The 30th meeting of the Conference of the Parties took place in Belém, Brazil from 10-21 November 2025.  

This marked the second time Brazil was hosting such a global conference on the environment having been the venue in 1992 for the Rio Earth Summit.

The acclaimed leader of the free world did not send a high-level delegation to the summit because the US withdrew from the 2015 Paris Agreement, a global, legally binding agreement to combat climate change.

For the US, Climate Change is a partisan issue supported, in the main, by the democrats, rejected by the republicans.  At the heart of the issue is the belief that climate change is a hoax but global weather patterns exist.

Books have been written on the ‘climate conspiracy’ along with scholarly papers.  We reviewed some of those papers and read Michael Crichton’s ‘State of Fear.’  They would convince except that our experiences and visual scan interfere.

The earth is enveloped by its atmosphere and surrounded by its seas and oceans.

While national boundaries is a human construct with ownership lines based, in part, on the spoils of war, ‘discovery’ and invasion;

We know from the movement of the birds and marine life that neither group requires visas nor passports to inhabit the EEZ and airspace of any nation.  So, eventually, what affects one country can affect us all.

Covid-19 remains a recent example.  

But humanity is sinking in a sea of ‘alternate truths,’ and misinformation.  Social media plays its part.  We do not know what to believe and we can hardly trust our senses.

The January 6 attack on the US Capitol is a case in point.

But a quick scan around the world shows that something catastrophic is happening regardless of the label that is ascribed.

And that ‘something’ requires a global solution.

A 2025 survey done by the ASEAN Studies Centre revealed ‘climate change as the region’s top challenge for the first time.’

And prominent scientists have commented about the imminence and severity of droughts. And that hurricanes will increase in strength with catastrophic human impacts.

We know about hurricanes!!

So, it is always important that BVI pays close attention to climate information, hence our presence at COP 30.

Dr Kedrick Pickering, with his newly minted title, ‘Climate Envoy,’ and being a former minister of government with responsibility for the subject of Climate Change, led the BVI delegation to Belém.  

It seemed not to matter to the Premier that the good doctor’s politics are not aligned with his unless, of course, this is, in part, a tactical move.

For the Green General is laser focused on the issue of self-determination (AKA (for him)) independence and the greater his political support, the better.

Educating the people about the costs, obligations and responsibilities of independence is key.  

Their views are critical.  And if he is not afraid of what their answer may be, a referendum on the subject is urgent.

For without educating and canvassing views, his efforts cannot attract the gravitas that is required for success.  

So, it mainly appears a reactionary approach revolving around how the UK/BVI relationship is managed.

But we digressed from our discussion about the BVI potential in attending the Conference of the Parties.

It is clear.  Small island states and land at minimal pitch above sea level are most impacted by this phenomenon.  And the well-ventilated issue of food security is fast becoming serious.

Hon. Omar Hodge was battling above his weight as an initiative-taking pioneer for food security.  We should follow his lead.

And what about our reliance on fossil fuels?  If we hope to advance a moral argument, for our numbers and service economy make our contribution to the balance of greenhouse gasses insignificant, then we should continue our aggressive pitch to solar.

We like that today the Energy Minister, supported by the government and BVIEC did a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to officially commission the Anegada Hybrid Renewable Energy & Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Project.

That is a pioneering effort and a case of walking the talk.

And we know from the Climate Envoy’s report that BVI can benefit greatly from funding in the international community if our Climate Change Trust Fund , a novelty certainty in the subregion, is well established and resourced.

The world wants to help with its climate funding by chasing a story that can influence global possibilities.

BVI should be the place where many centres of excellence exist and where the world comes to learn for, we are small enough to shave years off the usual legislative process faced by larger countries.

COP is an important global gathering that we value and we can speak about its benefits on Fridays.

Happy Friday!