KINGSTON, Jamaica — Minister Matthew Samuda recently spoke at the 7th Session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-7). He highlighted the urgent need for action on climate change, especially for countries most affected by it.
Under the theme “Advancing Sustainable Solutions for a Resilient Planet,” Samuda reflected on Jamaica’s struggles with climate impacts over the last few years. He noted that Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm, caused devastation, damaging infrastructure and natural habitats worth about US$8.8 billion, which is a staggering 41% of Jamaica’s GDP.
This storm is part of a troubling trend. Jamaica has experienced more extreme weather since 2021, including two tropical storms and the hottest day in its history. With these events, soil quality has declined, pollination has suffered, and saltwater has contaminated drinking water. This puts agriculture and food security at risk.
Despite these challenges, Jamaica is determined to rebuild. Recently, the country took several key steps, such as ratifying the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement and updating its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) for carbon emission reductions. Additionally, they aim to increase protected areas for land and sea, and they’ve implemented new regulations to ban single-use plastics.
Samuda also introduced the idea of the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI). This tool could help Small Island Developing States (SIDS) secure financing based on their climate vulnerabilities rather than just their income levels. He called for inclusive decisions that tackle all environmental issues.
Jamaica expressed its support for important resolutions aimed at enhancing the role of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and addressing pressing issues like massive sargassum blooms and coral reef resilience.
In his closing remarks, Samuda emphasized that tackling climate change is a global responsibility. “This task belongs to all of us,” he stated.
Recent studies show that global temperatures have risen 1.2°C since pre-industrial times, and without serious action, the effects of climate change could become even more severe. As we move forward, it’s clear that collaboration and commitment from every nation are critical to building a sustainable future.
For more detailed insights on climate change impacts, you can visit NASA’s Climate Change site.
