Prime Minister of Grenada, Dr. The Rt. Hon. Keith Mitchell, calls for immediate, decisive action on climate change, warning that lives and livelihoods continue to be at stake.
He argues that the unifying nature of sports provides a platform to advocate for change, as has been done historically.
Even as he noted the recent pledge by G7 countries to mobilize 100 billion US dollars annually to assist poorer countries cut carbon emissions and cope with global warming, he argued that vulnerable countries should not depend solely on handouts.
In his words, “We ought not to wait on global consensus to act. Sir Frank Worrell did not wait on global consensus, on discrimination to mould his team to be the best outfit in the cricket business. He demonstrated sound leadership on the field of play and so too our countries need to show leadership in the field of climate change.”
His comments were made during his delivery of the 21st Frank Worrell Memorial Lecture on the topic, “Sport and Climate Change”, hosted recently by the University of the West Indies Faculty of Sport and which was held virtually.
Prime Minister Mitchell, an ardent supporter of West Indies cricket, said the same battling spirit that has seen the regional side triumph against the odds should be applied to the climate crisis that also affects sporting infrastructure and the health of players.
He called for climate adaptation measures to be incorporated into the design of new sporting venues and the refurbishment of existing structures.
He cited the Lord’s Cricket Ground in England as an example of a facility being powered by 100 percent renewable energy.
“One would expect that sporting facilities in the Caribbean and beyond will be greener and built to the necessary climate resilience standards and the region needs to take up the challenge to participate in the global fight against climate change from a holistic standpoint.
