Guyana should be poised to take advantage of newly emerging conservation efforts. It can only do so if there are skilled, seasoned, politically savvy and internationally respected personnel at the helm of discussions on the issue, who can credibly represent the interests of the people of Guyana.
Guyana should be poised to take advantage of newly emerging conservation efforts. It can only do so if there are skilled, seasoned, politically savvy and internationally respected personnel at the helm of discussions on the issue, who can credibly represent the interests of the people of Guyana. With food, water and energy security issues on the immediate horizon and with the fact that Guyana has a very low carbon footprint an abundance of “natural capital”, and is in its infancy of national development we have a great chance of “getting our development right.”
We could afford to build the most efficient food and energy production facilities and with the infinite supply of fresh water our future could be the envy of the developed world. However all of this hinges on the motives, skills and tenacity of the government at the helm.
No amount of confrontational politics will attract the talent that is needed to transform Guyana. Credible, inclusive leadership that renounces greed and corruption is critical. Widespread access to training at all levels, as well as personal commitment from all Guyanese to pursue a unified purpose of developing Guyana is needed. Every man woman and child should be able to be relied upon to learn and to be productive.
Progress for all will have to be Guyana’s “moon mission”. Just as President Kennedy inspired people to shoot for the moon, the President of Guyana must inspire all citizens by displaying integrity, honesty, charisma, fortitude and vision. The President must be seen as the President of all people. Ingenuity, creativity, tenacity must be the watchwords of all, as the nation strives to meet its true potential and reaches greater levels of accomplishment.
Guyana could be at the doorstep of greatness but must have the wherewithal and courage to open that door.
“Nature is the basis of our well-being and our prosperity. Biodiversity has declined globally by around 30 per cent between 1970 and 2008; by 60 per cent in the tropics. Demand on natural resources has doubled since 1966 and we are currently using the equivalent of 1.5 planets to support our activities. High-income countries have a footprint five times greater than that of low-income countries. Areas of high biodiversity provide important ecosystem services such as carbon storage, fuel wood, freshwater flow and marine fish stocks. The loss of biodiversity and related ecosystem services particularly impacts the world’s poorest peoples who rely most directly on these services to survive. “Business as usual” projections estimate that we will need the equivalent of two planets by 2030 to meet our annual demands. Natural capital – biodiversity, ecosystems and ecosystem services – must be preserved and, where necessary, restored as the foundation of human economies and societies. WWF’s one planet perspective proposes how to manage, govern and share natural capital within the earth’s ecological limits. We can reduce our footprint by producing more with less, and consuming better, wiser and less.” – World Wildlife Fund (WWF) International (2012)
Guyana can and should have a significant role in the redistribution and right sizing of the carbon footprint of the world. That role can be beneficial from both an economical standpoint but also as a way to elevate the status of Guyana in the world. This can only be achieved however, by leadership that will commit itself to bold, transformational tactics and activities. With that leadership ALL Guyanese people will be able to hold their heads high and stand as a shining example of what can be done when great people aspire to great things.
