How Caribbean Islands are Tackling Climate Change
As the Caribbean continues to feel the effects of climate change some islands are leading the charge for building more resilient and sustainable countries.
Like many countries around the world, the Caribbean is feeling the first-hand effects of climate change. From prolonged rainy and dry seasons to the continual increase of land and air pollution, citizens and governments alike are trying to figure out the best ways to deal with continual environmental change.
Caribbean governments from across the region are continually trying to figure out the best ways of dealing with factors such as hurricane preparedness, waste disposal, plastic usage and the protection and preservation of wildlife and the environment. Many islands though lack up to date regulations and they struggle when it comes to enforcing environmental laws.
While many islands are very behind when it comes to environmental regulations, some of them are leading the way for the future of our world with an ever-changing climate.
The Effects of Climate Change in the Caribbean
Similar to other countries in tropical climates, the Caribbean has really been feeling the effects of climate change in recent years. While the Caribbean has always been prone to hurricanes due to their location, other natural phenomenons are starting to affect the environment and way of life for citizens in the region.
One of the biggest examples of this is the increased presence of Sargassum seaweed in the Caribbean ocean. The Sargassum Sea is a body of warm water found in the mid-Atlantic ocean where the seaweed originates. The seaweed grows on its own, unlike other seaweed that forms on the ocean floor. It is usually found in huge clusters and is very thick in consistency. Once on land, the seaweed begins to rot and it produces a pungent smell.
2018 saw an unprecedented about of Sargassum seaweed in the Caribbean ocean and much of it inevitably landed on the shores of various Caribbean beaches. Some masses of seaweed rose to as tall as 5 feet, making many beaches inhabitable.
The seaweed affects maritime wildlife, specifically turtle hatchlings trying to get to the ocean. It also plagues the local fishing industries as the seaweed gets into the nets of fishermen.
While the seaweed has been known to come into the waters of the Caribbean, it has never reached these levels. Local governments struggled with the clean up of the seaweed due to the quantity and frequency of it coming on the shores per day and they also could not find adequate measures of disposing it.
Scientists are now saying that the seaweed will become an annual issue for the Caribbean. The increase in seaweed, they say, is largely due to climate change, various reports state different factors such as changes in ocean circulation, deforestation (specifically in the Amazon) and the presence of pollution nutrients in the ocean. One report states that the increased temperature of the sea surface has created a perfect breeding ground for the Sargassum blooms.
Another natural phenomenon occurring in the Caribbean is Sahara dust. The dust which reaches to the forest of the Amazon can be seen positively for its ability to spread nutrients such as iron and phosphorus to forests across the world, however, in excess the dust can decrease visibility and cause damage to people with any respiratory issues. In 2019 alone the dust has already become a constant presence on islands in the Eastern Caribbean.
Climate change affects the fluctuations in the dust patterns of the Sahara and researchers are saying it will eventually reduce the amount of dust in the atmosphere which will affect Eco-systems around the world and wind/storms in the Atlantic. Due to the position of islands in the Eastern Caribbean, it seems that they will continue to feel the effects of the ever-changing situation in the Sahara.
Solutions Caribbean Islands are using to deal with Climate change
Caribbean islands often look at the solutions developing countries are implementing in order to figure out the best response to their local problems. However, due to the direct impact of climate change to the environment of the Caribbean, countries need to start making effective changes in policy and enforcement of environmental laws and they do not need to look any further than their neighbours for inspiration.
Dominica
Dominica has remained one of the most eco-friendly countries in the world. Similarly, to other islands who excel at environmental conservation and preservation, Dominica had to find new sources of energy after their financial crisis in 2008 due to the high cost of the importation of fossil fuels. Currently, 28% of the country’s energy runs on hydro-power fuels and wind and solar energy.
Dominica became fully dedicated to renewable energy after Hurricane Maria in 2017, when the island was in desperate need to rebuild infrastructure. The government made it a mission for the country to become the first “climate resistant country” in the world and decided to do this by building a geothermal plant on the island. While Geothermal plants are incredibly expensive they are very resistant to external factors and can continue to work even after natural disasters.
While the government has spent almost $50 million dollars on the plant the World Bank also granted the government $17 million dollars to the project.
Dominica has also quickly become a major destination for Eco-tourists around the world as the island has numerous eco-friendly hotels and activities for foreigners to enjoy. The tourist industry is both able to employ citizens and create income for the island while also ensuring the protection of their wildlife and environment.
As of January 2019, Dominica became one of the first countries to completely ban all styrofoam and single-use plastic.
Grenada
Grenada is one of the leading islands in solar energy, similar to Dominica, Grenada relied heavily on imported fossil fuels and the government is investing a lot of money in renewable energy in order to diversify their energy sources. While Grenada is still developing its renewable energy sector one of their main aims is to be running on 20% renewable energy by 2020.
Their government has also created an entire ministry dedicated to climate change. The ministry’s purpose is to address all current and potential issues that pertain to climate change and look for solutions. Issues such as waste management, resilient infrastructure and plastic reduction are just some of their responsibilities on the island.
The ministry has already put a ban on styrofoam imports and is set to ban the sale of styrofoam in 2019. They are also in the process of completely banning single-use shopping bags this year. The ministry is planning the changes very precisely in order to make the transition easy for citizens and businesses alike.
The Future
Many Caribbean islands are putting the necessary laws and measures in place to start making more ecological decisions for their respective countries, however, Dominica and Grenada are examples of countries who are really leading the charge right now.
They are also countries that were heavily impacted by hurricanes in the last few years, this forced them to see the potential impact of climate change and the major benefits to becoming more sustainable countries both to become more resilient to natural disasters and to protect their environments and people.
However, it is the hope of most that it doesn’t take an extreme disaster for other islands in the region to follow suit.
