Mini festival heralds climate change opening

This week’s OECS Climate change seminar which was held at the Royal Saint Lucian hotel focused on Tourism and Agriculture. The seminar which was held September 3-5 brought together a number of regional experts on the subject as well as media practitioners from Saint Lucia and the rest of the OECS.

The theme for this year’s seminar, Climate change, tourism and Agriculture-strategies and innovations for adaptation, was seen as being especially significant this year. This is in light of the significant impacts already being felt by these sectors.

The seminar opened with a formal ceremony Tuesday evening followed by a major cultural mini festival on climate change at the hotel. Performing groups sought in a creative way to bring home the message on climate change. These groups included Headphunk, the Soufriere Action Theatre group and a Richard Ambroise dance group among others.

“What is really happening to our coral reefs in the region? How “grand” will Grand Anse Beach in Grenada be in the next 20 years?” were some of the questions posed to invited guest at the opening by Randolph Cato. Cato is the head of the OECS Economic Affairs Division and Senior Director at the OECS Secretariat.

“Climate change risks need to be systematically considered in development planning at all levels attendees were told and that ministries of planning and finance across the region needed to be on board.

The seminar which closed on Thursday sought to address the way forward in the coming months and years.