June 18, 2021

(CCCCC Press Release 2021/013)

(City of Belmopan, Belize) The USAID ESC Climate Symposium, continuing over the next two weeks, includes presentations and panel discussions to support the region’s preparation for COP 26 and is aimed at galvanizing cooperation and partnerships that will advance climate action within the region.

Scheduled featured participants include CARICOM, the U.S. Government, scientific climate experts, the private sector, government, civil society, academia, and youth organizations. The sessions will cover topics such regional and sectoral climate impacts, national and regional approaches to climate action, vulnerable groups and social inclusion, youth engagement in climate action, and climate finance.

During the first session held earlier this week, Climate Experts Explore Current Impacts and Future Projections of Climate Change, focused on interactions between climate change and people in the region while highlighting current, effective tools for addressing climate change impacts. The session featured climate science specialists from the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre, the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology, and the University of the West Indies.  During his presentation, Dr. Michael Taylor, Lecturer at the University of the West Indies (UWI), stressed “the three simple things that Caribbean climate science is telling us that we must pay attention to

Wise Up! – Our climate is already changing, and it is proving challenging.

Heads Up! – Our climate will continue to change in ways that are more than worrying.

Wake Up! – We have to act now for a livable Future.”

Dr.  Cédric Van Meerbeeck of CIMH presented on the trends, projections and early warnings of climate-related hazards in the OECS Region using illustrations of real-life scenarios.

Dr. Mar Bynoe, Assistant Executive Director of the CCCCC focused his presentation on the socio-economic context of Caribbean SIDS and related climate change impacts, opportunities presented by climate change to adapt and innovate as well as policy options.  According to him, “the future really rests in our hands …. It is time for us to cut some of the talk and start moving towards more action, and that action will require all hands-on deck. Each of us not only wising up but definitely putting our shoulders to the wheel.”

The full session can be viewed here.

Registration links for each session will be posted on the Centre’s website and social media pages as they become available.