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Environmental Issues in Guyana Our environment • The environment is what surrounds us, including our neighbourhoods, the countryside and our forests. • Parts of our natural environment such as forests, wildlife, water systems etc support human life. Precious water • Trees help to bring about rain. Without trees many areas will have very little or no rain. • Forests and its leaf litter helps to control how water enters the groundwater and they prevent flooding, landslides, erosion and other water related damage. • Water is vital to human life Food • Most of our food originated originally from the natural environment and in many cases now farmed by humans. • We still depend on elements of the natural elements such as insects for pollination which is crucial in the production of fruit and vegetables. Shelter • Many people and communities still depend on trees and other natural sources for building material for homes, such as wood and palm leaves for roofs. Income generation • If used sustainably our natural resources can provide employment for people. • Such as sustainable logging, craft production, medicinal plants, and ecotourism Climate stabilization •Forests are recognized to provide stability for weather patterns around the world and also in nearby villages and towns. •Forests in one part of the world are known to provide rain elsewhere. •Deforestation has been linked directly droughts in other parts of the world Wildlife supporting forests • Some wild animals such as monkeys and bats are crucial in the health of rainforests and play crucial roles in germination and other stages of growth. • Without some animals some trees such as the Greenheart will no longer exist. Main issues in Guyana’s environment Gold mining • Widespread and uncontrolled gold mining is a growing concern. • This activity leads to deforestation, mercury pollution and destruction to the forest and affects native wildlife as well as Amerindian communities. Main issues in Guyana’s environment ctd. • Logging All logging activities result in some amount of damage to the forest and loss of homes for wild animals. Unregulated logging has even more severe Impacts. Access roads, increased traffic and noise are also impacts of logging activities. Main issues in Guyana’s environment Wildlife trade • Some wild animals are targeted for the wildlife trade, and some are trafficked illegally to neighbouring countries. • This can lead to over hunting of animals which can lead to loss of some species over a period of time. Climate change • With increasing amounts of certain gasses such as CO2 and methane, our climate is changing. The loss of trees is also a factor since tress take up CO2 and convert it to woody material (biomass). • With less trees, more CO2 will remain in the atmosphere, further promoting climate change • Climate change includes higher or lower temperatures in various parts of the world. • Also means more or less rainfall in other parts of the world, contributing to flooding and droughts. Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy • An initiative of the Guyana government working closely with Norway. • The plan aims to get money for protecting and carefully using our forests. • Here, forests are recognized as a valuable resource that needs more protection and has far reaching value to the world. • Guyana will be looking to develop sectors which do not produce a lot of carbon dioxide, i.e. those that do not depend on much use of fossil fuels (gasoline, diesel etc.) • For more information www.lcds.gov.gy The role of every Guyanese in protecting our environment • • • • Support responsible logging Support responsible gold mining Support responsible wildlife trade Use energy, i.e. electricity and gasoline carefully including avoiding wasting electricity or fuel. • Recycle and reuse where possible • Avoid littering, dumping and the polluting of water ways