SIDS DOCK set up to deal with climate change

Between 1959 and 2015, the shorelines in St Vincent and the Grenadines have been noticeably eroded both by the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.

Also, other small Island Developing States (SIDS) are being significantly affected by climate change and if something meaningful is not done, SIDS can face serious consequences, given the rise in temperatures,{{more}} rising sea levels, the frequency and intensity of storms and droughts brought on by Climate Change.

With this in mind, an initiative by the United Nations (UN) has seen the implementation of SIDS DOCK, an initiative among member countries of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) to provide SIDS with a collective institutional mechanism to assist them in transforming their national energy sectors into a catalyst for sustainable economic development and help generate financial resources to address adaptation to climate change.

Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves, who has just returned from the annual UN General Assembly Meeting in the USA, said on Monday during a press conference at Cabinet Room that he was one of the persons charged with the setting up of SIDS DOCK and he took the process very seriously, as climate change affects livelihoods, particularly the poor, the vulnerable and the marginalized.

Gonsalves stressed that here, we have been losing shorelines and he has had to do a lot of work to offset the effects of climate change, for instance the sea defence at Layou and other projects; hence the importance of SIDS DOCK, an entity that has links to International Funding Institutions (IFI) and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) like the World Bank and the Clinton Climate Initiative.

The PM noted that locally, in areas such as Colonarie, Biabou and even Arnos Vale, maps show what the situation was in 1950, compared to now, in relation to the loss of land.

He stressed that in areas like Georgetown, between 1950 and now, “two lengths of a cricket pitch [have been eroded]. It is a serious business”. He added that although we do not significantly contribute to climate change, we have to invest millions in adaptive and preventive processes like sea defences, river defences and forest conservation.

“Persons who go about their business and don’t look at these things when they hear me, they say what is Ralph talking about? We don’t contribute greatly to climate change, very minimum,” said the PM, who noted that while some people are not taking the issue seriously, scientific facts show alarming statistics.

He noted that SIDS DOCK is about collaboration, while revealing that the concept of SIDS DOCK came about in Copenhagen in 2009, but never gained momentum until a meeting in Samoa in 2014, which was attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs Camillo Gonsalves and Minister of Health Clayton Burgin, among others. He said that at this meeting, the mandate was given that SIDS DOCK be given structure and this country became the second signatory to that document.

The PM noted on Monday that small island states have to look for money to fix climate change issues and for adaptation and mitigation and a lot of funds are needed.

“The Docking station is an interface between Small Island Developing States, international financial institutions, NGOs and organisations…” stressed the PM, who noted also that SIDS DOCK is where countries will “dock” to deal with issues and resources and work out a plan of action going forward.

The PM said that he was glad to take an active role in setting up SIDS DOCK, as this country has been actively taking the lead on ocean governance in the OECS. He noted that here, the Government has set up more organizations on ocean governance and climate change that many other SIDS, as these, “matters are of vital importance.”

“SVG has almost 10,700 square nautical miles of sea scape, but only 150 square miles of landscape and the ocean constitutes a major resource, but they are being polluted on a daily basis and this is affecting the oceans and fishermen, as they have to dive deeper for conch and lobster than before”, said the PM, who observed that sea creatures are moving to colder temperatures instinctively.

“We have to become more sensitized to these issues. Everybody in SVG should be interested in this subject,” stressed the PM, who revealed that he has signed an agreement with the foreign minister of Mexico for a US$5 million grant to deal with the effects of climate change in areas like Spring and Cumberland.(LC)