UWI launches climate institute

THE University of the West Indies (UWI) has launched a new department to help the region cope with the fallout from climate change cope with the fallout from climate change.

The Global Institute for Climate-Smart and Resilient Development is to be based across UWI's five campuses.

Caricom chairman Gaston Browne, at the virtual launch on Thursday, said the institute will help the region's adaptation to and mitigation of the effects of climate change by educating a new generation and by helping to lower carbon emissions.

Dr John Agard, professor of tropical island ecology who heads the institute, said the Caribbean was on the frontline of climate change. Recalling three hurricanes in succession last year – Irma, Jose and Maria, he said, "What was rare has now become the new norm, leading to unprecedented destruction across the Caribbean."

He said the institute will be involved in teaching, research and innovation, which would entail collaboration and capacity-building.

Agard listed the expected outcomes from the new institute.

These goals were a better understanding of a changing climate system, the creation of scientific and legal best practice, pilot projects in resilience/sustainability and development, facilitation of public/private partnerships and a reduction of accompanying economic damage and social disruption.

Also speaking were Caribbean Emergency Disaster Management Agency head Elizabeth Riley, UNCDP regional head Luis Felipe Lopez-Calva, Open Society Foundation's president Lord Mark Malloch Brown, Justine Lucas who is the ex-director of music star Rihanna's Clara Lionel Foundation, and University of New South Wales (Australia), Prof Ian Jacobs.