Bartica urged to lead Guyana’s ‘green’ development as it observes Earth Hour

Head of the Office of Climate Change (OCC) of the Ministry of the Presidency, Janelle Christian on Saturday encouraged the residents of Bartica to be an example of conservation to the rest of Guyana.
Christian said this at the “A Night in the Park” event, which was organised to celebrate Bartica’s first observance of Earth Hour. The event was held at the West Indian Green Park, Bartica, Region Seven, (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).
Earth Hour is observed worldwide in order to raise awareness on the effects of climate change. For one hour on the last Saturday in March, commonly from 20:30h to 21:30h, homeowners, businesses, communities, and cities turn off non-essential electrical lights and appliances to save energy.
The theme for this year’s Earth Hour is “Connect2Earth”. Residents from the West Indian Housing Scheme and surrounding neighbourhoods came out in their numbers to attend the event at the solar-powered park.
“Let us not, this Earth Hour, have a good time tonight and forget about it. Particularly, it’s even more important for Bartica, given your designation because you are to be the model ‘green’ town for Guyana, to show the rest of the country… new concepts and innovations that we have to employ … to change the way we have been … pursuing our development over the years,” she said.
Bartica Mayor Gifford Marshall said that all citizens of Guyana have the responsibility to educate themselves on the effects of climate change. He noted that ignorance would only see Guyana fall behind as the rest of the world advanced.
“Our environment is a reflection of the way we think… We must take responsibility for our actions … Many of us would have heard about the [Green State Development Strategy] GSDS. We have to ensure that we acquaint ourselves with that document … with information and knowledge where ‘greening’ is concerned, so that we can take full responsibility to lead Guyana throughout our ‘green’ discourse. We cannot allow ourselves to continue to be ignorant of the basic facts and information that [are] out there. The world is moving apace and we ought to ensure that we keep up with that pace,” he said.
The event, which was planned by the Bartica Town Council, featured a number of cultural and musical performances. Additional Earth Hour events were held in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne); Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), and Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).