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Policymakers benefit from expertise in addressing Climate Change

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Kingston, Jamaica, December 19, 2016 – Local policymakers are benefiting from the expertise of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to better understand the risks and implications of the weather-related phenomenon in order to more effectively mitigate its effects.  Set up in 1988 by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the IPCC provides governments with regular assessments of the scientific basis of climate change, its impacts and future risks, and options for adaptation and mitigation.

In November, regional representatives of the IPCC journeyed to Jamaica to participate in activities to mark Climate Change Awareness Week from November 29 to December 3.  The activities, spearheaded by the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, which is responsible for the climate-change portfolio, engaged IPCC representatives from Cuba, Suriname, Haiti and other members of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

Focus was placed on raising awareness among policymakers and the scientific community from across the region about the IPCC’s role and activities, demonstrate how climate change is affecting the region, and highlight solutions to the challenges.  Activities included a media workshop and a two-day symposium at the University of the West Indies’ (UWI) Regional Headquarters at Mona.

Head of Communications for the IPCC, Jonathan Lynn, in his address at the media workshop, explained that the entity was set up in response to the need to provide governments with advice and information on “what we know about climate change, what we know about the causes, its impact, the future risks and the possible options for dealing with it”.

Thousands of scientists from all over the world contribute to the work of the IPCC on a voluntary basis as authors, contributors and reviewers.  The panel consists of climatologists, biologists, botanists, social scientists, economists, political scientists, and philosophers, among other experts.   “The IPCC is neutral.   Governments have asked us to tell them what is going on and this is what we do… . There may be a need for further research to clarify a particular problem, but we do not have a particular agenda that we are pushing but rather, just telling it like it is,” Mr. Lynn informed.

“We do not conduct our own research, we do not do our own measurements of the climate or the weather, we do not produce our own climate models… . Our job is to assess the science that is out there, the science that is published,” he further clarified.  He argued that with the thousands of scientific publications on climate change released every year, it would be impossible for any one individual or government to interpret, understand or keep track of everything; therefore, the IPCC’s role is extremely important and critical.

“So, the IPCC looks at the thousands of research and pulls it together and outlines where the scientific community agrees, where there are still some uncertainties, where there is a need for further research on the subject, and that gives governments a scientific foundation (so) that they can build their policies,” he pointed out.

He explained that the IPCC’s main audience is not the general public, civil society or the media, but rather “government policymakers and the people who have to respond to climate change, those who need to know what are the hard sciences when they take decisions about building a road, or a city, or preparing to deal with disasters… . They need to have a firm basis of knowledge so that they can take some decisions”.

Mr. Lynn said the IPCC’s findings are also used for international negotiations related to climate change, including the Paris Agreement that was reached in 2015.  The Paris Agreement brings all nations into a common cause to undertake ambitious efforts to combat climate change and adapt to its effects, with enhanced support for developing countries.   “There are no borders to climate change; it is a global phenomenon, so to deal with it, the world has to come together,” Mr. Lynn noted.

“So when an IPCC report is produced it is incredibly powerful, because it reflects both the views of the scientific community and that of the policymakers and governments,” he said.  To communicate IPCC assessment findings and methodologies and to explain the way the organisation works, the IPCC organises various outreach activities and presentations at national and international meetings.

It also works with the media to convey relevant and accurate information to the public on IPCC assessments and activities.  Lauding the efforts of the IPCC in the local activities, Chief Technical Director in the Ministry, Lieutenant Colonel (ret’d) Oral Khan, told JIS News that the entity’s   engagement was quite impactful.  “They shared with our policymakers, academic community, media, students and other interested persons the state of the science on climate change.  The information would confirm that the climate is indeed changing in a very significant way and, because of this, policies must be found to build our resilience in order to be spared the worst impacts of climate change,” he said.

The Chief Technical Director noted that the intention is to enlist the participation of the local science and research community in climate research, and encourage regional participation.  The media workshop, he said, was aimed at fostering a better understanding of climate science, solutions to climate change and the IPCC process among members of that group.  “So we had a rich exchange of ideas, sharing of information, and at the end, the information will go out across the Caribbean,” he told JIS News.

The IPCC is organised in three working groups and a task force, which are assisted by technical support units (TSUs).  Working Group I deals with the physical science basis of climate change; Working Group II focuses on climate-change impacts, adaptation and vulnerability; while Working Group III addresses mitigation.

Participation in the IPCC is open to all member countries of the WMO and United Nations. It currently has 195 members.

 

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Caribbean News

Liberty Caribbean Supports Regional Forum on AI, Cyber Resilience and Digital Inclusion  

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Port of Spain, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO (February 24, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow, Liberty Business and BTC, recently served as Gold-Level Partner of the two-day Trinidad and Tobago Internet Governance Forum (TTIGF), themed “The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience”.

