Havana, September 3 (RHC) -– The signs of environmental worsening indicate the need to change the unsustainable patterns of production and consumption in current societies, said Cuban Minister of Science, Technology and the Environment, Elba Rosa Perez. She spoke during the Third Conference on Small Island Developing States, which wraps up tomorrow, Thursday, in Samoa.

The world has a vast accumulated knowledge about science and technology, and the world produces enough quantity of food for all, she acknowledged. However, she said, the scant natural resources are used inefficiently and indiscriminately, and large amounts of money are waste for profit, for speculation and for buying weapons.

The Cuban official also said that climate change represents an obvious threat that hinders the viability of development of small island states, so urgent, balanced solutions are needed.

She noted that, as an island, Cuba is prone to be hit by extreme meteorological events. However, it carries out great efforts, essentially with its own resources, to implement climate change and disaster management-related policies, she said.

She added that national efforts will be insufficient if there are no consistent global policies in place to support sustainable development.

Therefore, a system of international relations is needed so as to fill the gap between countries and achieve the participation of all in global decision-making.