A one-day conference for individuals concerned about the impact climate change will have on the U.S. Virgin Islands is scheduled for Feb. 6, 2009, on St. Thomas at the University of the Virgin Islands.
Keynote speakers for the conference are Dr. Leonard Nurse, a University of the West Indies researcher who was part of the United Nations scientific team that enabled former Vice President Al Gore to be awarded the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize for climate-related efforts, and Dr. Ulric "Neville" Trotz, the senior advisor of the Caribbean Community Climate Change Center in Belize.
The conference goal is to heighten awareness of what climate change could mean for the Virgin Islands and to develop guidelines, policies and procedures to address potential threats to the islands' ecology and economy. Drs. Nurse and Trotz are expected to share their ideas about what Virgin Islanders can expect as global climate changes continue and to discuss a range of possible solutions.
The conference is open to anyone interested in climate change in the Caribbean. It would be particularly important for public policy makers, such as members of the V.I. Legislature and other political leaders, to participate. Others who should be equally concerned include community activists and individuals involved in agriculture, tourism, coastal development, fishing and marine interests, and construction. This conference will be partly supported by the U.S. Geological Survey.
Following the conference, a follow-up meeting of local policy makers, along with the keynote speakers, is planned to enable local decision makers respond to climate change.
The deadline to register is Jan. 15, 2009. The cost is $50.
Lunch will be provided. Click here for an online registration
form.
For further information and registration requirement, contact UVI's
Office of the Vice Provost at 693-1062 or 692-4003.