica facing a labour shortage, perhaps there may be promising workers among those who are fleeing Haiti. They should be given a chance.
Jean Lowrie-Chin is Executive Chair of PROComm, PRODEV and CCRP
No comments:
Post a Comment