Dr. Patrick Watson and Dickson Osula

Biography

Patrick K Watson holds a Master’s and a Doctoral degree in Mathematical Economics and Econometrics from the Université de Paris I (Panthéon-Sorbonne) and a Bachelor of Commerce degree with Accounting as a principal subject from the University of Leeds.

Patrick Watson became Director of the Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social & Economic Studies of the University of the West Indies in 2003 where he now serves as University Director and Professor of Applied Economics. He also served as Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences from 1995 to 2003.

Professor Watson has published widely in the area of theoretical and applied econometrics, with emphasis on the Caribbean Economy. He currently serves on the Economic Development Board of Trinidad & Tobago and he has also served on various other Public Sector Boards and Committees, including the North-West Regional Health Authority (Chairman), the Regulated Industries Commission of Trinidad & Tobago (Deputy Chairman) and the Central Bank of Trinidad & Tobago. He also served as a member of the Parliament of Trinidad & Tobago (Senate) from June 2010 to June 2011.

Dickson Chiedozie Osuala is a doctoral student and C-Change research associate with the Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social and Economic Studies (SALISES) UWI St. Augustine Campus. He graduated with a B.Sc. in Banking & Finance from Igbinedion University Okada in Nigeria and a M.Sc. in Economics with specialization in Energy and Sustainable Development from the University of the West Indies (UWI) St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad & Tobago. Currently he is a research associate for C-Change: Managing Adaptation to Environmental Change in Coastal Communities: Canada and the Caribbean.

His research interests include climate change economics, renewable and alternative energy, energy economics and sustainable development.

Article Title

Perceptions About Climate Change in Georgetown, Guyana: Causes and Implications for Adaptation Policies

Abstract

Georgetown, the capital of Guyana, is by far the most important industrial and commercial centre of that country and accounts for more than one-third of the population. It is also 1.5 metres below the mean sea-level mark. This paper addresses the perceptions of the population of Georgetown to climate change, in particular to rising sea levels, and identifies the socio-economic, environmental and other factors that influence the forming of such perceptions. Consideration is then given to how these perceptions may shape adaptation to climate change policies in Georgetown. The study will be based on a survey of 1,000 inhabitants of Georgetown carried out in August 2011. Multinomial logit and ordered probit regression models are applied in analyzing the perception of the population to climate change. The implications for adaptation strategies to climate change are then considered based on these results and the study of selected secondary data.

Schedule


A detailed schedule may be found HERE
Book Fair and Cultural Exhibits 12:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Keynote Reception 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Conference Opening 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm


Morning Session 8:30 am – 12:00 pm
(Includes a 10-minute coffee break)
Luncheon & Cultural Interlude 12:00 pm – 12:45 pm
Afternoon Sessions 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
4:15 pm - 7:00 pm
7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Book Fair / Historical and Cultural Exhibits Continue 9:00 am – 5:30 pm


Morning Session 9:00 am – 11:15 am
Luncheon & Cultural Interlude 11:15 am – 12:15 pm
Afternoon Sessions 12:20 pm – 3:20 pm
3:40 pm - 5:10 pm
Book Fair / Historical and Cultural Exhibits Continue 9:00 am – 5:30 pm
Closing Plenary and Cocktail Reception 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm

*Plenaries will be scheduled during morning and luncheon sessions.

Persons whose papers have been accepted present on Day Two and Three of the conference.