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