The Guyana Marine Conservation Society (GMCS) has launched its education and awareness campaign as part of a committed effort to sensitise the public of the implications of climate change and its impact.
Guyana Marine Conservation Society (GMCS) Head Annette Arjoon-Martins and a representative from Simpson Oil pose in front of the Sea Turtle Monument in Georgetown
Head of the GMCS, Annette Arjoon-Martins said it was crucial to build a nation that was aware of the concepts of climate change and its unprecedented threats to our nation’s well-being. She noted that as a result of climate change, the Shell Beach Protected Area was closed to tourism on account of rapid erosion.
According to her, environmental literacy is the main engine for a green citizenry and for advancing green jobs; hence, the GMCS education campaign.
Arjoon-Martins told Guyana Times that with oil on the horizon, the GMCS was hoping that good sense would prevail and environmental standards would be upheld. She noted that deepwater drilling has its challenges and, as such, the necessary consultations with all stakeholders must take its course.
“We hope that there are meaningful consultations with residents of the coastal areas and indigenous communities and especially the fishermen, because in the event of an oil spill, God forbids, we will have to be prepared and those are the residents who will be mostly affected,” Arjoon-Martins said.
During a stakeholders’ engagement session at the University of Guyana in March of this year, Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman informed that the Government did not expect an oil spill, but did say that there were plans in place to deal with such an issue if it arose. However, he did not divulge the details of the plan.
Arjoon-Martins also expressed the GMCS’s sadness at the lack of research in terms of developing a list of our marine resources. She further expressed hope that this initiative would be undertaken soon, since it was of paramount importance as it was critical in the management of marine resources.
The GMCS, as a part of Earth Day activities, collaborated with Simpson Oil to have the Sea Turtle Monument refurbished. The Sea Turtle Monument was erected in 2001 to sensitise the public about one aspect of their natural heritage.
