Policymakers Benefit From Expertise in Addressing Climate Change

Local policymakers are benefiting from the expertise of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to better understand the risks and implications of the weather-related phenomenon in order to more effectively mitigate its effects.

Set up in 1988 by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the IPCC provides governments with regular assessments of the scientific basis of climate change, its impacts and future risks, and options for adaptation and mitigation.

In November, regional representatives of the IPCC journeyed to Jamaica to participate in activities to mark Climate Change Awareness Week from November 29 to December 3.

The activities, spearheaded by the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, which is responsible for the climate-change portfolio, engaged IPCC representatives from Cuba, Suriname, Haiti and other members of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

Focus was placed on raising awareness among policymakers and the scientific community from across the region about the IPCC’s role and activities, demonstrate how climate change is affecting the region, and highlight solutions to the challenges.

Activities included a media workshop and a two-day symposium at the University of the West Indies’ (UWI) Regional Headquarters at Mona.

Head of Communications for the IPCC, Jonathan Lynn, in his address at the media workshop explained that the entity was set up in response to the need to provide governments with advice and information on “what we know about climate change, what we know about the causes, its impact, the future risks and the possible options for dealing with it”. Read more

Source: JIS