LIME AND JEMS/CYEN celebrate National Day of Climate action

28.OCT.09

Last Friday, members of JEMS Progressive Community Organization and its youth arm, the National Chapter of the Caribbean Youth Environmental Network (CYEN), partnered with LIME and the Taiwanese Technical Mission as they celebrated National Climate Change Day at the offices of LIME in Arnos Vale, St. Vincent. The event capped the planting of more than 350 trees by primary and secondary school students and Community Based Organisations (CBOs) throughout St. Vincent and the Grenadines by the designated time of 3:50 p.m. on October 23.{{more}}

The event in St. Vincent and the Grenadines was one of more than 2,000 climate change rallies and activities coordinated by 350.org in more than 140 countries. Dubbed the International Day of Climate Action, the global activity was created as a way to urge world leaders to take fast and effective action on global warming, specifically on reducing carbon dioxide levels to 350 parts per million (ppm).

“This initiative is a perfect example of ‘thinking globally and acting locally,’” said JEMS president Andrew Simmons about the concept of an International Day of Climate Action. “More than 2,000 local climate activities around the world were engaged in planting fruit trees that will have a significant impact on the future of our planet,” he added. “These localized activities will cumulatively draw global attention to the need for an international agreement to reduce carbon emissions just weeks before world leaders are scheduled to convene in Copenhagen, Denmark, for the United Nations Climate Change Conference in December.

According to the international organizing group 350.org, scientists have determined that 350 is the number that is the safe upper limit for carbon dioxide measured in parts per million (ppm) in the atmosphere. Current levels are nearly 390 ppm, a level determined to cause long-term damage to the planet and its most vulnerable people.

“By lowering the carbon dioxide levels, we will be able to reverse course, develop a clean energy economy and prevent serious long-term damage,” said Simmons noting that the JEMS/CYEN event seeks to draw attention to the importance of the 350 number by planting a minimum of 350 trees by 3:50 p.m. to help reduce CO2 levels to the desired 350 ppm.

“Actually,” said Simmons, “we will be planting far more than 350 trees throughout St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The response from schools throughout the country has been so positive that the number of trees being planted is closer to 600,” he added expressing appreciation to LIME and the Taiwanese Technical Mission for donating the trees, and to the many schools, students and community organizations participating in the activity.

LIME Country Manager, Angus Steele, expressed delight in partnering with JEMS/CYEN and the Taiwanese Technical Mission especially at a time when the focus is on the environment and LIME is playing its part with its own “Go Green” initiative. Early this year, LIME partnered with the National Sports Council and St. Vincent and the Grenadines Grammar School to plant trees to celebrate World Environment Day.