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Hurricane Beryl highlights ‘a very dangerous era’ for climate change- Premier

-Says VI continues to 'fight a battle' for climate justice & financing
Hurricane Beryl has caused devastation on Union Island in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in July 2024. Photo: WFP/Fedel Mansour
Virgin Islands (VI) Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) says the still active Hurricane Beryl which ravaged the region has highlighted that the territory is facing a dangerous era for climate change. Photo: HoA/Youtube
Virgin Islands (VI) Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) says the still active Hurricane Beryl which ravaged the region has highlighted that the territory is facing a dangerous era for climate change. Photo: HoA/Youtube
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Virgin Islands (VI) Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) says the still active Hurricane Beryl which ravaged the region has highlighted that the territory is facing a dangerous era for climate change.

The Premier at the time speaking during the other Business segment of the continuation of the Thirteenth Sitting of the First Session of the Fifth House of Assembly, July 4, 2024.

“It's something that we need to pay attention to. Obviously, we've been criticized for traveling... but a lot of the travel, including the recent Small Island Development States Conference (SIDS) Including COP 28 that we went to..” he said the fight is fighting for climate financing.

“We are fighting a battle as a small island developing state to have the United Nations,  the United Kingdom and all of those persons who are signed on to the various charters… fighting for them to acknowledge that as overseas territories who have been excluded from climate finance, based on our statuses as overseas territories and also based on our GDP… [it] doesn’t mean that you are resilient to the impacts of climate change.”

The Premier said with the presence of Beryl several years later, the VI is still trying to complete its recovery in a very active hurricane season, which can increase its vulnerability should there be another impact.

UN petitioned for Climate Justice 

The Premier has also has petitioned the UN C-24 Committee for what he called "climate justice" for countries that remain vulnerable to Climate Change, using heavy rains and landslides in the VI as an example. 

The Premier, speaking during his June 10, 2024, delivery at the Special Committee on Decolonisation (C-24), said the Virgin Islands recently experienced torrential rains that caused severe flash floods and landslides. This, he said, resulted in local infrastructure being impacted.

“We are very vulnerable at this time, which is just at the beginning of what is forecasted to be a very active Atlantic hurricane season. Madam Chair, this is the new reality of a warmer planet, climate change is an existential threat to the existence of Small Island Development States like the British Virgin Islands.”

He reminded the C-24 that at the Fourth International SIDS Conference in Antigua and Barbuda, he called on the international community to consider the vulnerability of the [British] Virgin Islands and other Associate Members of the United Nations Regional Commissions when determining eligibility for climate finance.

5 Responses to “Hurricane Beryl highlights ‘a very dangerous era’ for climate change- Premier ”

  • WHAT!!! (06/07/2024, 19:13) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    So let’s continue doing our little bit to help,
    With the Pocwood Pond fiasco.
    • Rubber Duck (07/07/2024, 10:04) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
      The climate changes. It always has. What you drive has no influence at all.
  • Local (06/07/2024, 20:17) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    I listen to Jamaica emergency funds insurance island policy and they have prepared themselves in the event of a nature disaster. This insurance policy is trigger in the event of hurricane, flooding or other disaster that can cause economical which can affect the county and its residents and we the BVI government not preparing the country and sorting insurance that can do the same.
    • @local (06/07/2024, 22:30) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      I don't our insurance or government care about our welfare after disasters. Once them good


      Did you see how our insurance behaved after irma? Unruly and heartless.

      Cost of living not making it easier either.
  • Instead (06/07/2024, 22:44) Like (7) Dislike (4) Reply
    Instead of making sure our infrastructure was in order months before the season we here gearing up for festival.

    Priorities mehson.

    Hopefully y'all run the electricity underground if them pole get knock them down


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