Baron highlights importance of Dominica’s resilience to climate change

Baron said climate change threatens global security. File photo

Minister for Foreign Affairs and CARICOM Affairs Senator Francine Baron has highlighted the importance of improving Dominica’s resilience to climate change.

A three-day Climate Change Conference which got underway in Dominica TODAY Wednesday and will conclude on February 03 2017 is aimed at seeking ways to better address the issues of climate change.

The workshop is being hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and CARICOM Affairs and is being held under the theme “Rethinking Development Options for Building Resilience for Prosperity in Small States.”

Speaking at the opening ceremony, which was held at the State House Conference Room, Senator Baron mentioned that if Dominica as a country is to survive in this new environment, there must be a change in which the country does business.

“Climate Change not only threatens the environment, but it potentially affects global security and economic prosperity…we must therefore adapt and find ways to improve our resilience,” she stated.

Senator Baron says she has no doubt the world recognizes that tackling climate change has now become a top foreign policy priority.

“A fact which was expressly recognized by a new independent study which warns that problems exacerbated by climate change included food insecurity, competition for water and land, migration and displacement could leave fragile states unable to provide for their citizens,” Baron noted.

She also explained why her Ministry is the one hosting such a conference.

“The fact that it has been organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reflects the reality that much of the focus of small States is directed outwards at the establishment of partnerships with individual countries, multilateral agencies and with international civil society entities,” she said.

The Caribbean Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, the University of Birmingham, England and the Secretariat of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) are among partners for this Climate Change Conference.

Baron revealed that over the past two days the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has had “insightful, candid and informative” discussions with other aligned Ministries with the participation of their overseas partners.

“It is important as we forge ahead with our resilience building agenda that there is greater coordination and interaction between our representatives overseas and those responsible for the implementation of domestic policies,” Senator Baron stated.

She mentioned further that the interaction with the overseas representatives will serve to strengthen joint approaches and build cohesion.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and CARICOM Affairs will host a panel discussion on the topic “Climate Change: Challenges and Opportunities for Small Island Developing States” at the Fort Young Hotel Conference Room on Thursday the 2nd of February, 2017 from 7.00.p.m to 9.00.p.m.

The presenters will be: Dr. Albert Binger from the Caribbean Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, Professor David Dunn from the Department for Political Science and International Studies, University of Birmingham, England and Mr. Chamberlain Emmanuel, Head of Environment at the Secretariat of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).

The general public is invited to the panel discussion.

A session will also be held with the Dominica Bar Association on the topic “The Practice and Application of International Law” on Wednesday afternoon.

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41 Comments

  1. Just Me
    February 2, 2017

    Girl ….. hush your mout!! You are NOT the Minister for the Environment!!!!

    Tell how many people have our Diplomatic Passports and shut up!!!

  2. February 2, 2017

    Who are our diplomates, I want to know

  3. February 2, 2017

    Ms. Baron what exactly happened to the ten thousand dollars check that was handed to you by Alireza Monfared’s wife in Malaysia? Wasn’t it labeled as a “Disaster Management Fund”? I just have to laugh at the boldness of these people. They really believe that the Citizens of this Country are the most foolish in the world!

  4. Me
    February 2, 2017

    Francine, you are supposed to be the minister of Foreign Affairs. Why are you handling environmental matters? Is this a diversion from very foreign affairs?

  5. ye yep
    February 1, 2017

    that will not divert our attention from the REAL issue Mrs Barom
    Doe try dat.
    This tactic is only for weak minded labourites.

  6. Kincaid Mawish, JD
    February 1, 2017

    Climate change!!!

    First, they tried ‘global warming’. That didn’t work because there were winters everywhere in summer time. Now, ‘climate change’, caused by humans of course. WE are the problem. Therefore WE must be contained –

    1) Consumption of anything uses more energy. We need to consume less
    2) To motivate less consumption, energy prices need to rise – in Europe generally, this month electricity prices went up by around 40% for no apparent reason;
    3) To motivate less consumption, we have to REPRODUCE less
    4) To motivate less consumption, we have to AUTOMATE jobs more
    5) To save the world, we have to DIE.

    Get the picture? Understand who is behind all this? Read the bible for clues :)

    In the meantime to understand the climate change push, read the seminal report to the UN of the think tank CLUB OF ROME here: https://climatism.wordpress.com/2014/01/24/in-searching-for-a-new-enemy-to-unite-us-we-came-up-with-the-threat-of-global-warming/

    • Dante Jones
      February 2, 2017

      The bible has an entire book detailing how the entire world will be destroyed. That’s many orders of magnitude more insane and fearmongering than anything in the climate change propaganda. It’s crazy how anyone can think one conspiracy can debunk another. I’ll give you a clue, the same people who are pushing this climate change propaganda are the same people who wrote the bible. If you know anything about anything you’ll know who I’m talking about.

