Environmental pioneer John Agard dies at 71

Emeritus Professor John Agard, one of the Caribbean’s most influential environmental scientists and climate change advocates, has died at the age of 71.

The announcement was made yesterday by The University of the West Indies, which said Agard died on June 19.

In a tribute, St Augustine Campus Principal Rose-Marie Belle Antoine described him as “a brilliant, innovative, enterprising person who gave so much to The UWI, his community and beyond.”

A professor of Tropical Island Ecology, Agard earned international recognition for his work in sustainable development and climate change. He played a key role in shaping Trinidad and Tobago’s environmental legislation, including the Certificate of Environmental Clearance Rules, Noise Pollution Rules and Water Pollution Rules introduced in 2001.

Agard also helped establish several protected areas, including the Matura Natural Park, Nariva Swamp and Aripo Savannahs, while serving as chairman of the Environmental Management Authority.

His influence extended globally through his work as a lead author for the Small Islands chapter of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Fourth Assessment Report, which shared the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize with former US Vice President Al Gore.

Remembering his lifelong commitment to environmental protection, The UWI recalled Agard once saying that his passion was “to make the world a better place. To make my country a better place. To make my region a better place.”

The university extended condolences to his family and friends.