CARIMAC Times 2016: The JREAM Edition Journalists Reviving Awareness of what Matters | Page 167

Daley noted, however, that the circumstances
under which the agreement was accepted were
not in favour of small-island states, considering
the fact that much of the impact affects such
nations to greater extent.
He explained that despite the fact that smallisland states, such as those in the Caribbean,
contribute minimally to greenhouse gas
emissions, countries that contribute to a greater
extent, refused to acquiesce to compensation
for small-island states.
As a result, he said issues relating to compensation
and associated liability of developed states are
vaguely covered in the agreement.
Lindo shared his belief, based on current
patterns, that Jamaica and other Caribbean
territories will have experienced ‘climate
departure’ by the 2030, which coincides with
Jamaica’s National Development Goal initiative,
Vision 2030.
Climate departure refers to a phenomenon in
which the climate of a region drastically moves
outside of what has been obtained historically,
thus exposing it to unexpected anomalies in
nature.
Ingredients to adapt
Dr. Orville Grey, the technical officer in the
Government’s Climate Change Division noted
that government policies and programmes
are also necessary, as it relates to forestry
management; replacing non-renewable
energy sources with renewable energy sources;
stimulating equitable distribution of resources;
and making development goals gender sensitive.
Douglas said he believes the Ministry of Agriculture
and Fisheries should play a significant role in

combating climate change. But, he claimed, the
ministry tends to only make empty promises.
He also highlighted that several infrastructural
features were not in place.
“The ministry has claimed that they would
help us farmers who the drought has severely
impacted, by giving us black tanks and by
trucking of water to us. Well, some of us don’t
have the capital resources so we are dependent
on them to help us,” Douglas continued.
Many farmers are still waiting on assistance.
Douglas said farmers in his community are not
well prepared and help is not readily available.
He estimated that the level of readiness among
farmers in McNie District is between 40 and
60 per cent.
Lindo stated that much will depend on how
Caribbean nations pull together an d share
experiences to adapt to changing conditions.
Larger countries such as China and the United
States that have pledged before to help the
developing world through funding, have yet
to fulfil their promise with regard to the now
defunct Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Sustainable development, a new-age mantra for
using resources to meet the needs of current
generations without compromising the ability
of future generations to do the same, is the
essence of the climate change movement.
But above all, the small islands need the world’s
biggest polluters to clean up, Dr. Taylor said.
Jamaica and other small-island developing
states need temperature rises of below “one
point five [degrees Celsius] to stay alive” as
prosperous nations.

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