Imagine a London where the entire subterranean region is engulfed with dirty water. Crammed train carriages that once barrelled along 249 miles of track transporting busy office workers, builders, teachers, civil servants, cleaners and students now rest in the murky debris-filled gut of a dying city – flooded iron ghosts.
Last year’s chilling headlines warning that London is under threat of sinking was not enough to change the minds of well-known climate change doubters or persuade them that the frightening reality of Pacific island homes, schools, businesses, and entire nations disappearing into the ocean, could also soon become a real worry for western metropolises.
Those of us who have seen first-hand the death and destruction climate change is causing often feel like characters in a disaster film warning of impending doom.
For many the penny dropped after watching Hurricane Ophelia batter the UK. It connected to the narrative of Caribbean countries flattened by hurricanes, typhoons and cyclones wreaking havoc in the Pacific islands, and rich arable lands in Africa turned to desert. In some cases, countries lost the equivalent of 200 per cent of their GDP in hours. The loss of life is heart-breaking – as is the trillions of dollars’ worth of damage and the resulting spiralling debt and economic regression.
Europe has experienced an unprecedented heatwave with France registering record-breaking temperatures of 45.9 degrees Celsius. The stark truth is that climate change is not at our door, but in our house and ransacking our treasured belongings.
More needs to be done, not just by governments and industry, but by each and every one of us taking our responsibilities seriously.
Climate change is thankfully high on the agenda at September’s UN General Assembly (UNGA). The gathering is our opportunity to demolish the negative contentions of multilateral sceptics and to mobilise inclusive and responsible action for a sustainable future.
The theme, “A Race We Can Win. A Race We Must Win” is promising, yet we are doomed to failure if we fail to recognise that the tools we need to win against climate change are political will, collaboration, scientific research and innovation. These go hand in hand with financing and global public education campaigns to inspire behavioural change.
The Climate Change Performance Index, which measures climate protection performance, shows a huge swathe of the globe scoring low on climate action, very few countries scoring high and no country achieving top points for climate action.
The evidence for human-induced climate change is irrefutable and includes an average surface temperature rise of 1.62 degrees Fahrenheit since the late 19th century; the warming of the ocean by 0.4 degrees since 1969; a loss of 286 billion tonnes of ice per year from 1993 to 2016 in Greenland; glacial retreat; decreased snow cover, extreme weather events, ocean acidification and about an 8 inch rise in sea level in the last century.
Only with a truly inclusive and worldwide effort, with every nation, government and community on board can we win the battle.
This means persuading everyone that climate change exists and is affecting them – their lives and their livelihoods – rather than simply a problem for faraway islands. We must also demonstrate that we do not have to sacrifice economic advancement to protect our planet. Green vehicles and buildings already exist, and eco-cities are beginning to emerge around the world. The genius of humankind got us into this mess, but can also get us out.
If we sit back with hands folded we send the world to hell in a handcart with ourselves on board, and discussions about trade, security, health and education become futile and meaningless.
My call to policy makers is to consider with the utmost seriousness what they can do to join our Commonwealth efforts to combat climate change. How will they support our work of helping countries to access finance for climate change-related projects, to promote innovative development solutions, to demand strong and enforceable climate legislation, and to launch a robust public education programme which demystifies climate change and places the passion for climate action in the hearts of every man, woman and child? Because if not now, when? And if not us, who?
BAAAAAA! Lennox Linton sheep on the loose today… People of the world please read all the crap from Dominica so-called workers party illiterate followers!!!
Climate change is just a big hoax. Climate is suppose to change, it’s natural and Man cannot cause climate change, or affect the climate. There are bigger issues in the world, there’s enough food in the world to wipe out hunger. There are 40 to 50 million abortions every year. Politicians continue to become dictators and steal millions and billions form poor countries while people live in abject poverty, and you talking about climate change?
already too late. 2 years after Maria. Tomorrow the storm coming. Lets see how well their resilience stands up.
That is good to saved the earth for the next generation.But there is something much better, and it is within our reach.what about saving your soul through CHRIST THE Savior for the world to come (Next generation).This one you can do.We have scientists and politicians telling us “If something is not done,in 11 yrs planet earth will be no more.But God have spoken.
“Never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of the flood;never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth Gen.9:11.
This was said after Noah’s flood.But now God have made it abundantly clear even clearer as crystal.He has reserved this earth to be destroyed with fire.Not my words.Read and see for yourself…2 Peter 3:9-12.
During the time of this destruction, there will be no hiding place for you,if you are not in the Savior.
In closing let me remind you.You were not there when the Creator created this earth,but you can be with Him, in the place he gone to prepare. Will you let him.?
I can well imagine Patricia’s concern, especially on a private level, since her London house in Chiswick, close to the river Thames is in a flood area and might become uninsurable against risk of flood, making the £2 million plus property difficult to sell.
Baronmess Scotland, remembering the disrespect you showed us with your “sousay cell” exhortation, my advice to you is go to hell. You are very controversial as the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of nations that’s why you cannot use your leverage to get consensus on the climate change issue. Go do your job, Baronmess. Get out of our face.
