Journalists Take Part in Workshop on Climate Change

Journalists and communication specialists from across the region participated in a media workshop on climate change at the University of the West Indies Regional Headquarters at Mona, on November 29.

Hosted by the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, with key participation from regional representatives of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the workshop featured presentations, discussions and brainstorming sessions on climate-change adaptation and mitigation and the overall impact on the region.

Representatives came from Cuba, Suriname, Haiti and other members of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

In an interview with JIS News, Chief Technical Director in the Ministry, Lieutenant Colonel (ret’d) Oral Khan, explained that the workshop should assist in fostering a better understanding of climate science, solutions to climate change and the IPCC process among members of the media.

Presenters at the workshop included IPCC Author, Ines Camilloni, who spoke on climate science; Head of Communications for the IPCC, Jonathan Lynn, who highlighted the role of the Panel and how it produces its reports; and IPCC Author, John Agard, who discussed the key findings by the IPCC for the Caribbean region.

“Climate change will amplify existing risks and create new risks for Jamaica and other Caribbean countries, which are vulnerable to a range of impacts, including sea-level rise and extreme climate events,” Mr. Agard said.

“Nonetheless, there are many opportunities to combine responses to dangerous climate change with development strategies,” he pointed out.

The IPCC regional representatives will also participate in a two-day symposium on November 30 and December 1 at the University of the West Indies Regional Headquarters.

The symposium is intended to enlist the participation of the local science and research community in climate research, and encourage regional participation.

It will be attended by policymakers; the academic community; senior persons in Government, such as Permanent Secretaries; the media; students; key partners and stakeholders across the region.

The events are part of activities for Climate Change Awareness Week, being observed from November 29 to December 3.

The IPCC is the international body for assessing the science related to climate change and provides policymakers with regular assessments of the scientific basis of climate change, its impact and future risks, and options for adaptation and mitigation.

The Panel was set up in 1988 by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

It embodies a unique opportunity to provide rigorous and balanced scientific information to decision-makers because of its scientific and intergovernmental nature. Participation in the IPCC is open to all member countries of the WMO and United Nations. It currently has 195 members.