The Cuban Lázaro Márquez Govea, a specialist from the Guanahacabibes National Park, was among the 100 members of the International Youth Climate Delegate Program elected by the United Nations (UN) system.
It is “a valuable opportunity to present our experiences, learn about those of other countries and be able to transmit them later in our communities,” Márquez Govea was quoted as saying by Granma newspaper.
Uno de los 100 candidatos del mundo escogidos por el Sistema de Naciones Unidas para el Programa Internacional de Jóvenes Delegados del Clima es el cubano Lázaro Márquez Govea, especialista del Parque Nacional Guanahacabibes@ElbaRosaPM@SANTANACITMA @ArmandoRguezB@citmacuba pic.twitter.com/uaf4XMp9if
— Ministerio de Ciencia, Tecnología y Medio Ambiente (@citmacuba) June 25, 2023
A forestry engineering graduate and certified diver, Márquez Govea is the only Cuban in this initiative, which is part of the preparatory activities for the Climate Summit (COP28), scheduled for the end of the year.
From coral protection to the Cuban parrot
According to his words, commented by this medium, it is also a recognition of the Guanahacabibes National Park and the scientific and nature protection work that has been carried out for decades in this region of Pinar del Río.
Márquez Govea forms part of various projects such as the reproduction of endangered coral species, the monitoring and conservation of the Cuban parrot, as well as the cleaning of the beaches of oceanic garbage that washes up on them every year, known as Costa Limpia (Clean Coast).
In Guanahacabibes, which holds the status of a protected area and a Biosphere Reserve, Márquez Govea assures there is evidence of the effects of climate change in aspects such as the frequency and intensity of extreme meteorological phenomena such as hurricanes and periods of intense drought.
In addition, the bleaching of corals as a result of the increase in sea temperature, the shift in the breeding season of species such as red and white crabs, and even the modification of the landscape in coastal areas.
Cuban voice at COP28
Márquez Govea will be speaking about the experiences and actions to mitigate these phenomena during the exchanges that will lead to COP28.
“There are many expectations, because it is the most relevant event of its kind worldwide and because its international youth climate delegate program will allow us to learn about the evidence of climate change we have in each of our territories and how people are adapting in the most vulnerable ecosystems.”
The 100 young delegates who will participate in the COP28 debates will help to make the opinion of the new generations heard during the crucial talks aimed at protecting the planet.
The initiative has the purpose of amplifying the voices, perspectives and priorities of global youth in the multilateral process of the Climate Summit and that their points of view and their proposals are integrated into the elaboration of global climate policies, the official Cuban newspaper pointed out.
