The National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) joins the international community in celebrating Earth Science Week. The 2018 theme is “Earth as Inspiration.”

A series of activities has been planned around the island to commemorate the week. These will encompass the participation of schools, communities, the public and private sectors; and will be facilitated by a team from the UWI Seismic Research Centre from Trinidad and Tobago.

NEMO Director Velda Joseph explained the significance of the initiative.

“The observance of Earth Science Week in Saint Lucia is designed to foster a greater awareness and understanding of geological hazards, and also to provide encouragement for the adoption of preparedness measures by the public to preserve life and property. There are things that can be done to prepare for an earthquake for example, and throughout this week we will be sharing with the public and various target audiences some of the things one can do at the household, community and national levels.”

The week commenced with a media launch and a Schools’ Jingle Competition on Nov. 12, and ends with a Disaster Awareness Fair on Nov. 16, at the Castries City Hall and Constitution Park. The Disaster Awareness Fair seeks to create an awareness of mitigation and safety measures, that will be showcased by various agencies forming NEMO and other private sector businesses.

School Safety Officer in the Ministry of Education, Bernez Khodra, spoke of the impact that the youth can have in helping to mitigate natural disaster losses.

“Vulnerability to climate change and disasters has often been conceptualized as passive, emerging from post disaster studies that identify particularly vulnerable groups. This conceptualization is common in literature linking children with climate change and natural disasters. However, a growing body of empirical research is emerging that counters this narrative, and instead emphasizes young people’s abilities to influence and participate directly in efforts to learn about, prevent, prepare for, cope with, and adapt to climate change and extreme weather events.”

Earth Science Week is being celebrated from Nov. 12 – 16.