The adverse, and potentially catastrophic, impacts of climate change are already being experienced in Guyana. Since the 1960s, Guyana has observed significant changes in its climate system with marked increases in temperatures, sea levels and the frequency and intensity of extreme rainfall events. The impacts on Guyanese people, society, economy and environment, are from flooding events in 2005, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014 and 2015 and the droughts of 1997-8, 2009- 2010 and 2015 are poignant examples of the devastation caused by climate change. Flooding in 2005, for example, caused damage estimated at US$ 465 million (60% of GDP) and during the drought in April 2015 potable water had to be trucked into communities in Regions One and Nine. Guyana has been described as being ‘particularly vulnerable’ to climate change because of high levels of exposure and sensitivity to climate risks and limited capacity to adapt.
