Science, Technology, and Development in Guyana
Dr. Trotz’s Visionary Perspective
Dr. Neville Trotz’s extraordinary journey through the realms of science and technology in Guyana and the wider Caribbean stands as a masterclass in visionary leadership. His life’s work provides a compelling framework for national development grounded in strategic institutional design, the valorization of scientific knowledge, and a relentless commitment to evidence-based policymaking. From the earliest stages of his career, Dr. Trotz emerged as a scientist and nation-builder. He was instrumental in establishing the Chemistry Department at the University of Guyana, launching the Institute of Applied Science and Technology (IAST), and shaping the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC). These institutions were not accidental by-products of development but resulted from purposeful, strategic thinking about the relationship between science, governance, and the national interest.
At the core of Dr. Trotz’s perspective is his remarkable foresight in recognizing the crucial need to integrate scientific reasoning within government machinery. His narrative consistently circles back to a central issue: the gap between generating scientific knowledge and its application in policymaking. In his view, science should guide the decisions that shape public life, especially in countries like Guyana, where developmental choices have far-reaching implications for natural resources, ecological balance, and human well-being. Dr. Trotz’s recently published memoir, “A Ray of Hope: Reflections on the Development of Science and Technology in Guyana and the Caribbean” (University of Guyana Press, 2025), chronicles his six-decade journey and offers valuable insights into the evolution of scientific institutions in post-independence Guyana. As noted by Professor John Firth in his review, this memoir unveils “a story of resilience and an unwavering belief in the potential of the Caribbean and its people,” with Trotz consistently advocating for collaboration and resource-sharing across Caribbean nations.
The petroleum sector is one of the most pressing areas where this disconnect is evident. For Dr. Trotz, the extraction and management of oil and gas resources are not just economic policies but a litmus test of Guyana’s scientific and regulatory maturity. In his analysis of Guyana’s oil discoveries, Dr. Trotz acknowledges the complex reality that while the world needs to transition away from fossil fuels, developing countries like Guyana need resources to build climate resilience and transition to sustainable energy systems. Dr. Trotz articulates serious concerns about the lack of robust baseline environmental studies and the limited capacity for independent monitoring. He has stressed the importance of Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs) for significant projects like oil and gas waste management facilities. He emphasizes that these assessments are “an essential requirement” for ensuring environmental protection. In the absence of these mechanisms, Guyana risks undermining both its ecological integrity and its developmental future. For Trotz, the solution lies in building technical capacity, investing in homegrown scientific expertise, and establishing credible, transparent institutions capable of holding all actors accountable.
Climate change is a consistent thread in Dr. Trotz’s work. As a central figure in shaping the regional climate agenda through his leadership at the CCCCC, he has long warned that the Caribbean’s vulnerability demands proactive, integrated adaptation strategies. In this context, he underscores the need for mainstreaming climate risk management into national development plans—not as an add-on but as a foundational logic guiding decisions across every sector. Nowhere is this more urgent than along Guyana’s low-lying coastline, where the threat of rising sea levels is existential. Dr. Trotz advocates for comprehensive coastal zone management, leveraging tools such as LIDAR-based flood mapping and early warning systems. This advocacy is not technocratic idealism but a practical blueprint for protecting lives, livelihoods, and the country’s economic base. His vision aligns with Guyana’s current Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030, which includes a comprehensive adaptation strategy focused on enhancing resilience across agriculture, infrastructure, water resources, and public health. Notable projects include the Cunha Canal, which has alleviated flooding impacts and allowed previously flooded areas to return to agricultural use, benefiting approximately 118,000 people.
Dr. Trotz has pioneered the articulation of a vision for sustainable energy in Guyana. In his writings on energy transformation, he highlights the potential of “waste-to-energy” approaches that offer win-win scenarios, including technologies that utilize wood waste from sawmills and rice husks from the rice industry—technologies successfully implemented by the IAST as far back as the 1980s. More recently, in a 2022 webinar hosted by the Guyana Business Journal, Dr. Trotz advocated for regional energy independence, suggesting that “the internal resources between Trinidad, Guyana, and Suriname” could help internalize “the whole supply chain for the transition to zero carbon,” rather than Caribbean nations returning to Venezuelan oil imports. This energy independence and transition vision is increasingly central to Guyana’s development agenda. The LCDS 2030 framework now includes utility-scale solar projects. It aligns with global climate goals, including Guyana’s commitment to Net Zero by 2050, while leveraging that Guyana’s 18 million hectares of forest sequester 154 million tons of CO2 annually.
However, Dr. Trotz’s vision of institutional development extends far beyond physical infrastructure. For him, institutions must be animated by a culture of scientific thinking. That means cultivating local talent, investing in education, fostering international partnerships rooted in mutual respect, and democratizing access to scientific knowledge. In his view, science must not only serve the state—it must also empower the citizenry. The IAST, which Dr. Trotz directed from 1980 to 1991, exemplifies his approach to institutional development. Under subsequent leadership, the Institute has continued to develop innovative products, including technologies for improving gold mining efficiency without mercury, sustainable food products like Pakaraima Flavours Sundried Tomato products, and luxury cosmetics derived from indigenous knowledge, demonstrating that “Guyanese ideas are very relevant to the world of tomorrow.”
Looking toward 2030 and beyond, Dr. Trotz offers a blueprint for Guyana’s future, anchored in strategic science and technology investments. He calls for articulating a comprehensive national science policy that bridges education, research, and policy. Such a policy, he argues, would strengthen Guyana’s universities and research institutions and position the country to lead in emerging fields such as renewable energy, environmental modeling, and sustainable resource management. This vision has gained momentum through platforms like the Transforming Guyana webinar series. Dr. Trotz joined other leading figures to advocate for ‘a bold new vision of science-centered development in Guyana and the wider Caribbean.‘
Guyana’s future hinges on its ability to embed scientific thinking into its development paradigm, build resilient institutions, and cultivate a culture of innovation and accountability. Dr. Neville Trotz’s lifetime of work, now documented in his memoir “A Ray of Hope,” provides a robust roadmap—a model of leadership grounded in knowledge, vision, and unwavering commitment to the public good. His insights remain relevant today as Guyana navigates the opportunities and challenges of its oil and gas discoveries while simultaneously implementing its ambitious Low Carbon Development Strategy. This strategy, which has received US$187.5 million as of January 2024 from Guyana’s first commercial sale of carbon credits, represents the country’s framework for creating a new low-carbon economy while protecting against climate change and biodiversity loss. As Guyana develops, integrating scientific reasoning into governance—a principle championed by Dr. Trotz throughout his career—will ensure that development is sustainable, equitable, and resilient in the face of climate change and other global challenges.
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Justice, Stability, and Responsibility