professionals working in the field of environmental management

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By Therese FergusonOver the past decades, human impact on the environment has increased dramatically, with the rate and scale of environmental change taking on heightened dimensions. As a consequence, environmental management has become critical in order to develop and implement guidelines for resource use and development, as well as to ensure convergence between resource use and conservation.For Guyana and the Caribbean region, environmental management has added significance. The geographical and geological characteristics of these nation-states render them extremely vulnerable to natural hazards and their effects, including hurricanes, earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, flooding and drought. Indeed, in recent decades, there has been a significant increase in the frequency, magnitude and duration of natural disasters worldwide and regionally.Moreover, the present and future dangers of climate change, including sea-level rise, pose increasing threats to the natural, built and social environments of these nations. Additionally, the economies of the region are highly dependent on their natural resource bases to support economic activities. These include tourism, mining and quarrying, industrial development and agriculture. Consequently, the economies of the region are also increasingly at risk.In Guyana, the situation is particularly indicative of regional vulnerabilities. Approximately 90% of Guyana’s population is concentrated in its coastal plain, along with the country’s major economic activities and infrastructure.  The geographic and geomorphologic features of this part of the country make the capital city of Georgetown prone to flooding.  As a result, economic activities, infrastructure and the health of its citizens are all at risk, as was seen in 2005, during one of the most devastating flood events in the nation’s history. This event demonstrates in a significant way the need for environmental management in general, as well as the need for disaster management in particular.In recognition of these needs, the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences (SEES) of the University of Guyana has developed and is now offering a Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Management, with two Specialisation Streams in (i) Natural Resources Management and (ii) Climate Change and Disaster Management.The programme is comprises a range of Core courses, including offerings such as, Environmental Impact Assessment, Geographical Information Systems, Environmental Planning and Problem-Solving and Environmental and Natural Resources Economics, alongside Specialisation Stream courses, such as, Sustainable Energy, Forest Resources Management, Parks and Protected Areas, Disaster Risk Management in the Caribbean and Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation. Lecturers for the Programme will be drawn from expertise within the Faculties/Schools of the University of Guyana.Additionally, professionals working in the field of environmental management, disaster management and climate change, drawn from national and regional agencies, will also have opportunities to contribute from their own first-hand experiences.Multidisciplinary in nature, the Postgraduate Diploma programme is aimed at graduates and professionals in the field of environmental management working in government departments, semi-autonomous agencies, non-governmental organisations, media entities, disaster management, emergency management, health services and other private and public sector agencies with an environment focus who wish to upgrade their knowledge and skills.It is envisioned that the programme would build national and regional capacity amongst professionals nationally and regionally, equipping them with the competencies, knowledge, skills and technical expertise to plan and implement policies, plans, programmes and actions that will enhance development, sustain livelihoods, reduce environmental degradation and destruction and improve environmental quality, as well as to effectively plan for and respond to disasters and climate change within a risk management framework.Upon completion of the Programme, individuals will be able to:·    Understand the various policy and planning issues surrounding environmental management;·    Engage in sound and effective environmental planning and problem-solving;·    Utilize scientific approaches to address issues in environmental management;·    Understand the causes and consequences of natural hazards;·    Understand the factors responsible for climate change and its impact on the bio-physical and social environments;·    Design, develop and implement climate change mitigation and adaptation measures;·    Effectively plan for and respond to disasters; and·    Further research and policy agendas in support of environmental management.There is no doubt that tertiary education has a critical role to play in establishing and developing the skills necessary for a proactive, innovative and holistic approach to environmental management.The country’s premier tertiary institution, the University of Guyana, is continually responding to this need in its improved undergraduate programme offerings and its enhanced postgraduate programmes. The Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Management is therefore a welcome addition to the University’s programme offerings and is well poised to contribute to a critical cadre of professionals in the field of environmental and disaster management.