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Climate health highlighted at COP21- A Trinidadians Perspective

DECEMBER 6, 2015 12:34 PM / 1 COMMENTON CLIMATE HEALTH
HIGHLIGHTED AT COP21- A TRINIDADIANS PERSPECTIVE

Climate change, and all of its dire consequences for health,

should be at centre-stage, right now, whenever talk turns to the
future of human civilizations. After all, thats whats at
stake. Dr Margaret Chan, Director-General, World Health
Organization

Many Trinbagonians are proud to say that Trinidad and Tobago

is one of the wealthiest countries in the Caribbean Community
(CARICOM). Is this something to be pleased about?
The title is a reflection of our status as the main exporter of oil
and gas in the Caribbean region and the main producer of
liquefied natural gas in the Latin America and the Caribbean.
We depend heavily on the extraction of hydrocarbons as the
main source of income. After all, Trinidad and Tobago is ranked
second in the world for its carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions per
capita, producing an estimated 53 million tonnes of CO2
annually, with 80 per cent coming from the petrochemical and
power generation industry. The government needs to find more
sources of renewable energy. We emit the most amount of toxic
gases into the atmosphere in the Caribbean.
Climate change takes 400,000 lives per year and millions suffer
from flooding, diseases, malnourishment, and respiratory
problems due to climate change. This is both a threat and an
opportunity as it can push countries toward renewable energy.
For these reasons, COP21 has seen concern raised by medical
professionals regarding the effect climate change has on health.
Over 1,700 health organisations are supporting declarations
calling on world leaders in Paris to take a serious approach to
the

escalating

climate

threats

to

human

health.

The

demonstration follows a major recent report in The Lancet that

warned 50 years of global health improvements could be thrown
into reverse by climate change.
From Europe to the Americas and across Asia-Pacific, over
8,200 hospitals and health centers are already walking the talk:
divesting their fossil fuel assets, reducing their emissions, and
calling for action on climate change. Trinidad and Tobago needs
to step up its game. Stop allowing foreign oil and gas
companies to infiltrate our economy and reap benefits while the
environment

suffers.

Instead,

we

must

affirm

genuine

commitment to renewable energy. It simply makes sense,

renewable energy is clean energy.
The governments aim of 10% renewable energy by 2021 is a
start but much more needs to be done. We need healthier, more
sustainable cities and the most effective way of quickening up
the process is for governments at COP21 to make strong
commitments on a deadline for a full phase out of fossil fuels,
and agreeing to regularly review and increase national ambition
to reach that goal.
In Trinidad and Tobago, emphasis needs to be placed on
research and development into the feasibility of various sources
of renewable energy and implementation needs to occur

quickly. Sensitisation of the local citizens is key, as difficulty in

transition also comes from the fact that as an oil and gasproducing country, energy costs in Trinidad and Tobago are
extremely low. So it should not be surprising that solar, wind,
and hydropower energy are catching on in other islands of the
Caribbean where electricity is up to six times more expensive
than in Trinidad and Tobago.
The world is shifting toward renewable energy, fossil fuels
remain in the past. As we look toward development, Trinidad
and Tobago should eventually follow the trend set by the rest of
the region.
Written by Dizzanne Billy
Dizzanne Billy, 24, operates in the role of President of
the Caribbean Youth Environment Network
(CYEN) in Trinidad and Tobago, where she works in the
areas of education and public awareness with regard to
environment and development issues. She is a climate
tracker with Adopt-A-Negotiator and a young advocate for
climate change action.