Basseterre, St. Kitts, January 30, 2019 (SKNIS): The Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC) and the United State Agency for International Development (USAID) handed over two vital pieces of equipment installed in St. Kitts and Nevis under the Climate Change Adaptation Programme (CCAP) to reduce the risk of climate change impacts in the Federation on January 29 at the Solid Waste Management Conference Room.
The two pieces of equipment that were handed over are the Coral Reef Early Warning System (CREWS), and Hydro Metrological Station located in Ottley’s Village. The CREWS station contains sensors to monitor meteorological and air-based data such as wind speed, barometric pressure and UV Rays, as well as oceanographic sensors that measure salinity and sea temperature.
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The goal of the use of these equipment is to reduce the risk to human and natural assets resulting from climate vulnerability. They are designed to provide a coordinated response to the impacts of climate change and will greatly enhance the performance of the national data network.
Conservation Officer, Cheryl Jeffers, said that data are critical and drive the decisions within various organizations. The information that is received from both pieces of equipment will assist not just within government but also the private sector.
“This is the first time that we are in a position to collect maritime information outside of the usual parameters such as wind, rainfall and atmospheric pressure,” she said.
Minister of Agriculture and Environment, the Honourable Eugene Hamilton, said that the government is pleased to have the support of USAID for the funding of the equipment.
“It is my pleasure to deliver brief remarks on this auspicious occasion as we engage in the official handing over ceremony of some very important pieces of equipment. As the minister with responsibility for environment and climate change initiatives, I take pleasure in welcoming each and every one of you to this event and on behalf of the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis I wish at the outset to express the government’s profound gratitude to USAID and I thank them for funding this initiative,” he said.
He said that financial contribution is greatly welcomed by the Government and people of St. Kitts and Nevis as it helps in achieving the country’s sustainable development goals.
He added that over the years, there has been devastation caused to key sectors of tourism, agriculture, damage to the water systems and other infrastructure. He also outlined that as a response to current and projected impacts in St. Kitts and Nevis, the government supports and welcomes initiatives that minimize risks.
“St. Kitts and Nevis recognizes that for climate change impacts to be sustainably addressed within the region, access to reliable data as well as incorporating such data in the decision-making process at all levels, would result in better outcomes. We therefore welcome the steps of the CCCCC and USAID which they undertook. My government will continue to undertake various adaptation and mitigation actions to ensure that St. Kitts and Nevis builds its resilience to reduce the impacts of climate change,” he said.