The Digital Divide is of particular interest to Liberty Caribbean and is being addressed through its Charitable Foundation across the region. Low broadband penetration in the Caribbean contributes to diminished opportunities for individuals, communities, and local economies, but with the support of funding partners, this gap can be addressed through a comprehensive programme – JUMP – that focuses on providing access, devices, and digital skills.

“Liberty Caribbean was proud to serve as Gold-Level Partner of the TTIGF because the conversations taking place here shape key digital policies for multiple stakeholders,” said Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad.

“As technology accelerates at an unprecedented pace, we must ensure that innovation strengthens our societies rather than fragments them. The theme, ‘The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience,’ speaks directly to the work we do every day: building networks that are not only fast and reliable, but secure, inclusive and future-ready.”

Across the Caribbean, the digital divide remains one of the most pressing barriers to equitable growth. Low broadband penetration limits access to education, entrepreneurship and essential services, and that is why we are deeply committed to closing this gap.

Through the Liberty Caribbean Charitable Foundation and initiatives like the JUMP Programme, the company is expanding access to technology, affordable connectivity and digital skills training so that individuals and communities are empowered to participate fully in the digital economy.

Martin-Sulgan further stated “at Liberty Caribbean, we believe progress and responsibility must move in lock step. By investing in resilient networks, inclusive programmes and trusted partnerships, we are helping to build a Caribbean that is innovative, secure and prepared for the opportunities ahead.”

Topics covered during the Forum, with over 140 participants, included “Securing Critical Infrastructure”, Integrating AI into Digital Transformation”, “The Digital Divide”, The Human Cost of Innovation – Mental Health and Well-being in the Digital Age’, and AI, Cyber Resilience and Regional Innovation”.

Focused on the underlying mandate of the Conference theme thought leaders, innovators, policymakers, technologists, researchers, and community stakeholders were invited to explore how countries can evolve boldly without compromising values or long-term stability.

Photo Caption: 

TTIGF – l-r Darren Campo, Regulatory & Compliance Officer; Yolande Agard-Simmons, Senior Manager Communications; and Kevon Swift, Senior Manager Government and Regulatory Affairs of Flow Trinidad in attendance at the Post Event Mixer at Caribbean Telecommunications Union’s Head Office in St Clair, Port of Spain

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Multi-Agency Enforcement Action Conducted in Five Cays

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 20 February 2026 — The Informal Settlements Unit (ISU), in collaboration with key government agencies, coordinated a multi-agency enforcement exercise on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at Block and Parcel 60609/33 in the Five Cays area.

The exercise was led by the Crown Land Unit, pursuant to its statutory mandate under the Crown Land Ordinance to prevent squatting and encroachment on Crown land. The ISU coordinated the operation, with support provided by the Planning Department and the Turks and Caicos Islands Border Force, while the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force ensured security throughout the activity.

The enforcement action followed a series of inspections conducted by the Crown Land Unit throughout Five Cays, which identified several illegally constructed buildings made of concrete and timber on sections of the subject parcel. In keeping with the provisions of the Crown Land Ordinance, occupied structures were served Letters of Illegal Occupation, delivered by hand to occupants and posted on structures where individuals were absent. Incomplete and unoccupied structures were served Notices of Unauthorized Occupation pursuant to section 22 of the Ordinance. A total of ten (10) Letters of Illegal Occupation and three (3) Notices of Unauthorized Occupation were issued during the exercise.

The Informal Settlements Unit reiterates that these coordinated enforcement exercises form part of the Government’s ongoing efforts to uphold the law, protect Crown land, and manage informal settlements in a structured and lawful manner. Members of the public are reminded that unauthorised occupation and development on Crown land is unlawful and subject to enforcement action.

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Health

What to Look for with Self-Checks at Home

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February is National Self- Check Month and family medicine physician at Cleveland Clinic, OH, John Hanicak, MD, highlights why at home self-checks are extremely important when it comes to not just early cancer detection but identifying other illnesses too and offers tips on what to look out for.

“Sometimes Ilook at them as sort of like your check engine light on the car, just like therewould be a red flashing light that tells you that there’s something wrong with acar and prompts you to bring that in and get serviced. Your body does the samething. It gives you warning signs tolook intothat symptom a little bit further,” said Hanicak.

Dr. Hanicak saidself-checks are going to be a little different for everyone. 

However, in general, he recommends looking for anything that may seem abnormal, such asunexplained weight loss,blood in your urine, bumps and bruisesthat won’t heal,and changes in bowel habits. 

For example, if you suddenly start going to the bathroom a lot more than you used to, that could bea signof something more serious. 

He also suggestsdoing regular skin checksanddocumentingany molesor spotsthat start to look different. 

“Realize that you are your own person.There’s nobody else in the world exactly like you.You’ve got your own set ofideas, your own family history and your own genetics.Know what is normal for you, and when that changes, that’s the kind of thing thatwe would be interested in talking about,” said Dr. Hanicak. 

Dr. Hanicaknotes that self-checks are not meant to replace cancer screenings, as those are just as important to keep up with. 

Press Release: Cleveland Clinic

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