Climate Change Energy Civil Society Lloyd Narain October

micro micro small island extremely vulnerable

vulnerability The sea is everywhere around us Sea level rises (under)currents change Higher temperature, stronger hurricanes, heavy wheater conditions Social and economic conditions

Consequences for management of: Coastal zones Marine environment Built environment Agricultural areas Nature conservation Energy sovereignty Livelyhoods (soc.&econ.conditions)

Small island development Extra vulnerability No place to hide No room for error Sustainability as a natural course Climate change makes this much more difficult Better act now than in future (costs)

Greenhouse gases (GHG) cause climate change (CC) Established knowledge Intergovernmental Panel on CC EU US G8 Copenhagen December 2009

Consequences CC Sea water expands Ice caps both on North and South Pole melting down Glaciers melting down Sea level rise Heavy rainfall in short period of time Climate changes everywhere on planet

How to deal with consequences? Combine efforts to keep them in check In a sustainable context Prepare for bad weather, droughts, sea level rise Stop oil addiction

Jacqueline McGlade, head of the European Environment Agency: The key to protecting and enhancing our environment is in the hands of many, not the few. To adapt efectively to challenges of CC.. means empowering citizens to engage actively in improving their own environment, using..new observation techniques and innovative economic ideas…

Sustainable neighbourhoods Organize neighbourhood for this purpose Create cool areas like parks, streets, spots Allow rainwater to penetrate into the soil Water catchments + collective cisterns Energy saving at home, in shops etc. Safe bicycle lanes and sidewalks Free, clean, effective public transport

buildings/houses Climate friendly designs Existing buildings:adapt to climate (change) Design in context of built environment and nature in neighbourhood Anchor roofs Cisterns Gardens with local flora (shade and cooling)

Business areas Firms in these areas join to: Save energy Generate clean energy Manage waste: re-use, recycle, composting and prevention programs Joint use of parking lots

Nature areas Coral reefs (absorb 30% of CO2) Mangroves Reforestation (local flora) Stop deforestation (trees absorb 20%) They all play their part in reducing CO2 and check consequences of CC as well

Common effort Government Business Civil society Technologists and other professionals do their part but also need to reflect on their role in society

Professionals act: People centered + empower people Small island scale In context of sustainable development: balancing sustainable social, cultural and economic development plus environmental care Social-economic justice for all, now and in future

Elements professional code Ethical code in context of sustainable development, people centered, small island limitations and opportunities Overcoming limits of purely business approach All with the urgency to keep CC causes and consequences in check

Professional contributions among others: Decentralization of energy generation End oil addiction Prevent urban sprawl Working with civil society to improve quality of life and of environment Affordable but effective adaptations for low income groups

Small islands urgency Reduce impacts of CC Sustainable livelyhoods always on the agenda And keep remembering: there is no place to hide and there is no room for error

Climate Change: adaptation and prevention makes us real dwellers of this planet and this island