– Minister of Agriculture“…We have not thrown our hands in the air or bowed our heads in despair. We have taken a bold and visionary role in addressing the threat of climate change.”Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud, told the National Assembly when he addressed the issue of climate change and some of the initiatives being undertaken to ensure the country’s well being in the face of this crisis.The core of the Minister’s address centered on the current El Nino weather pattern, the effect it was having on the country and the Government’s response. However, he did take the time to identify the root cause of the country’s current drought-induced worries and the policies and projects in place to tackle the problem head on.Global weather patterns that once went back and forth between seasons have become increasingly violent and erratic as hurricanes become stronger, rainy seasons and monsoons deliver greater deluges and hot, sunny weather reaches new peak temperatures around the world.The time spans of these activities are changing as well, with seasons either protracting or lengthening far outside of the norm. The rising levels of pollutants in the air over the last few decades have upset the delicate balance that keeps the planet safe from harmful radiation as well as creating an avenue for higher temperatures on a global scale.The effects of these changes are far-reaching and impact the entire world. For Guyana,Jerseys NFL Wholesale, the most imminent threats are from prolonged and heavy rainy seasons, drought-like conditions and rising sea-levels since the country has a tendency to flood easily and a third of our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) comes from the Agricultural sector.Minister Persaud noted that the government has recognised the danger of flooding and drought to the livelihoods of Guyanese and has taken the initiative to embark on several national projects aimed at reducing the risk associated with these threats,Wholesale NFL Jerseys 2018, projects that are now integrated into the national budget and are allocated funding every year.According to the recent budget,Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale, approximately $3.2B has been allocated to several projects in the area of flood and drought prevention and mitigation. This includes increased resources being allotted for capacity development to the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), the Hydrometeorological Service and the Civil Defence Commission (CDC). Mentioning the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) and the benefits expected to arise from the scheme, the Minister said that the monies derived therein would be used to fund adaptation works along the lines of drainage, irrigation and sea defenses.He also said that the Government, ever mindful of the need for proactive initiatives to deal with the practical adverse impacts of climate change, has increased the capacity of the CDC with the National Disaster Preparedness Plan holding centre stage as it is reviewed.The plan encompasses national prevention,Jerseys China Wholesale, preparedness and relief plans to cope with all types of disasters, inclusive of drought conditions and flooding.According to the Minister,Cheap NFL Jerseys China, several bodies have been set up with the specific intention of focusing on Climate Change. These are the Climate Change Unit in the Office of the President, the REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation) Secretariat in the Guyana Forestry Commission and a National Climate Change Committee which holds representatives of the Guyana Forestry Commission, the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission, the Guyana Energy Agency, the Environmental Protection Agency,NFL Jerseys From China, the Hydromet Service and the University of Guyana.