PM warns parents to pay close attention to weather!

Prime Minister the Most Honourable Andrew Holness on Weather Events

During this period of unusual weather events, I am advising parents and community members to pay close attention to their children especially those children who are crossing gullies or flooded roadways.

What we are seeing is a consequence of a shift in weather patterns which is a direct result of climate change.

In tracking our weather activities over the last 50 years, the majority of our rainfall was concentrated in the north-eastern sections of the island, particularly in the parish of Portland. Based on our observation, this pattern has shifted to the north-western sections of the island.

Jamaica is now experiencing longer, and more intense periods of drought followed by shorter and more vigorous rainfall in sections of the island which were previously not prone to such heavy rains; this shift has been overwhelming the existing infrastructure and resulting in flooding.

It is to be noted that Jamaica’s infrastructure was originally built considering the weather trends of many years ago. Today this type of infrastructure has become obsolete.

This is why it is important for Jamaica to have a strong voice in fora such as the United Nations. Today I will be speaking on two critical topics; “Financing for Development” and “Moving to Fill the Climate Action and Sustainable Development Goals Financing”.

I will be continuing my advocacy for developed countries to fund climate adaptation and mitigation, for countries such as Jamaica, and other Small Island Developing States (SIDS), so that we can put in place the infrastructure that can withstand these adverse climatic events.