Caribbean leaders sign communiqué for protection of environment
The Territory hosted the summit in conjunction with the Government of Grenada and Virgin Unite, which represents Phase II of the Caribbean Challenge Initiative which has seen governments and business leaders set a new course for the region’s marine and coastal environment.
The Caribbean leaders have agreed to have at least 20 percent of their country designated marine reserves by 2020, even though some of the participating countries have already achieved that amount.
Speaking to reporters on Necker Island yesterday, May 17, 2013 where the conference for government leaders, the private sector and other individuals concerned with the protection of the environment met, Richard Branson said it was decided at the Summit that there is an urgent need to protect sharks and stingrays across the Caribbean region and the aim will be to protect all of them within two years.
He also said it was agreed for the need to establish a clear regulatory framework that delivers a systemic and regional approach to conservation and marine and costal environment, including considering have more marine protected areas; and a dramatic acceleration in the transition from fossil fuels to alternative energy sources over the next five years.
Grenada Prime Minister, Dr Keith Mitchell said the Summit provided a unique opportunity for the private sector, governments, NGOs, and other individuals to be involved in a process so important to the survival of the region.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Dr the Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering said for the Virgin Islands and the wider Caribbean “our environment is our livelihood and as the Minister responsible for the environment I continually say there is no tourism without the environment because people come to our country and those in the wider Caribbean for the environment and it is critical that we put the pieces together to make it sustainable for the long term.”
It was noted that there are many challenges to the environment especially due to climate change and ocean acidification due to greenhouse gases and since the region was heavily dependent on tourism, there was need for strong steps to protect its natural resources.
The Summit saw participation from the governments of Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The political leaders were joined by corporate leaders and international partners.
The leaders have pledged actions towards the preservation of the environment and have acknowledged the importance of the marine environment to the region and to its people.
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27 Responses to “Caribbean leaders sign communiqué for protection of environment”
Also, they think that 5 fingers, dead mans chest are considered park when they are basically inaccessable. True parks come where people can use and appreciate them while protecting them. 20% is nothing when you are talking rocks in the ocean!!
NO surprise hearing the usual bs and rubbish from you. Pickering and Smith are two black local J.....s so they can't read and understand what they signed right? Let's get some giddy white folks on board and let them read for us since we aren't capable of doing that. GTFOH with your BS for godsake. Nobody's taking on your bs. Damned if you do damned if you don't. Sick b...h.
that only comes with hard choices in projects chosen. I hope Pickering does believe that. Let's officially protect beaches like St John.
That scientists everywhere are saying we need to take urgent action or the whole human race is in serious trouble? (that's you and your offspring, too).
That life in the oceans is literally collapsing all around the world?
Do you care?
Do you have any solutions?
Or are you too busy focusing on your 'us' and 'them' whining to take any notice of the big picture?
No environmentalist I ever met - white, black, BVIslander or foreign - wants to turn these islands into a bird sanctuary or anything similar. They are looking for serious solutions that benefit the environment and all the people who live in it.
Meanwhile you're making up conspiracies to forward an agenda based on race and division. It's a dangerous approach to set of very serious problems.