Guyana's Paradigm Shift towards Resilience
Cordero M Johnson, LEED Green Associate
The Resiliency Expert | Motivational Speaker | Environmental Specialist | Project Management | "Building Resilience, One Innovative Step at a Time"
In recent years, Guyana has undergone a paradigm shift in its approach to climate resilience. Central to this shift has been a re-evaluation of the country's economic priorities and a commitment to sustainable development. Rather than viewing economic growth and environmental protection as competing interests, Guyana has embraced the concept of "green growth" – an approach that seeks to promote economic prosperity while safeguarding the environment.
At the heart of Guyana's climate resilience strategy is the preservation of its vast forests – often referred to as the "lungs of the Earth." Covering more than 80% of the country's land area, Guyana's forests play a crucial role in sequestering carbon and mitigating climate change. Recognizing the global significance of these forests, Guyana has implemented stringent conservation measures aimed at preserving this vital ecosystem.
Moreover, Guyana has taken proactive steps to diversify its economy and reduce its reliance on traditional industries. One notable example is the country's investment in renewable energy sources, such as hydropower and solar energy. By harnessing its abundant natural resources, Guyana aims to not only reduce its carbon footprint but also create new opportunities for sustainable growth and development.
However, despite this commendable shift towards climate resilience and sustainable development, Guyana's approach to the management of its oil resources has been called into question. Since the discovery of significant offshore oil reserves in 2015, the country has faced scrutiny over its handling of this newfound wealth and the potential environmental and social impacts associated with oil extraction.
Critics argue that Guyana's reliance on fossil fuels for economic growth may undermine its efforts to combat climate change and transition to a green economy. This was erroneously articulated by BBC reporter Stephen Sackur in the recent interview in his insinuation towards President Mohamed Irfaan Ali.
In this recent interview, Guyana President Ali stood firm against BBC journalist Stephen Sackur's insinuation that the country was ignorant of climate change and that its newfound wealth from fossil fuels would be squandered. President Ali made it clear that he was not there to receive a lecture on climate change, stating, "Does that give you the right to lecture us on climate change?"
Mr. Sackur seemed to overlook Guyana's decades long poverty and colonial history and its efforts in preserving a significant portion of its forests, which act as crucial carbon sinks. President Ali emphasized this point, highlighting that Guyana's forests store 19.5 gigatons of carbon, benefiting the world without receiving adequate compensation or recognition.
Continuing to challenge the BBC journalist, President Ali questioned whether he was influenced by those responsible for environmental damage, particularly through the industrial revolution. He pressed, "Are you in their pockets? Are you paid by them?" This exchange underscored Guyana's stance on environmental preservation and the need for equitable compensation for its contributions to global carbon sequestration.(Gabriel Hayes, March 2024)
The interview with the Guyana president raises important questions not only for Guyana but also for many island nations facing similar challenges. One key question is whether the developed world should dictate the most expedient route to resilience for these countries. Should island nations have the autonomy to chart their own path and manage their own wealth, especially when it comes to their natural resources?
Central to this debate is the issue of sovereignty and self-determination. Island nations, like all countries, have the right to determine their own development trajectory and manage their resources in a manner that best serves their interests and the well-being of their citizens, First. This includes making decisions about how to utilize newly discovered resources, such as fossil fuels, and how to invest the revenues generated from these resources.
Moreover, allowing island nations to chart their own path to resilience is crucial for ensuring that their unique needs and circumstances are taken into account. What works for one country may not necessarily work for another, and therefore, a one-size-fits-all approach imposed by the developed world may not be suitable or effective.
Additionally, managing resources independently can help island nations avoid falling into the debt trap often associated with large-scale development projects financed by external actors. By taking control of their resources and finances, these countries can better safeguard against exploitation and ensure that development efforts are sustainable and inclusive. Guyana stands on the periphery of this new Paradigm Shift.
Guyana finds itself particularly vulnerable to climate-related hazards, with threats ranging from heavy rainfall-induced flooding to rising sea levels and storm surges, especially in its coastal regions. Research underscores the gravity of these risks, projecting significant economic losses and widespread impacts on agriculture and urban areas. However, amidst these challenges, there lies an opportunity for transformation.
The discovery of fossil fuels in Guyana has sparked a pivotal moment in its trajectory towards resilience. Leveraging these newfound resources, the nation is charting a course to build a climate-resilient economy and break free from the shackles of debt. By harnessing its oil wealth, Guyana aims to fortify its defenses against climate-related threats and forge a path towards sustainable development.
Central to this vision is Guyana's revamped Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030 (LCDS), which outlines robust measures to foster green and resilient growth. Emphasizing the preservation of its pristine forests and investment in renewable energy sources like hydropower and solar energy, the LCDS signals a bold commitment to sustainability.
Furthermore, Guyana's Climate Resilience Strategy and Adaptation Plan serves as a comprehensive blueprint for bolstering resilience against climate change impacts. From bolstering emergency response mechanisms to enhancing sea defenses and drainage systems, Guyana is proactively addressing the challenges head-on.
"Guyana is not highly exposed to hurricanes, volcanoes, or earthquakes; while it is less vulnerable to these risks than its island neighbors, it is still an active member of CDEMA. With 90 percent of the population living in the low-lying coastal region, Guyana is at risk from sea level rise and coastal flooding".
