Caribbean Times 30th Issue - Monday 7th November 2016

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8 c a r i b b e a n t i m e s . a g Monday 7th November 2016 Antigua and Barbuda celebrates Paris Agreement becoming international law The most important international agreement to combat climate change takes effect today; the Paris Agreement’s early entry into force launches COP22 in Morocco starting on Monday, where Antigua and Barbuda will be taking the country’s interests forward. Prime Minister Browne, with other world leaders, deposited instruments of ratification in September, pushing forward for an early entry into force in 2016, four years ahead of the planned 2020 start date. Early entry shows the seriousness with which world leaders are committed to the challenge of climate change by both reducing greenhouse gas emissions and addressing the effects of climate change on small and vulnerable countries like Antigua and Barbuda. The Paris Agreement provides an important framework for countries to act on climate change. Internationally, there are still many open-ended questions that need to be addressed within the Agreement; these include transparency – to build an understanding of global actions being taken and their quantifiable impacts; and sufficient financing – of at least USD $100 billion of climate finance is to be mobilized per year by 2020. While an important milestone internationally, action to implement the Paris Agreement will be at the local level. In Antigua and Barbuda, Minister of the Environment Hon. Molwyn Joseph led the charge with bold action to ban plastic bags in supermarkets and for over 7MW of resilient off-grid energy for the Health and the Water sectors. Minister with the Energy Portfolio Hon. Asot Michael is implementing the 10MW of solar PV. The Prime Minister is happy to note that there are other such projects in the pipeline, as the Government has agreed to its Climate Action Plan, or NDC (http://bit.ly/1M40gsG), to take even bolder actions to cut national greenhouse gas emissions and to adapt to climate change. Antigua and Barbuda’s urgent climate priority is to address water security, as the island is projected to receive less rainfall and increased temperatures will accelerate evaporation and make drought impacts more severe. Antigua and Barbuda is aiming to have the capability to produce 100% of water from reverse osmosis powered by 100% renewable energy. The Government has also pledged in the NDC to protect critical watersheds and waterways to prevent flooding in built infrastructure such as homes. The Government is proactively accessing climate grants and concessional financing for both the Government, NGOs and the Private Sectors. The national Sustainable Island Resource Framework Fund (SIRF Fund) will be launched with the revolving loan facility in early 2017. The SIRF will disburse low interest loans initially for persons in flood prone areas as a pilot and then to all persons in Antigua and Barbuda. The aim of the loans is to get all citizens in the twin island state ready for projected climate impacts, including drought and hurricanes. This program will create jobs in infrastructure and provide homeowners a safe place during extreme weather events. Community groups and small businesses can also con’t on pg 9
Monday 7th November 2016 c a r i b b e a n t i m e s . a g 9 Antiguan and Barbudan diaspora celebrate Independence in Toronto Toronto, CANADA – The Consulate General of Antigua and Barbuda and the Antigua and Barbuda Diaspora in Toronto, commenced their celebration of the 35 th Anniversary of Independence with a Reception and Cultural Evening on Friday, 28 th October 2016, at the Eaton Chelsea Hotel. The featured artistes for the evening were Tian Winter and Calypso Joe. Guests also had the opportunity to participate in a silent auction which included a cricket bat signed by cricket legend and National Hero, His Excellency Sir Vivian Richards and a Basket of Wine from one of the Ontario’s top vineyards. The proceeds from the silent auction and the offering from the church service will be donated to the Halo Foundation. Calypso Joe took the appreciative audience on a trip down memory lane with well-known favourites like ‘Bam Bam, Cheese, A Nation to Build, Country to Mould and Garden Pig’, among others. During his performance, Groovy Soca Monarch, Tian Winter, brought the audience to its feet with ‘Can’t explain, Ms. Set Good and Party Tun up.’ “This is the first time in over a decade that the Consulate-General has put on an event such as this, but we felt it was an appropriate way to celebrate this milestone in our country’s development cont’d from pg 8 expect greater support for climate action, as 15% of climate finance coming into the country will be channeled to community groups, many of whom have been leading the way to showcase innovative climate technology. With the Paris Agreement entering into force on this historic day, it is a moment to celebrate, but not to be content. The work ahead is to deliver the results of the Paris Agreement and this requires strong and continuous leadership at all levels. From the left Director of Tourism Colin Skerritt, Tameka Wharton, Tian Winter, Consul-General Ann-Marie Layne, Mikel Campbell Calypso Joe, Vice-Consul Gwendolyn Greene, Matara Richards and Novelle Richards and showcase our calypsonians at the same time,” Consul-General, Ann-Marie Layne noted. “The event was well received by the Antiguan and Barbudan and Caribbean diaspora and our other partners and we hope to be in a position to host a similar event sometime next year,” the Consul-General concluded. Director of Tourism Canada, Colin Skerritt noted that, “Antiguan and Barbudans living in Canada welcome our families, friends and business partners to commemorate this, our 35th Anniversary of Independence. Our beaches, our people and our rich and colourful history continue to motivate Canadian visitors to fall in love with our beautiful twin island nation. We look forward to observing this proud occasion with the local community.” The Antigua and Barbuda diaspora in Toronto will continue their independence celebrations at a Banquet and Gala hosted by the Antigua and Barbuda Association of Toronto (ABAT) on Saturday, 5 th November 2016. The guest speaker at the Banquet will be the Hon. Melford Nicholas, Minister of Information, Broadcasting, Telecommunications and Information Technology. The independence festivities will close with a Thanksgiving Service on Sunday 6 th November 2016. The guest preacher at that service will be Father Reid Simon of the Anglican Church in Antigua and Barbuda.
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Caribbean Times 30th Issue - Monday 7th November 2016

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