UpComms PR HOLDS First #SciCoMMTT PANEL DISCUSSION IN CELEBRATIon of World Science Day

​In recognition of World Science Day, UpComms PR held its very first #SciCommTT virtual panel discussion on Nov. 5, 2021. The recording is available for viewing below. UpComms PR sincerely thanks all panellists and attendees for participating. The presentations and discussions offered great ideas, perspectives, and lots of inspiration. See video.

Here are a few  statements from our panellists:
Mr. Donald Baldeosingh, Founder, Carbon Zero Institute of Trinidad and Tobago: “We approach science communication form the standpoint of the Greta Thunbergs of the Caribbean. There are many young people of the region who have something to say, and I think we have to give them room to speak.”
 
Dr. Legena Henry, Lecturer, Renewable Energy: “The answers of our Caribbean region moving into the future are not simple answers. They are not ad hoc answers. It’s not just politics. It’s actually the product of strategy, meticulous thinking—very much a numbers game—and that has to become part of public awareness.” 
 
Dr. Renique Murray, Researcher, Engineer: Science communication also influences “value recognition” and “deriving value from our citizenry.” “I do think [our citizens] have a significant role to play in terms of bringing solutions and bringing approaches that are simply lying there, like gems in the sand.”
 
Dr. Kirk Douglas, Director, Centre for Biosecurity: “There are a number of biosecurity issues [where] we understand that humans are a significant part of the problem, from climate change to illegal wildlife trade to several issues, even COVID-19. But, just as well, humans play a very critical role in being the solution. So, communication is essential for behavioral change.”
 
Dr. Graham King, Lecturer, Automotive Engineer: “In Trinidad and Tobago, in particular, we have a very wasteful society, and so I think science communication is very important to actually address that and bring people to a greater sense of social responsibility on a personal or family level. In fact, in Trinidad we use more energy per GDP dollar generated than any other country in the world except Congo. In other words, our economy is the second least energy efficient in the world, which is a very damning statistic. It does [suggest] that we could really be making a lot more money in the GDP level if we used our energy a lot more efficiently.”
 
Related Tags:
#climate #resilience #4thindustrialrevolution #access #awareness UNCTAD UNESCO CARICOM Secretariat #economy #GDP #Trinidad #Biosecurity #Renewable #Energy #science #communication #social #responsibility