From deadly heatwaves and devastating droughts, to decimated forests and coastlines eroded by rising sea levels, climate change is already taking its toll worldwide.

Commonwealth Day is an annual celebration observed by people all over the Commonwealth in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and Americas, the Pacific and Europe.

It will be celebrated on Monday 8th March 2021, with a schedule of virtual events, here at home and across member states with support from the British High Commission, St George’s.

Building on the 2020 theme, which is carried forward into this year “‘Delivering a Common Future’: Connecting, Innovating, Transforming, celebratory activities will be held across the 54 member countries of the Commonwealth.

This theme highlights how the 54 member countries in the Commonwealth family are innovating, connecting and transforming’ to help achieve some of its biggest goals, like protecting natural resources and boosting trade.

In Grenada, the day will be marked by a National Youth Parliament sitting where nineteen (19) Youth Parliamentarians will discuss the topic “BE IT RESOLVED that the targets and goals of the National Sustainable Development Plan 2020-2035 be extended to 2040, with the aim of improving the way people live, work, treat our natural environment and interact with our institutions and each other”.

This will be followed by a round table discussion on Wednesday March 11^th, on the topic “Our Planet, Our Future, Fighting Climate Change Together”. It will feature Students, Youth Ambassadors and the Ministry of Agriculture. The panelists will look at efforts made to combat challenges associated with Climate Change as well as intervention by Government and other key stakeholders.

It will be a Ninety (90) minute forum which will allow public interaction. The Division of Youth Development has partnered with the Government Information Service (G.I.S) for the facilitation and broadcast of the discussion.

Minister w.r.f Youth Development Hon. Kate Lewis, in speaking of plans to commemorate Commonwealth Day 2020 said “Our action on climate change adaptation must involve all parts of society and all levels of governance, We will work to build a climate resilient society by improving knowledge of climate impacts and adaptation solutions; by stepping up adaptation planning and climate risk assessments; by accelerating adaptation action; and by helping to strengthen climate resilience in Grenada, with youth playing an integral role throughout the process”.

Both events have received the support of the British High Commission.

Resident British Commissioner, Wendy Freeman said “The British High Commission St George’s is delighted to support the Youth Department’s annual Youth Parliament marking Commonwealth Day for another year.

The focus on climate change and the environment is an important focus for both Grenada and the UK as we prepare for the COP26 in Glasgow in November. The UK is committed to supporting Small Island Developing States which includes Grenada and other Caribbean nations to ensure that their climate concerns are amplified and addressed.

The Youth Parliament is key as it provides a platform for young people to be added to the discourse in offering solutions. We are very happy to continue this support.”