      • Colonel Skerrit Must Resign Now!
        February 3, 2017

        Kindly say more on this please?

  7. cyril
    February 1, 2017

    Every time I see this woman I see NEPOTISM. EVERYTIME!

    • Tjebe fort
      February 2, 2017

      Oh no brother, this goes way beyond nepotism. But don’t worry, things will unravel to their inevitable conclusion. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. That is about all I remember from old Shakespeare but boy that is so true, you will see.

  8. February 1, 2017

    we want regime change !!!!!

  9. Sam
    February 1, 2017

    What exactly are our domestic policies with regard to climate change ?

  10. JBaptiste
    February 1, 2017

    We don’t want to hear about that. The question is who owns our diplomatic passports?

  11. J.John-Charles
    February 1, 2017

    Climate change my big foot.This year you may have 3 major hurricanes,next year none.Two years from now, a heavy drought,the next year, flooding all over the place.Madam Baron climate always change.And by the way what happened to global warming?Soon it will be Atmosphere cease.

    John Kerry and Obama had this refrain.

    “We saved the planet for future generations.”

    Nonsense,You cannot save what you have no power over,but you could pass laws to saved babies in the womb.
    While the earth remains,
    Seed time and harvest.
    Cold and heat,
    Winter and summer,
    And day and night,
    SHALL NEVER CEASE.
    Genesis 8:22
    Attention to Him.

    • country man
      February 1, 2017

      Are you using just visual impact of climate on Dominica to draw your conclusions. Are you looking at the global impact of climate change and see level rise? Are you looking at the rapid and alarming rate of the melting of ice in the Arctic and Antarctic? Do you know how that impact global weather patterns especially hurricanes. Your statement is laced with ignorance my friend. Remember there was a planet earth before genesis was written. Maybe it will surprise you that once there were dinosaurs roaming this planet.
      It amazes me when people choose to remain ignorant. One thing I know ignorance does not change the consequences of climate change.

      • country man
        February 1, 2017

        that should have read ‘sea’ level rise and not ‘see’ level rise

      • Tjebe fort
        February 2, 2017

        I did, I did country man. Soon Kempinski will not need a swimming pool, it will be standing right in it and you can catch fish from the balcony.

      • Ralph Kerinstin, PhD (physics)
        February 2, 2017

        Have you been to Antartica?
        Do you believe everything the mainstream media tells you?
        Have you read the report of the Club of Rome regarding climate change?
        Why is it when there is the monsoon period in Asia, sea levels never rise?
        Are you aware of HAARP technology and weather warfare geoengineering policies in force now?
        Were you about when Geneses was written?
        Have you ever been outside earth?

        No, to all.

        So save your bleating for your brain dead mates.

      • Ralph Kerinstin, PhD (physics)
        February 2, 2017

        No to all bar ‘yes’ to you believe everything the MSM tells you.

    • Dante Jones
      February 2, 2017

      The same people who wrote genesis are the ones who spearheaded the project that created nuclear bombs which has the major powers of the world in a headlock that’s only deterred by the idea of mutual assured destruction. Those same people are the ones corrupting the world with madness through the mainstream media. Those same people are the ones pushing climate change to impose austerity on the world. It’s crazy that you people think one myth or conspiracy can debunk another.

  12. Toto
    February 1, 2017

    Francine Baron, who are the people with diplomatic passports representing us overseas? We have a right to know because whatever they do, good or bad , relfects on us all, the real Dominicans.

  13. Real!!!!!
    February 1, 2017

    Climate change can go on hold…..we need to find out who our ambassadors are.

  14. Mike
    February 1, 2017

    Sorry Madam I am still awaiting answers to the number of People with diplomatic passports. Then we can talk about Climate change.

  15. where is passport money
    February 1, 2017

    you will not take the attention from the passport issue

  16. Crab Boy
    February 1, 2017

    I CANNOT read or listen to anything this woman has to say. If she has any bit of pride and dignity left in her, should do the honorable thing and resign forthwith! Maybe she should fly to Britain and see if she can help her friend Baroness Scotland run her office, but we sure don’t want to hear her in Dominica.

  17. Shameless
    February 1, 2017

    Get lost Francine, please get lost! Until you all resign or get replaced I want to hear nothing from you lady. Where is the $1000.00 allegedly given to you in Malaysia for Dca? Can you please enlighten us? We’re you in Greece with the PM sometime during his last trip? Please tell us or else shhhhhhhhhh! Just wait for your marching orders from the people??

    Assertive and ready to roll! ??

  18. CIA Agent
    February 1, 2017

    Deliberate distraction from a more pressing “Foreign Affair”.
    Discussing climate change now instead of corruption in government is like someone hanging by the neck complaining that the handcuffs are too tight.

