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As a consequence of increasing concentration of greenhouse
gases in the atmosphere the climate is expected to change significantly in the
21st century. Depending on which emission
scenario is used, global surface temperature, for example, is projected to
increase 1.4 to 5.8 °C
by 2100. Continuing mitigation efforts are necessary as they may save us
from the worst case scenario. Nevertheless, global climate change at some level
seems imminent regardless the mitigation via international agreements or other
efforts. Therefore we need to start adapting to the impacts and lessen the
vulnerabilities wherever practical.
Caribbean Islands
The Caribbean Islands are by no means a homogeneous group of
countries. They vary by geography; physical, climatic, social, political,
cultural, and ethnic character; and stage of economic development. Yet they tend
to share several common characteristics that not only identify them as a
distinct group but underscore their overall vulnerability in the context of
sustainable development. These common characteristics include the following:
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Limited physical size, which effectively reduces some
adaptation options to climate change and sea-level rise (e.g., retreat; in
some cases entire islands could be eliminated, so abandonment would be the
only option)
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Generally limited natural resources, many of which are
already heavily stressed from unsustainable human activities
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High susceptibility to natural hazards such as tropical
cyclones (hurricanes) and associated storm surge, droughts, tsunamis, and
volcanic eruptions
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Relatively thin water lenses that are highly sensitive to
sea-level changes
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Extreme openness of small economies and high sensitivity
to external market shocks, over which they exert little or no control (low
economic resilience)
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Generally high population densities and in some cases
high population growth rates
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Frequently poorly developed infrastructure (except for
major foreign exchange-earning sectors such as tourism)
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Limited funds and human resource skills, which may
severely limit the capacity of small islands to mitigate and adapt to the
effects of climate change.
There are numerous impacts
both to nature and human societies, and means of adaptation, some of which are
outlined below with special attention to the Caribbean region.
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