Panton heading to climate summit in Glasgow

| 29/10/2021 | 147 Comments
Cayman News Service
Premier Wayne Panton

(CNS): Officials have confirmed that Premier Wayne Panton, the Cayman Islands’ first ever minister for climate resiliency, will be travelling to Scotland this weekend to attend the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow. Panton will join the UK delegation and have access to the Blue Zone, the United Nations-managed space that hosts the negotiations, his office stated. Access to the zone is restricted primarily to government ministers and officials.

Panton will remain at the event until 3 November, when he will return home because, he said, he is well aware of the need to address the issues here surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and to finalise the PACT Government’s first budget.

But he said he would make Cayman’s voice heard about climate change while in Glasgow.

“Our presence there will afford the Cayman Islands an opportunity to strengthen our relationships with global partners in our collective fight against climate change and the damage it is doing to planet Earth,” said Panton. “The impact of climate change is frightening, especially for small islands states like ours. Our voices need to be heard loud and clear and I intend to add mine to those of our regional colleagues who share the same vulnerabilities and concerns.”

The Caribbean is highly vulnerable to sea level rise and increasing water temperatures and Panton said the rallying cry remains “1.5 to stay alive”, which is the aim to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels to prevent the worst of the climate change impacts on our region, including the survival of our coral reefs and marine biodiversity.

“I join with the regional community to strongly advocate closing the emissions gap, and increasing financial support for those nations most vulnerable to climate change impacts,” he said.

Cayman will be well represented, as student activists Dejae Lyons and Isabella Watler and the National Trust’s Environmental Programmes Manager Catherine Childs are also attending. Panton said it was critically that important young people are included in the climate talks. “It is their future that is being discussed and they should be included in the conversation.”


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Category: Climate Change, Policy, Politics, Science & Nature

Comments (147)

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  1. Anonymous says:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cAtvkjWRQU&t=4s

    Don’t let the foreigners snow you. Use your head

  2. Anonymous says:

    Cayman is being given this unique opportunity to change as a country, only Cayman, well cayman first.
    We have to start somewhere and I rather it be here.
    Where should we start?
    We cannot be killing and expecting to live. This can be understood by everyone.
    I wish to state my opinions without sounding too righteous and I honestly do not like telling people what to do but it must be done.
    Where would you start?
    We will not have a choice anymore, should we fail to act.
    We are on the cusp at this moment actually.

  3. Can you says:

    quarantine on your boat?

    Asking for a friend…

  4. Anonymous says:

    Stop eating meat, Wayne.

  5. Anonymous says:

    So, Wayne will be in enforced quarantine for 8 days with a wrist band on until he tests negative by PCR test, correct?

    I assume he’s already registered his quarantine location for his return on the 3rd….

    • Anonymous says:

      Of course he has to, that is the law! Right….. he’s not above the law is he? He’s just an elected official. Maybe he will then realize how ludicrous this is….

    • Anonymous says:

      Will he be getting house calls and numerous phone calls to check he isn’t breaching quarantine?

      • Anonymous says:

        Tell you what if he can get public health or the quarantine crew to return a phone call I will consider voting for him next election

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