Commonwealth Scribe urges experts to set goals to reverse climate change impact
NAN-AE-7
Solution
By Isaac Aregbesola
Abuja, Nov.1, 2016 (NAN) The Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland has urged experts to develop a practical solution to reverse human impact of climate change.
A statement by Director Media and Public Relations, Communications Division, Commonwealth Secretariat, Barnie Choudhury, on Tuesday in Abuja, stated that Scotland made the call at a meeting held in Commonwealth Secretariat, London.
Choudhury reports that Scotland was speaking at a two-day brainstorming session where climate change experts were exploring practical and economically viable solutions to combat decades of harm to the environment.
“The Commonwealth Charter gives us a mandate to support and promote sustainable development which respects and protects the environment.
“I have tasked this group of leading biologists, ecologists, oceanographers and authorities on sustainability and regenerative development, to help me deliver this,” she said
Secretary-General Scotland told participants that it was the Commonwealth’s small and vulnerable states which were being hardest hit.
According to her, Kiribati and its 33 atolls in the Pacific could be submerged if global temperatures aren’t reduced putting 100,000 people at risk.
She said parts of Africa are also being affected, adding that Kenyan Government estimated that 2.5 million children might have been affected by the El Nino rains, in 2016.
Scotland noted that Namibia was one of the biggest and driest countries in sub-Saharan Africa, which has high climatic variability in the form of persistent droughts, unpredictable and variable rainfall patterns.
She stated that the London meeting took place ahead of COP22 in Marrakesh, Morocco, adding that delegates would provide a report for the Secretary-General to propose to Commonwealth states.
This, she said, would include ways we can respect, protect and regenerate the earth increase wealth creation, recommend a timeline action plan to cut carbon dioxide and greenhouse gasses to safe levels.
“The aim is to offer countries tailored and funded climate action tool kits linked to the Secretariat’s pioneering Climate Finance Access Hub.
“The recurring mantra today was that climate change, while our greatest challenge, is our greatest opportunity.
“I believe reversing this existential threat to small and vulnerable states is possible, but only if the whole of the international community acts as one in developing practical solutions which work,” Scotland said.
The environmentalists, according to her, will help to layout plans for a ‘regenerative development lab’ next year. (NAN)
IAA/AFA
Edited by Felix Ajide
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