By Olivia Rose

IT IS critical for the populace to be better educated on the potential impacts of climate change, according to director of the Climate Change Committee Ronlee James.





During an interview with the Weekly News, he explained that although the territory does not contribute significantly to greenhouse gasses, it still remains at risk to their impact.





"Climate change demands urgent attention,” he said.





He stressed that awareness must be brought to the adverse effects of climate change so that the TCI is able to adapt.





Scientists have warned time and time again, that there needs to be a massive improvement in efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions if a catastrophic increase in global temperatures is to be averted.





In a wake-up call for governments, businesses and communities worldwide to intensify efforts to cut air pollution, the UN-appointed Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reported that global greenhouse gas emissions will have to be cut by 40 and 70 percent of 2010 levels by 2050 in order to limit the temperature rise caused by human activity to less than two degrees Celsius.





The TCI Government recently completed the territory’s first climate change policy which will see climate change adaptation being integrated into all government strategies, spending and investment decisions.





James said that this will see measures introduced required to curb greenhouse gas emissions.





Climate change risks

Turning his attention to the risks climate change poses on the TCI and other countries the director said: "Of these risks, sea-level rise is perhaps more broadly associated with the impact of climate change on small island developing states (SIDS) like the Turks and Caicos Islands including low-lying coastal areas on islands.





"Another impact of climate change on SIDS, like the TCI, relates to coral reef.





"Sea-surface temperature rise will result in increased coral bleaching and reef degradation.





"Given our dependence on coral reef ecosystems for a range of services, including coastal protection and subsistence fisheries and tourism, degradation of coral reef ecosystem will have multiple social, economic and environmental impacts.”





He added that the Caribbean is experiencing increased intensity in hurricanes and unprecedented rainfall.





"We have also seen the effects of climate change through human health impacts from increased vector borne diseases. The Turks and Caicos Islands remain at risk.





"I believe we will be experiencing mostly sea-surface temperature rise resulting in increased coral bleaching and reef degradation.





"Further, more intense hurricane, floods and droughts, temperature increase, damage to physical infrastructure and natural assets such as coral reefs and vegetation, increase in extreme events, increased sea surface temperature, sea level rise, change in precipitation, changes in water supplies.”





He said it is imperative for the nation to adapt to climate change and be prepared for threats.





New policy

James said the recently approved a climate change policy outlines consensus-based interventions to be implemented over the next five years that are required to address priority adverse impacts of climate change to be faced by these Islands.





The multifaceted policy also aims to:





-Ensure the protection and wise use of carbon sinks, and to enhance and protect human health.





-To conserve and guarantee a sustainable supply of fresh water, to increase resilience by adapting to the adverse impacts of climate change.





-To achieve the objectives set in the TCI energy conservation policy and implementation strategy, as well as reduce greenhouse gas emissions.





-To achieve greater food security through sustainable agriculture production, while encouraging the use of green technology.





-To advocate sustainable tourism at all levels.





He added that small, low-lying coastal developing states like the Turks and Caicos Islands are most vulnerable to global climate change and accompanying sea level rise.





"Responding to climate change risk is therefore important and demands urgent attention by key stakeholders,” he stressed.





Climate change refers to a change in average weather conditions, or in the time variation of weather within the context of longer-term average condition.





It can also be described as the steady increase in the temperature of the Earth’s atmosphere and ocean due to human activity and the subsequent changes in sea levels, water patterns and severe weather events.



