Minister of State Joseph Harmon, while describing the US’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement as unfortunate, said on Friday that government remains committed to the pact.
“…Many of the countries who have actually signed on to it, did so voluntarily and whether they stay or they go will be a matter of choice for them. But it really is a serious matter of concern for us and we are committed to it. We are committed to the benefits which also accrue under that Paris agreement,” he said.
At the time Harmon was responding to questions during a post-Cabinet press briefing held at the Ministry of the Presidency (MOTP).
Last Thursday, President Donald Trump announced the US’s withdrawal from the agreement.
Asked for his reaction to this announcement, Harmon told reporters “It is unfortunate that that position has been taken by the United States because the rest of the world is going in a certain direction.”
He said President David Granger had the distinction of being the first Head of State to sign on to the agreement. He pointed out that recently there was a climate change conference at the Ramada Hotel, Providence which focused on national adaptation processes.
Harmon said that in spite of the US pull out, government believes the push behind climate change will see “us overcoming the effects of a withdrawal of the United States of America from this process.”
Asked if the US’s position could see small countries pulling out of the agreement, he said that while he did not want to speculate given that he cannot speak for any other country, what he can say is that Guyana is committed to the agreement.
“We have actually seen the impact which global warming can have…,” he said before making mention of the recent devastating floods in Regions Seven and Eight.
He said while some on the coast look at global warming as a concept, to many in the hinterland regions of Guyana, it is a way of life they have actually come around to understanding will affect their daily lives and their livelihood.
Asked why it was the government was concerned about the US’s withdrawal, he spoke of the amount of money that the US usually pump into projects.
“The US is a major financial contributor to such agreements,” he said adding that the US along with China and India were among the last countries to sign on to the agreement after a very long period of gestation.
“I believe that whatever movement takes place after this the international community will have to regroup and have a fresh look at the commitments that have been made under the agreement and move forward,” he said.
