No party can fix climate change

THE EDITOR: Neither the People's National Movement (PNM) nor the United National Congress (UNC) can fix climate change.

It is extremely sad indeed to view and to hear about the struggling communities in Woodland and environs. I am no engineer but I am fully aware that globally, climate change is here to stay. Like in forever, not for a few years.

Increasing numbers of citizens living in low lying areas of Trinidad are now experiencing the worst flooding ever or experiencing flooding for the very first time.

Regardless as to how many billions of dollars allocated, regardless as to what measures may be taken, whether in the dry or rainy seasons, no human can prevent water erosion.

How many walls, and just how high, can any minister of works, from any political party, guarantee to prevent soil erosion and flooding?

How many years will it take for citizens trapped in low-lying land, to be moved to safety? There is no compensation for losing everything you have worked for.

Any manageable fixing now of river banks will be a temporary panacea. For one year? Two years?

The people (all citizens) need to contemplate
when, not
if, any government will arrange for citizens suffering flooding to be permanently relocated.

Please admit it: climate change, just like death, is inevitable.

And the billions of dollars used in shoring up river banks will be just pieces of paper floating in the floodwaters.

There can be no political blame games regarding flooding. None.

LYNETTE JOSEPH

Diego Martin