New Caribbean climate change initiative launched

CASTRIES, St Lucia (CMC):

The Caribbean Climate Online Risk and Adaptation Tool (CCORAL) was launched today with regional countries hoping it will become another initiative that will result in meaningful progress in the battle to combat climate change.



The new initiative will promote climate smart development by helping to embed a risk management ethic in decision-making processes and is a seminal on-line support tool in keeping with the thrust to promote a culture of risk management across the region.



The CCORAL has been developed by the Belize-based Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC), with funding from the United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID) and the Climate Development and Knowledge Network (CDKN).



St Lucia’s Public Service Sustainable Development, Energy Science and Technology Minister Dr James Fletcher, said that the launch was taking place as the region deals with the 2013 tropical Atlantic hurricane season which, according to scientific predictions, will see above-normal hurricane activity.



“Indeed, we are convened here a mere three days after the passage of Tropical Storm Chantal which, thankfully, caused relatively little damage and no loss of life,” he told the delegates from various donor agencies, as well as regional and international organisations, adding that hurricanes pose a regular and real threat to the region.



“History has taught that visitation by a single hurricane can obliterate years of economic growth, literally overnight, while leaving lasting marks, not only on the physical landscape, but also on the national psyche,” he added.



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