A REPRESENTATIVE of Jamaica’s Climate Change Division (CCD) has noted the intention to support the use of the recently published special report on 1.5 degrees Celsius of global warming to inform policy and planning in Jamaica.
“I consider science as foundational in our decision-making processes, because it provides the evidence and information necessary for effective, efficient and appropriate action. Where climate change is concerned, this is especially important as we are in uncharted territory,” said Le-Anne Roper, senior technical officer for adaptation in the CCD.
“The IPCC special report was and is one of the most groundbreaking pieces of work for small island developing states like us, providing justification to our demands for greater action since it’s our lives at stake. It also is important because some of our scientists from the Caribbean, among whom is Prof Michael Taylor from UWI Mona, made significant contributions to the body of work, including as lead author,” she added.
Roper noted that was despite what some felt were a tepid reception of the report developed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change at the global climate talks, held in Poland in December.
“The lack of consensus on stronger language to welcome the report and its findings was disappointing, but nonetheless, we hope that parties welcoming its completion – and it being among the ‘best available science’, will influence current and future work under the Climate Change Convention and the Paris Agreement – to our benefit. We will certainly continue to advocate for its use in decisions henceforth,” she said.
Leave A Comment