Monday, October 20, 2008

“CLIMATE CHANGE, ITS EFFECT ON POVERTY”


A simple ceremony was conducted in the school’s auditorium. The theme for this ceremony was “Climate Change, its effect on Poverty”. This ceremony collaboratively observed:
(a) World Disaster Reduction Day, which was observed on the 10th October, 2008
(b) World Food Day, which was observed on the 16th October, 2008
(c ) International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, which was observed the 17th October, 2008.
The theme for World Disaster Reduction Day was “Hospitals Safe from Disasters”. This theme promoted the notion that when health facilities are damaged, health services are compromised.
The theme for World Food Day was ‘World Food Security: the Challenges of Climate Change and Bioenergy’. World Food Day aims to heighten public awareness of the plight of the World’s hungry and malnourished so that action will be taken to encourage people worldwide to take action against hunger.
The theme for the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is ‘working together out of Poverty’. This theme seeks to highlight the need for a truly global anti-poverty alliance, one in which both developed and developing countries participate actively.
Climate Change has been increasing the severity and frequency of weather-related natural hazards such as storms, high rainfalls, floods and droughts. Further, the face of disaster risk has threatened global food security. This has contributed to global poverty.
Additionally, it should be noted that the following factors have also contributed to the threat to food security:
a. the boom in biofuels, especially ethanol made from corn, is another primary cause. The International Monetary Fund estimates that last year biofuels accounted for almost half the increase in demand for major food crops
b. the rising cause of fossil fuels, which has driven up the cost of fertilizers and other inputs farmers need, as well as transport and storage costs
c. increase demand for meat and diary products. These goods require vast amounts of grains to produce
d. lack of government investment in small-scale food production over the past decades has made it harder for farmers to take advantage of higher prices and produce more food .

The highlight of this ceremony was a donation of food and clothes to a representative of the Ruimveldt Children’s Aid Center.
Other highlights of this ceremony included:
a.a Poem entitled, “Food Shortage” by Sarina Kawall
b.the feature address by Mr. Gabriell Lall
c.a minute of silence for all of those persons who have succumb to hunger
d.a song entitled, “Heel the World” by Leticha Greeves and Jana Edghill
In closing, students were reminded to participate in the process of growing more food.

By Mr. Pompey

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