Ministry of Blue Economy Also Focused on Climate Change, Sargassum

Andre Perez

The oceans have been identified as one of the key solutions to climate change globally, because the ocean absorbs far more carbon than terrestrial environments. The process allows the country to tackle climate change directly and indirectly.  Minister of Blue Economy, Andre Perez says that while the plan does not focus specifically on the impacts of climate change and the issue of sargassum, these are also important to the ministry and will be address simultaneously. While there is no immediate solution, there are plans in place to mitigate.

Andre Perez, Minister of Blue Economy

“There is no clear solution to it. Of course there is a fight across the whole world in reducing carbon emissions and Belize is committed to doing its part as well. When you talk about the sargassum, talking about beach erosion, the serious issue of Monkey River Town – we are discussing in fact yesterday in cabinet about what is happening in Monkey River as a town is major. And even though we did not get affected with the weather in the islands of Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye, beach erosion is getting worse and worse, even more than ever. So it is about working together in cases of the sargassum already. It cannot be at this point that we are not suffering from sargassum and we forget about it and deal with it next year. As we are here right now, it is ongoing talks and negotiations to deal with this problem that we have to do – as sargassum is related – I am looking at different options. Of course finance is important that we have to have different options and our prime minister was in Germany looking at a long-term solution.”