Introduction
Guyana is a country based on the north-eastern coast of South America. It is one of the tropical countries and is known to have minimal emissions of greenhouse gases, which contribute to air pollution. These emissions, however, have an impact on the global temperatures, which are significantly increasing, and this may cause an impact on the coastal plain, which will, in turn, affect the agricultural sector. Climate change has had an impact on different parts of the world, and it requires planned measures to adapt to this and help the different communities survive. This paper will discuss the various climate changes and the effects they have had on the communities and the adaptation measures put in place.
Climate change has led to disruptions that are evident in different ways and are caused by different factors. The effects include disruption to natural resources, damage to the water resources, the ecosystem, coastlines, health, and food supplies. With continued heating and change in the temperature changes, these effects might increase gradually, and thus, there is a need for adaptation and end to the emission of greenhouse gases. Guyana has been affected due to its location, as it is approximately 5 to 1 meter below the sea level. The rainfall patterns have been seen to change as a result, and there has also been an increase in storm surges.
The impact created as a result of climate change, there has been an effect on the country’s economy, especially in the forestry, fishery, and agriculture sectors. This is because these sectors rely on climate and the various aspects such as rainfall so they can give better results. When the rainfall patterns change, the chances of not having good harvests are high, and this, in turn, affects the economic performance of the country. These sectors are the main blocks and play a greater role in the country’s economy and the existence of the different communities in the county. These are the main souses of food in the country as it happens to be in the coastal region, and thus fishing is also economic activity.
In the past years, there has been a change in the weather events, and this has seen the country experience floods along with the coastal areas and some parts in the inland. Flooding caused by the change in weather patterns and the influence from the southern hemisphere has led to a lot of damages for both personal and state property. This, in turn, affects the gross domestic product of the country has been affected and thus affecting the country’s economy.
Adaptations are the set measures or adjustments that have been set so to help in both the natural and human systems in response to actual or stimulated changes that would affect the living conditions. There is a need to take the climate change issue seriously and have the right measures put in place. These adaptations are applied to the current impacts and also as a plan in preventing the impacts from taking place again. The Guyana government has put in place these measures, and they all start from a personal level to a community level. The government has increased its investment to help in reducing the impacts caused by climate change. The following are some of the adaptations enforced to help fight the climate change impact.
The country is working towards adapting to flood-resistant crops. The country is in the coastal region, and thus the flooding occasions might occur frequently. Flooding has been one of the effects of climate change, and thus there is a need for measures to be taken. Destruction of foods on the farm affects the agriculture sector, and there might be a shortage of food, and people might die of hunger. The agriculture sector also plays a role in the economic sector, and thus adapting to flood-resistant crops will, in turn, increase the gross domestic product of the country.
Upgrading the infrastructure system to help combat flooding and come up with better measures that can help in case flooding occurs. The drainage systems are improved and the maintaining and reinforcing the sea walls which protect the low-lying coastal areas. These adaptations also help improve the health levels as with good drainage systems in the country and more so in the residential areas, then people are protected from diseases, and they are also exposed to good healthcare systems in case they need help.
Individuals have to check on their living and how they handle climate change. There are systematic concerns that need to be put in place, such as the building codes. The country has also put in place an emergency response unit and come up with a way in which early warning can be given even before an impact hit. This will rep in the response system, and the concerned units will act accordingly, and the country is also financially prepared in case of any disaster occurring. Early preparedness is key in combating the problems caused by climate change as the country will not be hit to a large extent as it would have happened if there was no preparedness.
Guyana has created financial and insurance schemes, which have been put in place in case any risk occurs. This helps ensure any property or individual who may be affected by the impact, and in the end, there is compensation in case the risks occur. The country ensures that there is the provision of immediate financial help in case flooding occurs. This is a major more to boost resilience post flooding and have the affected parties taken care of without much struggle from the government.
Having forest communities is also another adaptation in dealing with climate change. Building new river defenses and introducing a variety of seeds for crops that are flood resistant will help improve the countries ability to deal with climate change. The forest community will give the environment a new look, and the ability for the soil to hold water will also improve. Therefore, the chances of experiencing floods will be minimal.
All these adaptations while putting in place will help in dealing with climate change. The end results can be achieved when the individuals choose to obey what they have been called upon and have the right measures taken in case an impact is felt. This kind of situation is aimed at bringing people in the country together and having them cooperate with the respective authorities so they can curb the problems brought about by climate change.
There have been challenges in adapting the measures as a result of different perspectives and understanding of climate change. People are aware of what is already happening, but they, at times, do not cooperate. To help implement these measures, then it must be from a personal perspective and help the government in achieving its goals. When advised to live in areas that are not prone to flooding, they take the issue lightly, and they end up doing the opposite. The chances of them being affected by the landslides and floods increase, and as it is part of human nature, they still blame it on the government.
The government has come up with an initiative of giving the farmers the seeds of flood resisting crops, and now it is up to them to decide which seeds to plant. Some have been resistant, and they will plant those that are just for the normal areas, and when floods occur, they are a lot of losses experienced. This affects the country’s economy, and it also affects the supply of food in the country.
Climate change is one thing that has become a global issue and is affecting almost all countries in the world directly or indirectly. The impacts created are so evident that in case some measures are not taken, then it will turn into a great problem. In this case, Guyana has experienced a lot of impacts that range from economic, agriculture, and the fishing sector. This is the main economic activity in this country, and thus, when something bad happens, the country is hit hard. The various measures put in place help in dealing with these impacts, and thus there is some light on the issue. Although there are challenges experienced on the way, there is still some hope that by working together and taking individuals initiative, then it is easier to deal with these impacts.