  19. Crab Boy
    February 1, 2017

    The present CABINOT of Roosevelt Skerrit is comprised of six women ministers in the persons of: Francine Baron, Roselyn Paul, Justina Charles, Catherine Daniel, Denise Charles, and Miriam Blanchard. To date these women have really disappointed the DNCW and women in every walk of life. Forget about what brought about the election of Denise Charles and what was said by females in cabinot, and concentrate on statements we have heard from these female ministers during the course of this week and tell me if they have not crushed the spirits of Dominican women. Francine Baron for example, is in foreign news to the point that a foreign blogger called for her resignation this week. We all heard Roselyn, Justina, Catherine Daniel and no doubt, they were all very embarrassing and shameful! So shameful that as a single man looking for a spouse, ,I have to be very careful NOT to marry any woman that’s related to these disgraceful woman who showed us they put money before character. I fraid boy

  20. %
    February 1, 2017

    Who are our ambassadors..We concerned Dominicans want a list..How many from the list have had their ambassadorial title/document revoked?This is my business,and that of every other citizen.

  21. Run
    February 1, 2017

    Where u going with your climate change? We don’t want to hear about that, we want to hear bout our passports and the passport money, :lol: :-D

  22. Madam- la aussi
    February 1, 2017

    we want to know about the ambassadors of this country – how many are there, who are they? how many revoked? that is the question and issue of the day

  23. derp
    February 1, 2017

    you know if they really carried about climate change they would remove the excessively high duties on importing new vehicles into the island, since they have that clause about environmental surcharge, but no we are forced to import second-hand vehicles from elsewhere which are not environmentally friendly, new cars are more efficient and have a lower carbon footprint

    • Toto
      February 2, 2017

      And they should stop the import of old, used tires and seconds by removing duty on tires. Most the expensive rubbish we get here ends up in landfill, gulliess, ravines or is burnt releasing cancerours fumes. But our government putting environmental tax on that, such hypocrites, welcome to Nature Island.

  24. NKRUMAH KWAME
    February 1, 2017

    Dear Senator,
    This is indeed GOOG news as the country must take measures to mitigate climate change. T tell the truth, though, what I would like to hear from you now is ” Who are the current holders of our diplomatic passports. Could you PLEASE expedite the process?? Awaiting a most positive response.
    HOTEP!

  25. Slumber
    February 1, 2017

    Who ask you question about climate change! We need know who are the holders of our diplomatic passports and where is the cheque for the $10,000.00 US dollars, those are the questions you have to answer. You should be a shame to put your face on social media talking about climate change. You support corruption that has dismantled our country and causing a different climate change in Dominica.

    All of a sudden you are coming out like wood ants, talking about climate change, woman go and buy some shame . Dominicans don’t want to hear you

  26. oh boy !
    February 1, 2017

    They put fire in the bush and all snakes are running shouting GLOBAL WARMING :mrgreen:
    Boy it have commedy in DOMINICA WI :mrgreen:
    CBI MONEY CAUSING GLOBAL WARMING :mrgreen:
    just now u will tell me my aunty is my uncle :mrgreen:
    and my father is my brother…
    DOMINICA IS NOT A COUNTRY>>>IT IS A COMEDY :mrgreen: :arrow: :!: :roll: :lol:

  27. CRIME STOPPERZ
    February 1, 2017

    who are our almost 500 ambassadors, that is what we want to know

    • PA Based St.Jean- furniture salesman
      February 1, 2017

      How many Trillions have been collected thus far?

  28. Just looking
    February 1, 2017

    If Dominica has to survive in this new environment people with low morale values, greed, unscrupulous and no self esteem need to vacate their positions. I’m a shame of you,

    • cbd
      February 1, 2017

      Not to mention an overall lack of class. I remember before even ghetto people had class and dignity and integrity. Our income or lack off was no excuse for not behaving like a civil human being. In fact it was motivation. Now, being hood rich and ghetto fabulous with no structure, knowledge of self or manners, morals, dignity or self respect seems to be the way now. Regarding Climate change we are not ready, Erica is a classic example. We are not ready, we only do nonsense patchwork to last the next few months if even. we litter indiscriminately, we have derelict vehicles all over the road sides, we care nothing for our neighbors much less for the environment. We import and import and import. We are not self reliant in that if the region had a major tsunami, and dominica got cut off from the rest of the world we would all be in deep trouble because we are not self sufficient.

    • PA Based St.Jean- furniture salesman
      February 1, 2017

      lol! I know of low now it’s down to NO self esteem. I agree with you totally but I recall in 1995 UWP’s first Independence celebration, it was uttered by Eddie James.” They don’t like what we look like” so low or no self esteem seems to be in our DNA. I am no supporter of Medard et Al_ but I personally think they should be removed forcefully. But it’s my observation re no or low self esteem..

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