The global climate is changing: Cayman Islands

Series of four films about climate change in the Caribbean Islands.

The global climate is changing, and the Caribbean region is feeling the change.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), in its Fourth Assessment Report (2007), stated that climate change is unequivocal. Observed trends include higher global surface temperatures, sea level rise, changes in rainfall patterns, and higher frequency and intensity of extreme events such as floods, droughts and heat waves.

The impacts of climate change are particularly worrying for the Caribbean, with many small island states that are extremely vulnerable:

Hurricanes have increased in intensity since the 1970s, and it is likely that we will see further increases during the 21st century.

Sea level rise is expected to exacerbate inundation, storm surge and other coastal hazards. Coastal conditions are likely to deteriorate, for example through beach erosion and coral bleaching.

Water resources in many islands are expected to become insufficient to meet demand during low-rainfall periods.

New climate patterns are expected to change the geographic range of mosquito-borne diseases (such as malaria and dengue), as well as increase heat stroke and other health risks, notably for children and the elderly.

The potential implications of these climatic changes are enormous, not only from the perspective of disaster risk reduction but also with regards to regional development.

Economic activities such as tourism, fisheries and agriculture are very sensitive to climatic conditions. Climate change threatens vital infrastructure, settlements and facilities that support livelihoods.
While the worst long-term effects may still be avoided if greenhouse gas emissions are drastically reduced, global climate change is here to stay -- and will accelerate.

The Caribbean region has no choice but to cope with the impacts of climate change, which may be aggravated by increasing vulnerability resulting from unsound environmental practices, demographic changes, social inequities and economic short-sightedness.

Additionally, there is the risk that the increased occurrence of climate-related disasters may trap people in vicious circles: if the most vulnerable communities are hit more frequently or intensely, they become even more vulnerable to disasters.

More information:
http://www.caribbeanredcross.org/

Climate change in Antigua and Barbuda:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUib6kEUCtY

Climate change in St Kitts and Nevis:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miIY7T40vhA

Climate change in The Bahamas:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Za3lbjeG8JM

Year: 2007
Duration: 4 minutes 2 seconds

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Red Cross
• International
• Crescent
• IFRC
• Disaster
• Relief
• Preparedness
• Health
• Humanitarian
• Assistance
• Volunteers
• Humanity
• Climate change