Daviot Kelly, Staff Reporter

The Jamaica Institute of Environmental Professionals (JIEP) honoured Prof. Anthony Chen (third left) for his work on a panel that won the Nobel Peace Prize 2007, for highlighting the effects of climate change. Sharing the moment with Chen are (from left) Dr. Ruth Potopsingh, Denise Forrest, president of the JIEP, Rheta Chen (wife), Norman Chen (son) and Prof. Gordon Shirley. - photos by Rudolph Brown/Chief Photographer

It's no joke that Jamaicans are always in the middle of things, whether good or bad.

With Prof. Anthony Chen it is decidedly good. Chen was a member of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) that was presented with the Nobel Peace Prize last year, along with former United States vice-president, Al Gore.

President of the Jamaica Institute of Environmental Professionals (JIEP), Denise Forrest, said that the awarding of the prize gave them the opportunity to acknowledge the work of an outstanding son of Jamaica and to raise awareness about climate change.

Members of the JIEP as well as partner organisations came out to congratulate the professor, lauding not just his work but also his humility through it all.

Prof. Gordon Shirley, principal of the University of the West Indies, Mona campus, lauded Chen as well as his Caribbean colleagues, Dr. Leonard Nurse and Dr. John Agard, who were also on the panel. He marvelled that this was quite a way to start the the university's 60th anniversary celebrations!

Large painting

A jocular Professor Chen, upon seeing the size of the painting presented to him, quipped, "It's a good thing I got my son to drive his SUV." He said he accepted the award on behalf of the UWI, specifically the climate studies group. Not lost on the gathering, though, were the effects of climate change, especially on the developing world.

Guests included Sylvia McGill, Clifford Mahlung, Karen McDonald-Gayle, Desmond Young, Guy Symes, Tony Greenaway, Robert Wynter, Dr. David Smith, Marcia Erskine, Dr. Michael Taylor, Dr. Tannesia Stephenson and Jeffrey Spooner.

Dr. Ruth Potopsingh (left) shares a moment with Eleanor Jones (centre) and Anastasia Calnick.

Peter Reeson (left) and Bert Brown chat with Marjorie Kennedy.

President of the Jamaica Institute of Environmental Professionals, Denise Forrest (right), speaks with Dr. Ruth Potopsingh, managing director of the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica.

Marilyn Headley, CEO and Conservator of Forests, Forestry Department, and Prof. Gordon Shirley.