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http://caribbeanclimateblog.com/tag/dizanne-billy/.

Climate health highlighted at COP21- A Trinidadian’s Perspective

DECEMBER 6, 2015 12:34 PM /1 COMMENT ON CLIMATE HEALTHHIGHLIGHTED AT COP21- A TRINIDADIAN’S PERSPECTIVE

 

“Climate change, and all of its dire consequences for health,

should be at centre-stage, right now, whenever talk turns to the

future of human civilizations. After all, that’s what’s at

stake.” –Dr Margaret Chan, Director-General, World Health

Organization

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Many Trinbagonians are proud to say that Trinidad and Tobago

is one of the wealthiest countries in the Caribbean Community

(CARICOM). Is this something to be pleased about?

The title is a reflection of our status as the main exporter of oil

and gas in the Caribbean region and the main producer of

liquefied natural gas in the Latin America and the Caribbean.

We depend heavily on the extraction of hydrocarbons as the

main source of income. After all, Trinidad and Tobago is ranked

second in the world for its carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions per

capita, producing an estimated 53 million tonnes of CO2

annually, with 80 per cent coming from the petrochemical and

power generation industry. The government needs to find more

sources of renewable energy. We emit the most amount of toxic

gases into the atmosphere in the Caribbean.

Climate change takes 400,000 lives per year and millions suffer

from flooding, diseases, malnourishment, and respiratory

problems due to climate change. This is both a threat and an

opportunity as it can push countries toward renewable energy.

For these reasons, COP21 has seen concern raised by medical

professionals regarding the effect climate change has on health.

Over 1,700 health organisations are supporting declarations

calling on world leaders in Paris to take a serious approach to

the escalating climate threats to human health. The

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demonstration follows amajor recent report inThe Lancet that

warned 50 years of global health improvements could be thrown

into reverse by climate change.

From Europe to the Americas and across Asia-Pacific,over

8,200 hospitals and health centers are already walking the talk:

divesting their fossil fuel assets, reducing their emissions, and

calling for action on climate change. Trinidad and Tobago needs

to step up its game. Stop allowing foreign oil and gas

companies to infiltrate our economy and reap benefits while the

environment suffers. Instead, we must affirm genuine

commitment to renewable energy. It simply makes sense,

renewable energy is clean energy.

The government’s aim of 10% renewable energy by 2021 is a

start but much more needs to be done. We need healthier, more

sustainable cities and the most effective way of quickening up

the process is for governments at COP21 to make strong

commitments on adeadline for a full phase out of fossil fuels,

and agreeing to regularly review and increase national ambition

to reach that goal.

In Trinidad and Tobago, emphasis needs to be placed on

research and development into the feasibility of various sources

of renewable energy and implementation needs to occur

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quickly. Sensitisation of the local citizens is key, as difficulty in

transition also comes from the fact that as an oil and gas-

producing country, energy costs in Trinidad and Tobago are

extremely low. So it should not be surprising that solar, wind,

and hydropower energy are catching on in other islands of the

Caribbean where electricity is up to six times more expensive

than in Trinidad and Tobago.

The world is shifting toward renewable energy, fossil fuels

remain in the past. As we look toward development, Trinidad

and Tobago should eventually follow the trend set by the rest of

the region.

Written by – Dizzanne Billy

Dizzanne Billy, 24, operates in the role of President of

the Caribbean Youth Environment Network

(CYEN) in Trinidad and Tobago , where she works in the

areas of education and public awareness with regard to

environment and development issues. She is a climate

tracker with Adopt-A-Negotiator and a young advocate for

climate change action.