What is the true cause of climate change? Well, it isn’t the actions of the majority of people inhabiting this planet, like they want you to believe. The corporations do most of the polluting although people in their consumptive capacity also add a little to the picture. In actuality, it is a combination of weather weaponization modification through sprayed chemicals by planes (silver iodide for rain, aluminum oxide to prevent rain as in a draught, and barium and strontium to block the sun). In addition, the earth is traveling through a different part of the solar system which is also contributing to disruption of our climate.
Climate change is a real very important issue. This messenger is not the right person to champion it on our behalf. Am I being biased because I just don’t like her? YES, I AM!
I must agree 100 percent and not be pompous like you were to the opponents of your friend Mr Skerrit when you told the people of Dominica sucsay cell. Climate change is real an so is the people suffering, let us all agree and disagree within reason in a civilized manner.
Is this issue being considered at the G7 meeting in Paris ?
The President of the USA contends that climate change and global warming is not real in spite of a host of evidence delivered by the scientific community.
Its heartening that the government of Dominica’s has formulated a policy to make the country the first climate resilient country in the world.
Oh yes the government of DA has formulated a policy. That’s what Skerrit is all about: TALK, LIES but no action. All one has to do and look at all those smoking buses, lorries and SUVs on the island and it’s clear how serious Skerrit is on pollution and ultimately climate resistance. Words and policies that’s what Skerrit is all about. By the way, we are still waiting to know where our money is…
The meeting is in Biaritz, not in Paris.
Climate change has been one of the main topics on the world leaders’ agenda at this gathering, notwithstanding Mr. Trumps views.
Mam, climate change is a part and effect of those Greedy and Evil Governments we have over the world having their people suffering.
Don’t forget, nothing can fix “climate change”.
The rest of the packages is written in the Word, that in the later days; Matt 24: 7…. there shall be famines, pestilences, earth quakes, wars and rumor of wars.
Verse 8 …All these are the beginning of sorrows.
We just have to fix our evil hearts to prepare for Jesus’s coming.
To Hell with this woman and Skerrit! These two are people dividers and country destroyers. A couple years ago this EVIL woman told those of us that oppose the evil of Skerrit to “go suck salt” and last week it is Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit that told Dominicans if UWP comes to his step, “THROW HOT WATER” on them. Oh my goodness how worse does it have to get? Both of these evils persons made their statements in creole just to ensure international law people don’t understand. What a shame to have a police force that hear such statements and understand it and yet takes no steps to address it
Has that historic old building next to DBS been repared yet? She was going to take care of that I seem to remember. Roosevelt Skerrit also appointed her as our representative to coordinate aid from overseas. Has she done that and how much was collected?
Thank you for writing about this critical issue. It is horrifying to think that climate change can result in some of our flatter Caribbean islands disappearing completely from the face of the earth in the future – a truly nightmarish scenario for sure.
To force change, I would like to see policy makers empower the people, on a grass roots level, to achieve change.
How will this effort look? I suspect one option is to plant trees. How can our villages in Dominica benefit economically, while make our contribution so that the effects of climate change is lessened?
Let’s start with educating the public and at the same time giving the public the means to cause change, and hopefully, put a little money in their hands too.
Climate change is a critical issue that every ma, woman and child must understand and do their part to address.
I
Good arguments on a very relevant concern. Unfortunately, the wrong messenger is leading the fight. She just cannot be taken seriously. She told thousands of concerned Dominicans to go and ‘Suck Salt’. She has lost credibility. She is a phony looking for relevance. This lady is so self centered that she hasn’t even bothered to apologise for her insulting and unprovoked dirty remarks.
Go away nanny Nancy and get a life!!!
Very well articulated,
Madam Secretary..
The biggest problem we have right now in Dominica is Roosevelt Skerrit and the Dominica Labour Party. Bigger problem than climate change. But don’t worry my dear, we know exactly how to get ourselves out of this mess.
Lady, I pray that you never find your way back to Dominica for the curses you pronounced on us with your tongue.
Go away nanny Nancy and get a life!!!
Stop propaganding and go suck some salt. Dominicans are stupid, but not that stupid. We understand the evil agenda behind the climate change propaganda, we understand Agenda 21, we appreciate the move to a ‘one world government’… we know what your masters are about. You will never win. You know why? Because in the end Satan will fail – read the Bible – its all there! Now, suck some salt.
Woman best you keep your mouth shut. I know climate change is real, but YOU speaking in support of it makes it seem like a hoax…
Perhaps this commentary gives a clue as to who originated the notion of Dominica being the first climate resilient country in the world.
We don’t YOU of all people to tell us about climate change. You and Skerrit are one of a same and until such time you make a firm stance against corruption, wrong accounting and injustice to the people of Dominica, we really don’t want to hear from you again!
You know the problem? the problem is that we have systems from 100 years ago, using a ridiculous amount of paper, systems that used a ridiculous amount of resources, be it gas or whatever. You then, come with a proposal to change the whole thing, and no body takes it on, no one cares cause it’s alot of work, or doesn’t fit into their agenda, not gonna make them make money, or they just not educated.
So once again, I see this as a post that we should do more but the people who can actually implement that change, doesnt act.