CLIMATE CHANGE A MAJOR FOCUS FOR THE VIRGIN ISLANDS IN JOINT MINISTERIAL COUNCIL MEETING

Premier and Minister of Finance Andrew Fahie says that Climate change continues to be a primary focus for the Virgin Islands, a sentiment also echoed by other Overseas Territories (OTs) at the Joint Ministerial Council (JMC.

On Wednesday, 17 November, the final day of the JMC, Premier represented the Virgin Islands in discussions focused on the environmental impact that climate change is having on OTs and the valuable contribution that OTs make to the discussion, understanding and tackling of climate change.

Following the meeting, a reception to close the JMC was held at Lancaster House, which the leaders of the OTs were joined by HRH The Duke of Cambridge and young people representing the OTs. 

In his speech to delegates HRH The Duke of Cambridge addressed the acute problems posed by climate change in the OTs, they are all on the front line and their contributions to global emissions are negligible, and yet they face the dire consequences of rising sea levels, changing weather patterns and the destruction of coral reefs.

He said Climate change is threatening the very survival of the territories, their ways of life and the future of all their people.”

The Duke said the young people were invited to the event in recognition of the vital role they play in protecting the environment and were selected on the basis of their interest and studies on the subject.

Virgin Islander Sheoma Richards, who recently graduated from Newcastle University in Geographic Information Science (GIS) represented the Virgin Islands at the reception.

Richards chose this field because she felt that it would enable her to give back to the Virgin Islands.