mangrove
04-08-08, - 02:20 PM
Effects and impact of climate change must be taken seriously, Minister says
By K. NANCOO-RUSSELL
Freeport News Reporter
The Bahamas must begin to take very seriously its potential vulnerability to the effects and impact of climate change, Minister of Health and Social Development Dr. Hubert Minnis said yesterday during his remarks at the official opening of the World Health Day of festivities held at the Foster B. Pestaina Centre.
The minister spoke about the relevance of the theme for this year's World Health Day, "Protecting Health from Climate Change," noting that the commemoration of the day provides an opportunity to focus worldwide attention on a subject of major importance to global health.
"It puts health at the centre of the global dialogue about climate change," he said.
"Understandably, the World Health Organization is concerned that climate change is posing ever growing threats to global public health security and the selection of this year's theme is clearly intended to highlight the need for urgent and specific action to protect health from the adverse effects of climate change."
Noting that there is widespread international and scientific consensus that the world's climate is changing and small island nations can be particularly vulnerable to the effects and impacts of climate change, the minister said there is a need for The Bahamas to take note of these warnings.
The effects of climate change, he noted, can range from heat waves and drought, to more variable weather patterns including heavy rains, flooding and more intense hurricanes and cyclones.
"Natural events that have impacted Grand Bahama over the past few years clearly confirm these effects," he said.
Recognizing the impact of climate change on small island developing states, Minnis explained that The Bahamas ratified the United Nations Framework Conven-tion on Climate Change on April 9, 1999.
"The Bahamas Environ-ment, Science and Technolo-gy (BEST) Commission ser-ves as the National Climate Change Office for the nation. Further, the BEST Commis-sion is responsible for the coordination of all relevant agencies and for the development of strategies for preserving the stability of our economy, ecosystems and by extension our health," he said.
Through increased collaboration, Minnis suggested, the global community will be better prepared to cope with climate-related health challenges worldwide.
In closing, the Minister challenged Bahamians to do their part to reduce their carbon footprint by turning off unnecessary lights, driving less, using less plastics, and making personal choices that will both reduce climate change and enhance health.
"I wish to affirm that the Ministry of Health and Social Development is committed to strengthening public policy and practice to address the impact challenges of climate change and to have a healthier Bahamas but we need the support of the entire community in this regard so as to make our Bahamas a safer and healthier place in which to live, work and play," he said.
Also on-hand for the opening ceremony was Dr. Merle Lewis, the PAHO/WHO representative, who noted that the occasion of World Health Day allows the important topic of climate change to be brought to the forefront.
Among the goals set for the year, she said, are to raise public awareness and understanding of the consequences of climate change; to advocate for partnerships to address the issue; and to spark commitment and dedicated action by governments, international organizations, donors, civil societies and local communities in order to anchor health at the centre of the climate change agenda.
"Climate change is an emerging threat to global public health and the selection of this theme for World Health Day unequivocally reaffirms our determination and unswerving commitment to place health among our highest priorities," she said.
Lewis noted that the PAHO and WHO are working together on climate change on a number of fronts, some of which include assessing country-specific risks, increasing the awareness of the health consequences of climate change, strengthening health systems to provide protection from climate-related risks and facilitating enhanced public health through informed decision-making on climate change in other sectors.
"Addressing the problem of climate change will require decisions and actions that are politically courageous, technically innovative and effective in the real world," she said.
Mr. Hubert Minnis seems to be the only one who see the truth. He exaclt knows which problems are serious and must be solved. Kudos to him. He is not blind as other MPs.
By K. NANCOO-RUSSELL
Freeport News Reporter
The Bahamas must begin to take very seriously its potential vulnerability to the effects and impact of climate change, Minister of Health and Social Development Dr. Hubert Minnis said yesterday during his remarks at the official opening of the World Health Day of festivities held at the Foster B. Pestaina Centre.
The minister spoke about the relevance of the theme for this year's World Health Day, "Protecting Health from Climate Change," noting that the commemoration of the day provides an opportunity to focus worldwide attention on a subject of major importance to global health.
"It puts health at the centre of the global dialogue about climate change," he said.
"Understandably, the World Health Organization is concerned that climate change is posing ever growing threats to global public health security and the selection of this year's theme is clearly intended to highlight the need for urgent and specific action to protect health from the adverse effects of climate change."
Noting that there is widespread international and scientific consensus that the world's climate is changing and small island nations can be particularly vulnerable to the effects and impacts of climate change, the minister said there is a need for The Bahamas to take note of these warnings.
The effects of climate change, he noted, can range from heat waves and drought, to more variable weather patterns including heavy rains, flooding and more intense hurricanes and cyclones.
"Natural events that have impacted Grand Bahama over the past few years clearly confirm these effects," he said.
Recognizing the impact of climate change on small island developing states, Minnis explained that The Bahamas ratified the United Nations Framework Conven-tion on Climate Change on April 9, 1999.
"The Bahamas Environ-ment, Science and Technolo-gy (BEST) Commission ser-ves as the National Climate Change Office for the nation. Further, the BEST Commis-sion is responsible for the coordination of all relevant agencies and for the development of strategies for preserving the stability of our economy, ecosystems and by extension our health," he said.
Through increased collaboration, Minnis suggested, the global community will be better prepared to cope with climate-related health challenges worldwide.
In closing, the Minister challenged Bahamians to do their part to reduce their carbon footprint by turning off unnecessary lights, driving less, using less plastics, and making personal choices that will both reduce climate change and enhance health.
"I wish to affirm that the Ministry of Health and Social Development is committed to strengthening public policy and practice to address the impact challenges of climate change and to have a healthier Bahamas but we need the support of the entire community in this regard so as to make our Bahamas a safer and healthier place in which to live, work and play," he said.
Also on-hand for the opening ceremony was Dr. Merle Lewis, the PAHO/WHO representative, who noted that the occasion of World Health Day allows the important topic of climate change to be brought to the forefront.
Among the goals set for the year, she said, are to raise public awareness and understanding of the consequences of climate change; to advocate for partnerships to address the issue; and to spark commitment and dedicated action by governments, international organizations, donors, civil societies and local communities in order to anchor health at the centre of the climate change agenda.
"Climate change is an emerging threat to global public health and the selection of this theme for World Health Day unequivocally reaffirms our determination and unswerving commitment to place health among our highest priorities," she said.
Lewis noted that the PAHO and WHO are working together on climate change on a number of fronts, some of which include assessing country-specific risks, increasing the awareness of the health consequences of climate change, strengthening health systems to provide protection from climate-related risks and facilitating enhanced public health through informed decision-making on climate change in other sectors.
"Addressing the problem of climate change will require decisions and actions that are politically courageous, technically innovative and effective in the real world," she said.
Mr. Hubert Minnis seems to be the only one who see the truth. He exaclt knows which problems are serious and must be solved. Kudos to him. He is not blind as other MPs.