Dear Editor,
April 2016 has been recognised by NASA as the hottest month on record, but I believe that the month of May is headed for the title.
With each day getting hotter and hotter, it has dawned on me that the enormity of global warming has become extremely daunting and dispiriting.
Global warming continues to be a hot topic not only regionally but internationally, and the taunting heat, the disappearing beaches and the bleaching corals continue to provide the evidence needed to validate the importance of both individual and governmental interventions in tackling the issues. Even though some may think that climate change is too big of an issue to be tackled on an individual basis, there are actually personal lifestyle changes that you can make that, in some combination, can help reduce your carbon impact.
Not all are right for everybody. Some you may already be doing or absolutely abhor. But implementing just a few of them could make a stark difference, such as using energy-efficient bulbs, unplugging your gadgets when not in use, carpooling, buying local food, planting trees, recycling, among myriad other actions.
Especially in light of the fact that there is now no environmental ministry, my worst fear as an environmentalist is that there will be a scant disregard for the imminent threat climate change poses to our country, to our people, and the future of our children. An overwhelming number of scientists agree and signs abound that climate change is occurring much faster than was initially predicted. We have only a few critical years before the changes become irreversible.
Approximately 2,000 scientists contributing to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change have made it clear that cuts of at least 50 per cent to 70 per cent in global greenhouse gas emissions are necessary to allow our climate to restabilise. Although small island developing states like Jamaica are not amongst the major contributors to the problem, we are feeling the effects and the Government should be making every effort to reduce our contributions to the pool of greenhouse gas emissions – now.
Specifically, I believe the Government should address the issues below, along with the continued education of the public on what they can do as individuals to help combat the effects of climate change:
* Reduce carbon dioxide emissions from coal-fired power plants;
* Reduce emissions from the transport sector;
* Fund initiatives for alternative and renewable energy technology;
* Provide incentives for the uptake of renewable energy; and
* Remove subsidies for fossil-based fuel sources.
To secure a future for our nation and our children, now is the time to set a new and positive direction for our national energy and environmental policies. We need policies that will lead our nation away from fossil-based fuels. Our addiction to fossil fuel harms human health, causes global warming, degrades land and marine ecosystems, and pollutes the earth.
We need energy systems that provide clean, renewable, and reliable energy that does not threaten human health or the environment.
I understand that focusing on climate change is just one of many issues during these challenging times. However, we cannot wait until tomorrow; we must take strong action now to address the multiplicity of issues that climate change poses.
Juvelle Taylor
Montego Bay
juvelle.taylor@yahoo.com
April 2016 has been recognised by NASA as the hottest month on record, but I believe that the month of May is headed for the title.
With each day getting hotter and hotter, it has dawned on me that the enormity of global warming has become extremely daunting and dispiriting.
Global warming continues to be a hot topic not only regionally but internationally, and the taunting heat, the disappearing beaches and the bleaching corals continue to provide the evidence needed to validate the importance of both individual and governmental interventions in tackling the issues. Even though some may think that climate change is too big of an issue to be tackled on an individual basis, there are actually personal lifestyle changes that you can make that, in some combination, can help reduce your carbon impact.
Not all are right for everybody. Some you may already be doing or absolutely abhor. But implementing just a few of them could make a stark difference, such as using energy-efficient bulbs, unplugging your gadgets when not in use, carpooling, buying local food, planting trees, recycling, among myriad other actions.
Especially in light of the fact that there is now no environmental ministry, my worst fear as an environmentalist is that there will be a scant disregard for the imminent threat climate change poses to our country, to our people, and the future of our children. An overwhelming number of scientists agree and signs abound that climate change is occurring much faster than was initially predicted. We have only a few critical years before the changes become irreversible.
Approximately 2,000 scientists contributing to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change have made it clear that cuts of at least 50 per cent to 70 per cent in global greenhouse gas emissions are necessary to allow our climate to restabilise. Although small island developing states like Jamaica are not amongst the major contributors to the problem, we are feeling the effects and the Government should be making every effort to reduce our contributions to the pool of greenhouse gas emissions – now.
Specifically, I believe the Government should address the issues below, along with the continued education of the public on what they can do as individuals to help combat the effects of climate change:
* Reduce carbon dioxide emissions from coal-fired power plants;
* Reduce emissions from the transport sector;
* Fund initiatives for alternative and renewable energy technology;
* Provide incentives for the uptake of renewable energy; and
* Remove subsidies for fossil-based fuel sources.
To secure a future for our nation and our children, now is the time to set a new and positive direction for our national energy and environmental policies. We need policies that will lead our nation away from fossil-based fuels. Our addiction to fossil fuel harms human health, causes global warming, degrades land and marine ecosystems, and pollutes the earth.
We need energy systems that provide clean, renewable, and reliable energy that does not threaten human health or the environment.
I understand that focusing on climate change is just one of many issues during these challenging times. However, we cannot wait until tomorrow; we must take strong action now to address the multiplicity of issues that climate change poses.
Juvelle Taylor
Montego Bay
juvelle.taylor@yahoo.com