While commonly perceived as part of the Caribbean, Guyana is situated on the South American mainland. Despite its abundance of natural resources, the steep energy costs have historically hindered commercial advancement. However, the landscape may evolve with the advent of offshore oil exploration in 2020. Guyana has witnessed a recent enhancement in its United Nations Human Development Index score, albeit grappling with persistent gender disparities. The nation contends with a spectrum of environmental challenges including coastal flooding, excessive rainfall-induced floods, drought, and wildfires. Although Guyana has enacted various resilience-focused legislation, their full implementation is still pending (US AID Guyana Resilience).
Diversifying Guyana's economy beyond its reliance on natural resources and agriculture poses a significant challenge, particularly amidst the burgeoning Oil and Gas (O&G) sector. In 2022, oil exports constituted approximately 88 percent of total exports, highlighting the sector's dominance. Excluding oil, other key exports such as sugar, gold, bauxite, shrimp, timber, and rice collectively contribute nearly 90 percent to the country's non-oil export portfolio. To mitigate vulnerability to price fluctuations in the oil market, structural reforms are imperative to foster diversification and ensure sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
Over the past decade, Guyana has witnessed a notable reduction in poverty, declining from 60.9 percent in 2006 to 48.4 percent in 2019, measured against a poverty line of US$5.50 per day in 2011 PPP. While the oil and non-oil sectors have experienced substantial growth since 2020, recent data to track progress in poverty alleviation is unavailable. Despite these advancements, poverty and social marginalization persist, particularly in Guyana's hinterland regions, where access to basic services remains limited.
In terms of education, Guyana has made commendable strides over the last 15 years, achieving impressive enrollment rates of 91 percent at the Nursery level and 103 percent at the Primary level as of 2022. However, there is still room for improvement in learning outcomes across all educational tiers. According to the 2022 Human Capital Index, a child born in Guyana just before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic is projected to be only 50 percent as productive in adulthood as she could be with full access to education and healthcare, underscoring the need for enhanced investment in human capital. Despite the average Guyanese student expected to complete 12.2 years of schooling, this translates to only 6.8 years of effective learning when measured in Learning-Adjusted Years of Schooling (LAYS), a figure lower than the regional average for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated these challenges, highlighting the urgency for targeted interventions to address disparities in education
(World Trade Organization)
Resiliency Mapping is important and with that in mind both the strengths and weakness of the country must be considered. These strength and weakness are provided by USAID in their Guyana Resilience report.
Resilience Capacity Institutional capacity:
(As stated by Guyana Resilience)
? "Strengths: Several frameworks and systems are in place, such as the National Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (MHEWS) Framework (2013), regional disaster risk management systems, and community-based disaster risk management.
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? Weaknesses: Guyana struggles with limited institutional capacity to enact disaster risk management activities and limited monitoring and enforcement (Velasco 2014). There is high duplication of initiatives and a lack of integration or harmonization across activities. The country’s Regional Democratic Councils and Neighborhood Democratic Councils have limited authority and resources to implement initiatives and plans at a sub-national level. Furthermore, there is a need for policy, legislation, and coordination across institutions to manage land and water resources at a landscape scale. Finally, transportation and communication challenges result in limited outreach to the public and reduced monitoring and enforcement of ongoing activities, particularly in the Hinterland regions (Stakeholder consultations 2020). Human and community capacity:
? Strengths: Guyana has considerably improved its capacity in the areas of youth crime and violence prevention through participation in multiple efforts aimed at building social resilience, including the Community, Family and Youth Resilience Program and several activities funded by the U.S. Government.
? Weaknesses: There is a need for greater stakeholder involvement in disaster management and climate adaptation decision-making implementation, including increased access to climate-related information by indigenous groups, and increased participation of women in decision-making (Government of Guyana 2020b). Knowledge and technical capacity:
? Strengths: Technical forecasting capacity in Guyana is improving and services are well utilized. For example, the country’s hydrometeorological services allow farmers to plan for planting and harvesting, avoiding crop losses (Stakeholder consultations 2020).
? Weaknesses: The amount of information often exceeds the capacities of personnel to compile and analyze the data to guide planning. Guyana also struggles from high staff turnover in many key institutions and a lack of organization and historical knowledge. There is a need to improve training to overcome these barriers and promote action and implementation. A lack of local information and data is a weak link in weather forecasting efforts in Guyana. Financial capacity:
? Strengths: Funding commitment to address extreme rainfall and coastal flooding can be seen in the national budget, where irrigation and drainage projects were allocated $2 billion, and ‘sea protection’ projects $3 billion in the 2019 budget (Government of Guyana 2019; Stakeholder consultations 2020). Additionally, the country’s economic profile changed in recent years and is expected to continue to change due to the emergence of an oil and gas industry. New revenues from that industry may increase the government’s opportunity to fund resilience initiatives, but that is not yet evidenced.
? Weaknesses: Guyana struggles from limited financial resources and high reliance on external funding and aid, with little capacity for implementation."
(Guyana Resiliency Profile)
As we navigate the road to resilience, Guyana stands at a crossroads of opportunity and responsibility. By embracing innovation, fostering collaboration, and prioritizing sustainability, Guyana is poised to emerge as a beacon of resilience in the face of adversity.
Join us as we delve deeper into Guyana's paradigm shift towards resilience and explore the transformative power of sustainable development. Together, let's pave the way towards a brighter, more resilient future. Together, let's amplify the voices advocating for a resilient and sustainable future.#R3SILIANT #NewsletterLaunch #ClimateResilience #SustainableDevelopment #Paradigm
References:
The World Bank in Guyana:
Video of Guyana’s president snapping back at BBC reporter’s climate quiz goes viral: ‘Let me stop you’
Engineer at SRS Engineering Services
4 周Very interesting article...hope the relevant authorities take note