Guyana and the Wider World

Introduction Last week I indicated that, for a small nation, Guyana has exhibited exemplary ambition in the development of its responses to worldwide environmental challenges, in the face of global warming and climate change.

Resolute action Between Earth Day 2016 and Earth Day 2017, 55 national instruments of ratification will have to be submitted to the Paris Agreement before it comes into operation.

Earth Day 2016 Signing ceremony As indicated last week, Guyana, together with 174 other nations, have all reportedly signed on to the Paris Agreement, finally negotiated last December (2015).

The “price of carbon” proxy Last week’s column introduced estimates of the carbon stock in Guyana’s forests.

McKinsey Report: LCDS          Last week’s column addressed aspects of Guyana’s “high forest cover – low deforestation status”.

The MDGs and the Forest agenda Last week’s column addressed the burning question: “Is the global community driving the domestic agenda for Guyana’s forests?”

Although in my ongoing presentation of these articles on Guyana’s forests it has not been so far singled out for attention, it should be clear from last week’s contribution that the international forest agenda is directly driving much of the agenda items framing Guyana’s forests and land use policies, as the country goes forward.

Method March 21 was International Day of the Forest, 2016. Its thematic focus was “to shine a spotlight on the connections between forests, water systems, and sustainable development”.

Today’s column concludes the ongoing presentation of background information on the global forest environment.

Introduction As indicated, the coming presentations on the forest sub-sector (a strategic segment of the non-mineral extractive sector) utilize the FAO’s definition of the forest.

Forest definition As pointed out last week, today’s column starts an assessment of Guyana’s non-mineral extractive sector.

Introduction Last week I had indicated today’s column would continue to discuss potential pitfalls arising from Guyana’s heavy dependence on extractive export industries, and the likely deepening of this dependence in the coming time of oil and gas production and export.

Shifting perceptions/reality This week’s column and the next will wrap up this somewhat extended discussion I have been having on Guyana’s dependence on the export of minerals.

Bauxite trends As promised, this week I resume discussion of the bauxite industry in the context of Guyana’s extractive mineral resources export dependence.

Introduction: one-off As I have done over the past several years, I had intended, some time much later in the year, to devote a few columns to an update on the state of Guyana’s sugar industry.

Introduction Last week’s column provided information for readers seeking a basic appreciation of the role the gold industry (Guyana’s leading mineral sub-sector), plays when assessing the pitfalls posed by its dependence on extractive industries.

Introduction Today’s column continues the discussion of Guyana’s mineral resources extractive dependence.

Introduction In order to contextualize the analysis of the opportunities and pitfalls of Guyana’s mineral resources extraction dependence, this week’s column introduces further economic information on the overall performance of the sector.

Introduction As indicated last week, today’s column continues the discussion of risks and pitfalls facing mineral resources extraction in Guyana.

Introduction Having completed discussion of the appropriateness of GDP as a measure of Guyana’s economic size, progress, and national/individual well-being/welfare, I turn now to a broader assessment of Guyana’s development at this particular conjuncture.