Caribbean countries are in the tropical area between latitudes 11 and 18 degrees north, mainly constitute of island states with small rugged and mountainous areas of plains in coastal areas. Some islands are originated from volcano, while others consists mainly of coral reefs. The Caribbean region is famous for its physical beauty and its unique culture. For a long time, local people make livelihoods mainly relying on the natural resources, ranging from metals and minerals to endemic flora, fauna and marine life. Coastal areas are densely population that approximately 70% of the Caribbean population live in this region and also most of the capital cities are mostly situated along the coast (World Bank, 2013).
The Caribbean area is faced with series of natural risks related to climate change such as sea- level rise; warmer air and surface sea temperatures; frequent extreme weather events, less precipitation and more and severe droughts. The Caribbean Sea has warmed by 1.5ºC over the last century, which could be detected from the increasing number of heavy rainfall events (UNEP, 2008). Besides, the small and low-lying Caribbean states share a series of social and economic challenges, namely, a strong dependence on the natural resource in terms of agriculture, fishing, forestry,tourism, mining and manufacture industry; high transportation and communication costs; vulnerability to natural hazards; land and fresh water scarcity; and ever increasing stress on coastal and marine ecosystem (UNEC, 2011).
Change Temperature (Annual Mean) by 2080s
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% Change Precipitation (Annual Mean) by 2080s
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Figure N° 1 Climate Change by 2080s
From:http://unfccc.int/files/adaptation/adverse_effects_and_response_measures_art_48/application/pdf...
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Source: The Economics of Climate Change of the Caribbean http://www.eclac.org/portofspain/noticias/paginas/0/44160/Final_Caribbean_RECC_Summary_Report%5B1-3%5D.pdf Ø Health. Threats to health posed by extreme weather events in the Caribbean include insect- and rodent-borne diseases, such as dengue, leptospirosis, malaria and yellow fever; respiratory diseases, including bronchitis, asthma and respiratory allergies and infections; and malnutrition resulting from food production or distribution disruptions water-borne diseases, including schistosomiasis, cholera and cryptosporidium; food-borne diseases, including diarrhea,salmonellosis, food poisoning, and typhoid (UNEP, 2008).
Figure N° 2. Caribbean cost of Inaction. From: Stockholm Environment Institute www.sei-us.org/climate-and-energy/climate-economics.html Source:http://pubs.iied.org/pdfs/G02498.pdf
By using the information found in this book, I will be able to write about the severity of the ongoing issue of climate change. With all the dangerous effects of climate change Kahrl and Roland-Holst point out on just a single state, it becomes clear that other places around the world are experiencing the same. In fact, since Cali...
The geography of Cuba is very diverse, with large mountain ranges spanning the western and south central regions, and a beautiful 2,320 mile coastline that boasts white, sandy beaches to the north. The semitropical climate of Cuba supports lush, agricultural fields in which many species of plants and animals thrive.
Environment - current issues: sewage pollution of Lago de Valencia; oil and urban pollution of Lago de Maracaibo; deforestation; soil degradation; urban and industrial pollution, especially along the Caribbean coast; threat to the rainforest ecosystem from irresponsible mining operations
...ld. Globally, more intense hurricanes and downpours could cause billions of dollars in damage to property and infrastructure. Declining crop yields due to prolonged drought and high temperatures, especially in Africa, could put hundreds of thousands of people at risk for starvation. The Ski resorts located in the lower altitudes of the Swiss Alps have difficulty obtaining bank loans because of declining snow.
Based on the impacts on a coastal location near point Barrow, Alaska which impacts to the ecological, heath, fresh water and societal life. Increasing temperatures in the next 25 years sea thawing permafrost coastal erosion flooding other climate change. Scientist predict that over the next century the temperature increase will be twice as much over the long term norm as it is now. Statewide average annual temperatures could rise from current levels by as 5 to 13 degrees, an average winter temperature could rise by as much as 22 degrees F in certain locations. Climate change is unavoidable, it’s already under way, and the observable effects are likely to increase with time. In the next century, predict changes of 3 to 10 degrees F. small changes in temperature will cause big changes to life on earth. With planning we can minimize the potential harm from coming changes and in some cases even find opportunities. Most planning for future climate change adaption is simply a matter of addressing current effects of weather extremes. The impacts of climate change are diverse, and vulnerabilities differ across regions and sectors.
Vulnerability of socio-economic and natural systems to climate change, consequences, and adaptation options and also analyse options for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
In her essay, “Last Resorts: The Cost of Tourism in the Caribbean”, journalist Polly Pattullo presents an inside view of the resort industry in the Caribbean Islands, and how it truly operates. Tourism is the main industry of the Caribbean, formerly referred to as the West Indies, and it is the major part of the economy there. Pattullo’s essay mirrors the ideas of Trevor M.A. Farrell’s perspective “Decolonization in the English-Speaking Caribbean” in which he writes about the implicit meaning of the colonial condition. Pattollo’s essay illustrates that colonialism is present in the Caribbean tourism industry by comparing the meaning of it presented in Farrell’s perspective. In this essay I will explain how these two essays explain how decolonization hardly exists in the Caribbean.
