Act against climate change Guyana

Global warming is NOW

Our planet has already warmed by 0.8°C sincethe industrial revolution in the 1800s. Thiswarming is expected to continue by to aTotal of 2°C by 2050 ... in 35 years. (WorldBank,2012)

Consider

... with an increase in temperature by only 0.8°C we are already experiencing many impacts.

Sea level isrising in numerousplaces around theworld – as manyGuyanese are wellaware. Other parts ofthe world are alsoaffected such asIndonesia andPhilppines to namea few.

There is an increase in Severity and unpredictability ofstorms such asHurricane Sandyin New York.

The NorthAmerican ArcticBlast brought unusualcold and snow in forthe last 2 consequetiveyears.

Increasinglyfrequent andsevere bush fires inNorth America and Australia.

• Prolonged drought in parts of South America including Brazil, in California and other parts of the world

WHY?

DEFORESTATION – very applicable to Guyana

INDUSTRY (run by fossil fuels)

OIL INDUSTRY (fossil fuels)

TOO MANY CARS (powered by fossil fuels)- applicable to many Guyanese

INCREASED GLOBAL SHIPPING (run on fossil fuels)- Applicable to Guyanese,

who depend heavily on imports

Landfills (methane production)- very applicable to Guyana

LIVESTOCK (methane production)- very applicable ot Guyana

FLOODED RICE FIELDS (methane production)Very applicable to Guyana

Plus

The increase in carbon dioxide

also make the oceans more

acidic - meaning damage to coral

reefs. Loss of these reefs could

Mean disaster for the global

Fishing industry and thousands

of livelihoods.

POSSIBLY EXTINCT

Greenhouse gasses such as carbon

dioxide and methane are major

contributors to global warming.

These were just a few examples

Business as usual

• Continuing are we are now is projected to bring a 2°C increase in 35 years.

• So what would the cost be?

Extreme dryconditions andextreme wetconditions –DROUGHTS andFLOODSworldwide. (Less food and flooded homes)

• Melting ice sheets. Increased sea levels up to 4 m – (disasterous for many coastal cities including Georgetown, Guyana‘s capital)

• Less places for polar bears to live

Drier conditions – DROUGHTS.

Many South American countries already experience this. (Less food for people in these areas – starvation and famine)

• The spread of pests and diseases into new areas

Business as usual

• Wetter rainy season and drier dry season in many places – severe floodings and droughts)

• Forest fires in Amazon and other forests (loss of valuable animals and plants that may hold the cure to cancer and other diseases).

Business as usual

• A decline in crop productivity, mainly in tropical regions such as ours (less food locally and internationally)

More Business as usual• Continuing on our current path is expected to bring 4°C warming in 85 years

• Impacts would be much more severe

• The Amazon rainforest is expected to die off at over 2°C warming, leading to unstoppable chain reaction where all the stored carbon released from dead trees released would accelerate the warming process.)

More business as usual• Complete melting of ice sheets(Greenland and

Antartica)

• Significant sea level rise – our capital city and our entire coastal strip, where most of us live, could become unsuitable for habitation because of flooding and higher waves in stormy events. Our freshwater reservoirs contaminated with salt.

• Severe heat stress, worse in Guyana and other tropical countries (people wouldnt be able to work or play outside as used to)

• Extreme droughts

So ...• Would you look at another gas guzzling car the

same way again?

• Would you look at another fossil fuelled power plant the same way again or consume electricity without thinking?

• Would you drive your car to visit a friend who lives around the corner or join the queue of traffic to work when you can take the bus or train?

• Would you constantly buy food and goods you don‘t really need from the other side of the world?

• Would you have your entire house lit up even if you only use one room?

You think you don‘t make a difference?

• What if 6 billion people thought the same?

• Could you accept that you are one of 6 billion that did nothing?

Every person can, should, must...

• Plant a tree, plant lots of trees.

• Walk or cycle instead of driving. Or use public transport like the bus whenever possible.

Reducedependencyon importsand buy local

Reduce use of fossil fuelled energy. Turn off lights in unoccupied rooms, buy efficient electronics.

•Try to use solar or wind energy.

• Support / push collaborative action towards greener policies in Guyana.

• Educate and encourage others, start a group.

• Let others know how you are doing your part.

Guyana policy makers could

Prepare for expectedimpacts:

• Build and or adapt infrastructure for changes projected in Guyana. Build / improve water sluices and embankment strengthening for high flow events. Improve the entire coastal drainage system

Strengthen our sea defences where feasible

Invest in storage and irrigation for much drier spells. Research drought-tolerant crops. Improve water conservation.

Learn from best practicesin successful countries.

• Make studies and assessments.

• If necessary make plans to move vulnerable settlements away from areas threatened by sea level rises and severe floods

• Promote no till agriculture (ploughing releases greenhouse gasses and involves use of fuel burning machinery)

• Promote dry rice growing methods

Guyana government could

• Enforce greener policies to reduce Guyana‘s emmissions, such as investing in green energy schemes.

• At same time find ways to actively capture carbon such as tree planting schemes

• Sustain capturing of carbon such as saltwater marshes and forest protection

Promoteeducation ofpopulationin ways toreduce carbonfootprint andprotect theenvironment

Convinced?

Great! Join the thousands and

hopefully millions in doing

your part.

Still skeptical?

• Want to ignore all the science and unusual weather events

• OK

• Would you bet the future of the place we call home on your skepticism?

• Do you have another planet in mind?

References

• The World Bank 2012. Turn Down the Heat. Why a 4° Warmer World Must be Avoided.

• www.wikipedia.org

• Pictures obtained from Pixabay.com