Dear Editor,
Guyana, being the largest producer of oil in the world per capita, it is understandable that President Irfaan Ali would have told one of the world’s most important bodies, the General Assembly of the United Nations, that fossil fuels remain necessary to facilitate energy transition. For how long will it remain necessary? Amid the oil and energy crisis, many countries are developing alternative sources of energy. California in the United States of America (USA) plans to have 100 per cent zero emission vehicles by 2035 by which time Guyana’s revenue from oil and gas is expected to be US$31 billion. President Ali also called for increased costs for carbon credits but this needs to be justified. What steps has the government taken to ensure that logging is controlled?
It should be our social responsibility to preserve our forests and not just for financial gain. The majority of our population dwell on the coast and within dangerous proximity to the Ocean and Rivers. It is incumbent that we vigorously try to combat climate change to prevent an increase in the rise of sea levels. Despite our negligible carbon emissions compared with the rest of the world, we are now extracting huge amounts of oil and emissions through flaring. Earth tremors have been more frequent since exploration began compared with the number Guyana has experienced in generations. President Ali could also show his government’s efforts to combat climate change by using the forests to supply Guyana and beyond, with paper bags and paper products to replace the use of plastic bags in markets and supermarkets.
As the trees are felled, it would be necessary to replant in the same quantity. There has been a ban on styrofoam products so let us fill all the gaps that we can through the ban of certain plastic products that we can live without. It should not be necessary to continuously create a facade that we are concerned about climate change and that we are making efforts to reduce the use of fossil fuels and carbon emissions. We must have a more robust plan when appearing before an august body such as the General Assembly of the United Nations when Guyana and its people are being represented and portrayed.
Sincerely,
Conrad Barrow