BVI to Host Climate Change Training Workshop

~~Adz:Right~~ Roadtown, Tortola- The Conservation and Fisheries Department in collaboration with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour and the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC) will be hosting a climate change training workshop in the BVI on August 27 and 28 at the Lambert Beach Resort.

The purpose of the Climate Change Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment Methodology workshop is to train a multidisciplinary team from the United Kingdom Caribbean Overseas Territories of Anguilla, Cayman Islands, Montserrat, Turks and Caicos Islands, and the Virgin Islands (UK) in the method of carrying out a detailed assessment to understand the vulnerability of our tourism sectors to climate change.  This is also known as Global Warming.

Chief Conservation and Fisheries Officer, Mr. Bertrand Lettsome, told the Department of Information and Public Relations that climate change has the potential to impact the tourism sector in a number of ways. “Resulting sea level rise poses a threat to coastal hotels, marinas, beaches and critical tourism infrastructure. Warmer water temperatures and changes in ocean chemistry threaten wide spread damage or loss of coral reefs as well as more frequent and intense hurricanes,” he said.

The training workshop is being conducted as a part of the Enhancing Capacity for Adaptation to Climate Change in the Caribbean United Kingdom Overseas Territories (ECACC) Project. 

The ECACC is a three year initiative funded through the United Kingdom and executed by the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre in Belize.

Up to 13 expert participants in various backgrounds such as tourism planning and management, coastal zone and environmental management, land use planning, and disaster management will represent the territory at the workshop. Close to 30 delegates will be arriving in the Territory on Tuesday August 26 in preparation for the workshop, including the workshop’s main presenter Dr. Roger Pulwarty of the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Dr. Ulric Trotz, Science Advisor of the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre.

During his stay, Dr. Trotz has offered to give a presentation on climate change to the Rotary Clubs of Tortola and Road Town. Minister for Natural Resources and Labour, Honourable Omar W. Hodge will host a reception for workshop participants and key stakeholders on Wednesday evening.