“It’s Better In The Bahamas”. This slogan advertises throughout the world to attract tourist. Is it really better in the Bahamas? Many articles on television and in the news paper address the issues in the Bahamian society. While many pay no attention to this dilemma, many Bahamians live in constants fear. Miss Bijoux a single parent lost her job two months ago. One night she lay down on her bed thinking of all the possibilities of obtaining a job. Deep in thought how is she going to care for her children, and how is she going to help her twelve year old pregnant daughter? Lost to the world her phone rings, hello she said the caller answer hi, is this Bijoux residence? I am calling from PMH (Princess Margaret Hospital). Mrs. Bijoux drop the phone and runs to her children’s rooms. When she reaches to her son’s room he was not there, she kneel down on the floor and recites a prayer “Lord please let my son be okay”. Immediately, she calls her family to pick her up and drive her to the Hospital. When she arrives at the hospital she saw her lifeless son on the ventilator in pulmonary distress with blood stains over his clothes. Without shedding a tear, she waited patiently for good news. Unfortunately, her son expires three hours later. Mrs. Bijoux is a victim of a drive by shooting in Nassau Village. While the Bahamas is battling against the economic crisis, the three major issues in the Bahamian society are crimes, unemployment and sexual abuse.
Climate Change and Global Warming cause sea levels to rise. This increase in sea levels not only causes inundation of low lying and coastal areas but also irrevocable damage to coastal environments. Globally the ocean is predicted to rise nearly 140 cm on a global scale by the year 2100 (Cooper et al. 2013); therefore this has massive implications for countries all around the world with cities (settlements etc.) based near bodies of water. When compared to the last 80 years this is an acceleration of nearly twice the rate that ...
Maldives is a collection of about 1000 islands with a combined mass of 115 square miles occupied by approximately 330,000 people, which is in the Indian Ocean (Hannah, J. A., Muller, P. O., & Nijman, J., 2012). The rise in the sea level is a concern that all of Maldives shares, the islands only set eight feet above sea level at its highest point. Any rise in the sea level would disrupt the country’s economic balance. The rising sea level threatens the beachfront resorts for which most of Maldives economy depends on. Thousands of people every year travel to Maldives to...
When one thinks of Barbados, one thinks of luscious, turquoise blue waters; soft white sand beaches; blue, white clouded skies; fresh fruits; exotic, delicious dishes and honeymoons. One, however, tends to forget the formation of this land. This Caribbean luxury Island has much history and great heritage. In this report, I will detail Barbados’s location, history, labor relations, population size and structure, industries, plus add a little zest with the beauty of the Island.
One of the major effects of global warming is the rise of sea level due to thermal expansion of the ocean, in addition to the melting of land ice. Now there are dozens of land areas that sit well below sea level and the majority of those land areas are very well populated. At least 40 percent of the world 's population lives within 62 miles of the ocean, putting millions of lives and billions of dollars ' worth of property and infrastructure at risk. (Juliet Christian-Smith, 2011) This means if the sea level rises to the projected level of 25 meters (82 feet) half of the world will retreat back to the ocean. (Rohrer, 2007) Also rising sea levels means higher tides and storm surges riding on ever-higher seas which are more dangerous to people and coastal inf...
Climate change is an inevitable phenomenon that is being experienced globally in various forms such as temperature rise. Sea level rise, droughts, floods, hurricanes, landslides, etc. According to the forth assessment report of the IPCC project even with immediate implementation of mitigation strategies global climate change will continue for decades. Climate change is inflicting serious consequences on human wellbeing and will continue to inflict damages in the future. It is estimated that mean global temperature will rise by 1.8 ºC - 4.0 ºC by end of the 21st century (Izaurraade, 2009). A new global climate model predicts that in the coming decade the surface air temperature is likely to exceed existing records (Smith et al., 2007). Growing season temperatures in the tropics and subtropics by end of the 21st century will exceed the most extreme temperature recorded in the history (Battistic and Rosamond, 2009).
Climate change is a long-term alteration in the statistical distribution of weather pattern over periods ranging from decades to millions of years. The world is currently experiencing drastic change in temperature. This change can be felt in the tropical climate areas where the weather is getting hotter and hotter every day. The change in global temperatures and precipitation over time is due to natural variability or to human activity. It is also caused by accumulation of greenhouse effects (Arrhenius, 1896). Should we as humans let this problem worsen? Climate change will affect everything including humans, flora and fauna, and the environment.
The sea level rising and the warmth of the sea through the global rise in temperature, helps to promote the strength and the frequency of the hurricanes. In just 2017 so far, we have 10 hurricanes and 6 major hurricanes in the Caribbean region. According to Dr. Parham, there are four major effects likely to occur as a result of climate change in the region. He identifies these as warmer temperatures which are already being observed; more natural disasters such as hurricanes, which are formed when sea temperature rises above a certain level; change in rainfall patterns and coastal