Jamaica committed to environmental protection - Samuda

Jamaica cannot sit idly by as a victim of the global climate crisis but must instead play its part in unearthing solutions to the climate change challenges impacting the region, charged Minister of Water, Environment, and Climate Change, Matthew Samuda.

Samuda has reaffirmed the Government's commitment to environmental protection under the Cartagena Convention.

"There is no illusion that we are facing a climate that has already changed. There is no dissonance in our position around this table that we are facing the impact of pollution, whether effluent discharge of plastic, and none of us would disagree that we have had a particular loss of biodiversity within this region," said Samuda while addressing the opening ceremony of the 18th Conference of the Parties (COP18) at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel on Monday.

"That is why the Cartagena Convention is so important. Several of the problems that we face today were nowhere near as chronic as they were in 1983. That suggests that we have much work to do. We must work through the convention and other mechanisms to ensure we can tackle the triple planetary crisis in our backyard... not sitting by simply as victims of this crisis, but as active participants in the solutions that are indeed available to us," he said, noting the value of the Caribbean Sea to the economies of Caribbean states' culture, history, and economy.

The triple planetary crisis refers to climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss, which is manifested through coral bleaching, declining water quality, and rising sea levels.

Governments, partners, and organisations will, from October 13-16 discuss at the COP18 matters of biodiversity protection within the Caribbean.

Against that background, Samuda outlined that Jamaica is in the final stages of ratifying the Protocol for Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife (SPAW), a major step in protecting marine biodiversity and enhancing environmental governance across the Caribbean region.

Samuda said that amending the Wildlife Protection Act was the final legislative step, and that the revised Act is expected to be tabled in Parliament within the coming weeks.

"We are not ratifying from a perspective of symbolism; we are ratifying because we acknowledge the principles and benefits of the Cartagena Convention. The SPAW Protocol brings to life greater protection for our oceans and wildlife, and Jamaica is ready to fulfil its obligations under this important regional framework."

The SPAW Protocol came into force in 2000 and provides a legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of coastal and marine biodiversity in the wider Caribbean.

It protects over 300 species of plants and animals through habitat preservation, restrictions on harmful trade, and the establishment of protected area networks.

Follow The Gleaner on X, formerly Twitter, and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.