Citing climate change as a daunting reality being faced by the country, Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Opposition Leader Mark Golding have both called on all Jamaicans to play their part in protecting the environment from the crisis.

The nation’s leaders made the calls in separate Labour Day messages as the island celebrates the holiday on Friday under the theme “Protect the Environment: Our Land, Our Duty, Our Future,” and the rallying cry, “Jamaica Nice, Protect Wi Paradise”.

“We cannot ignore the signs around us. Climate change is real, and it is already affecting our lives, through rising temperatures, coastal erosion, stronger hurricanes, and extended droughts,” Holness said, adding “Many of our communities, especially those near rivers, gully banks, and hillsides, are increasingly vulnerable to environmental degradation.

“The loss of trees, the pollution of waterways, and the poor management of waste are challenges we must confront head-on,” he said.

Holness said the government is actively tackling the crisis through a number of initiatives including the building of climate-resilient infrastructure; restoration of watersheds; the enforcement of stricter anti-pollution laws; and the training of farmers in climate-smart techniques. But he noted that “all hands-on deck” were needed, calling it a “national duty” for Jamaicans to play their part in battling climate change.

“This Labour Day, I urge citizens, schools, churches, community groups, businesses, and public sector agencies to organise and participate in projects that restore, renew, and protect our environment,” Holness said.

“Whether it is cleaning up a beach, planting trees, rehabilitating a park, creating compost systems, or beautifying a school garden, your contribution matters. Each act, no matter how small, adds up to a larger national movement toward environmental stewardship,” the prime minister added.

Golding meanwhile noted that, as Opposition leader, he has “consistently” called for Jamaica’s environmental protection agency NEPA “to be autonomous, robust and independent; for stronger environmental policies and penalties for environmental offences; for greater investment in renewable energy, including policies that use renewable energy in the strategy for regularizing those who are not lawful customers of the electricity provider; and for climate-resilient infrastructure.”

But, sharing similar sentiments to Holness, he acknowledged that “policy alone is not enough”.

“Labour Day has been a time of national unity where we work together for the betterment of our communities. Today, that call to action demands that we face the daunting realities of environmental degradation amidst an unfolding climate crisis,” Golding said.

“Let us demonstrate to our children the value of environmental stewardship. Our children must be taught in schools not just to love this land, but to understand how to nurture and care for it. These practices must become part of our culture if we are to successfully combat the threats we are currently facing,” he continued. “Let us lead by example, reducing waste, conserving water, recycling where we can, and treating our surroundings with respect. This is how we will build a culture of sustainability that is rooted in our love for our country.”