As the world turned its focus to the UNCCD COP16 under the theme “Our Land, Our Future”, Hon. Vaughn P. Miller, Minister for the Environment and Natural Resources, in his address in the Plenary Hall at COP16 in Riyadh, The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on the behalf of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas, reflected on the symbiotic relationship between its land and its people. “For generations, this small island nation has relied on its land for sustenance, yet its vulnerability to climate change and land degradation has never been more apparent”.
Minister Miller highlighted a poignant quote from a generational author which reminds us: “We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect.” This sentiment captures the urgent need for transformative action to protect The Bahamas’ fragile ecosystems and secure its future.
As a low-lying nation in the Atlantic Hurricane Belt, The Bahamas is acutely susceptible to the devastating impacts of climate change. Rising sea levels, coastal erosion, and saline intrusion threaten freshwater resources and degrade agricultural land. These challenges not only diminish food security but also place economic and social stress on coastal agricultural communities.
“Marine resources, which is vital to the nation’s economy and culture, are being degraded, while increasing import bills exacerbate national vulnerabilities. Yet, The Bahamas has emerged as a regional leader, taking bold steps to address these threats”.
He also stated that in just a decade, The Bahamas has made significant strides toward sustainable land management and climate resilience, including: Environmental Legislation: Landmark policies now regulate land development and promote environmental protection, Plastic Bans: Single-use plastics, including bags and Styrofoam containers, have been eliminated, Marine Conservation: Marine protected areas have more than doubled, safeguarding crucial wetlands and ecosystems, Forestry and Biodiversity: New protected forests have been established, and the list of protected tree species has quadrupled and Agricultural Innovation: The country has launched propagation and composting facilities to promote regenerative, climate-smart agriculture.
In closing, he thanked the Saudi Arabian Government for providing the platform for The Bahamas’ voice to be heard and stated, “As The Bahamas continues to champion sustainable practices, it sends a clear message that our land is not merely a commodity but a vital community that must be protected with love and respect”. The Conference of the Parties 16 (COP16) was held December 2nd – 13th, 2024. Minister Miller was the 13th speaker among the limited number of ministers that were selected to make a formal statement.
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