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'ONE BVI' human-chain brings Climate Change in focus for Irma Anniversary

September 9th, 2018 | Tags: Long Bay beach Beef Island
An aerial view of the Long Bay Beach at Beef Islands where participants are picture forming the 'ONE BVI' to mark the one year anniversary for Hurricane Irma. Photo: Aerial Produced
 A human chain etched ‘ONE BVI’ in the sands of the Long Bay Beach at Beef Island as part of the Territory’s one year observance activities marking the passage of Hurricane Irma on September 6, 2017. Photo: TRD Systems & Mapping
A human chain etched ‘ONE BVI’ in the sands of the Long Bay Beach at Beef Island as part of the Territory’s one year observance activities marking the passage of Hurricane Irma on September 6, 2017. Photo: TRD Systems & Mapping
Residents joined with leaders at the Long Bay Beach, at Beef Island, to form a human chain, 'ONE BVI' as part of the Territory’s one year observance activities, marking the passage of Hurricane Irma on September 6, 2017. Photo: Facebook
Residents joined with leaders at the Long Bay Beach, at Beef Island, to form a human chain, 'ONE BVI' as part of the Territory’s one year observance activities, marking the passage of Hurricane Irma on September 6, 2017. Photo: Facebook
Remembering Irma at Long Bay Beach. Photo: Facebook
Remembering Irma at Long Bay Beach. Photo: Facebook
LONG BAY BEACH, Beef Island, VI - A human chain embossed ‘ONE BVI,’ in the sands of Long Bay Beach, at Beef Island, to form part of the Territory’s one-year observance activities, marking the passage of Hurricane Irma on September 6, 2017.

The activity held on Saturday, September 8, 2018, saw in attendance, Premier Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL) and Deputy Premier Dr the Honourable, Kedrick D. Pickering (R7), among others.  

A Year Ago

Addressing the small gathering of residents who participated in the event, Dr Pickering used the occasion to again speak primarily to the ever growing threat of Climate Change and the role the Territory can serve in mitigation efforts globally.

“The idea behind this gathering this afternoon,” he said, “is to bring attention not only to the anniversary of Irma but to the effects of climate change.”

 Marvelling at “how beautiful this beach is today,” Dr Pickering recalled, “one year ago, today, I came to this beach here and when I got to this point I just turned right back…I was so despondent and despaired that I just could not believe that there was any hope left for us.”

Present Danger

He used the occasion to also draw reference to storms “right out in the Atlantic Ocean,” and outlined that “the world in which we live in is now one that is dominated by the effects of the change in the climate around us and it is important for us to continually remember that it is islands like us that are going to suffer the most from the effects.”

On the matter of mitigation efforts, Dr Pickering was adamant, “…we continually raise the anthem and let people understand that the decision makers in the big countries have to do something to negate the effects of climate change, make our voices heard...we must never ever think that because we are small we can't make our voices heard.”

Raised Voices

As such, the Deputy Premier noted—in reference to the main activity—“if  we only continue to raise our voices and do things like what we just did here to make it symbolic, we will continue to get the attention of the world and the bigger countries that are emitting gases into the atmosphere, that are raising the (global) temperature.”

On September 6, 2017, Hurricane Irma struck the VI as a Category 5 hurricane resulting in damages exceeding the Territory’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The hurricane caused widespread damage to the housing stock, road infrastructure, ports, telecommunications, electrical infrastructure and critical facilities.

Four lives were lost and at least 125 persons were injured in the devastation.

10 Responses to “'ONE BVI' human-chain brings Climate Change in focus for Irma Anniversary ”

  • Jimmy smith (09/09/2018, 13:21) Like (22) Dislike (13) Reply

    You ever notice it is the same group of people all the time with these feel good bullsh!t programs, that does nothing to advance our causes or people.

    • and (09/09/2018, 15:23) Like (13) Dislike (8) Reply
      The same group will grow stronger and stronger and more would come to make it stronger and stronger. What’s your contribution?
  • bvi (09/09/2018, 13:28) Like (6) Dislike (3) Reply
    Nice...Let's keep this spirit alive.
  • ?????? (10/09/2018, 05:38) Like (5) Dislike (7) Reply
    Bunch of fake people. Bet most of them did not even know what they were on the beach for.
    • @????? (10/09/2018, 09:41) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
      Jealous jealous....poor thing
      • ?????? (10/09/2018, 16:30) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
        Jealous of what idiot? You are really one of the people that is still stuck behind the DONKEY's smelly backside. Jealous? LOL.
  • Les volle bon temps rolle (10/09/2018, 05:51) Like (21) Dislike (9) Reply
    There will never be a one bvi. Too much hate, envy and jealousy in this place we call home. Locals arguevwithbeachbothere. Expats never satisfied. White people segreater themselves. Philippines are clanish. Indians prejudice. English people racist. Americans racist. Canadiens uppity. The need becomes a greed.
  • AMERICA (10/09/2018, 16:38) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    You will get worldwide attention if you people people start building a human chain for the crime victims. How many of you on that beach with the fakery knows something and decide to keep your mouths shut.
    • Yasssssss (11/09/2018, 07:49) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      @America, good point. A few of them i saw on the beach knows about things that can help the police with their investigations. Exactly, there will NEVER be a one BVI. To much envey and greed. Hyprocity at it's best.
    • Gumption.Official (11/09/2018, 09:02) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      @Americia I 100% agree with you. Your spot on and dead on.


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