Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour, Dr. the Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering  has highlighted what the environmental future of the Territory would look like if nothing is done to mitigate the effects of Climate Change.

Dr. Pickering, in remarks at the recent Arbour Day ceremony, said with rising sea levels, communities are going to be flooded. He said if Climate Change continues without changes in our behaviour, in the next 50 to 100 years, our beaches would be severely impacted in the Virgin Islands.

 The Minister further stated that everyone must take this seriously, as the Territory is dependent on the tourism economy, which can only be sustainable if the environment is preserved.

Dr. Pickering stated that a study indicated that 90 percent of the visitors who come to Virgin Islands, do so because they want to be a part of the pristine nature of the environment.

Honourable Pickering urged residents to plant trees to assist with the preservation of the environment and indigenous plant species.

The National Parks Trust is also encouraging the community to assist in the preservation of endemic and endangered plants by using native plants for landscaping which require lower maintenance and have already adapted to the local environment.

The Arbour Day ceremony was held on December 4 at the Francis Lettsome Primary School. This year’s celebration was observed under the theme, “Celebrating our Native Plants in a Changing Global Climate.”