Jagdeo: No sense of urgency regarding climate change policy

The Caribbean lacks a sense of urgency in policy change towards agricultural sustainability and climate change, former Guyanese president Bharrat Jagdeo said yesterday.

Jagdeo was feature speaker at the official launch of The University of the West Indies, St Augustine Campus’ two newest faculties—the Faculty of Food and Agriculture and the Faculty of Science and Technology.

“Funding for agriculture and science and technology do not take place in a vacuum; they will grow if society grows. They are linked. The entire future and development strategies for the region are linked to our future well-being in science and technology and agriculture,” he said. 

Every leader speaks about climate change, especially after a natural disaster, and then promptly forgets about it when the economy gets back on track, Jagdeo added. 

“These are some of the things we need to address urgently. One catastrophic event in a small island state can wipe out 200 years of exports—how can you plan economic and social capital if a single event has a systemic impact on your country?” 

To read more, Jagdeo: No sense of urgency regarding climate change policy 

Adapted from the Trinidad Express