The Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) has released its first Caribbean Marine Climate Change Report Card 2017. This report card sums up what we know of marine and coastal climate change impacts on Caribbean Small Island Developing States, and explores some of the actions that are needed to respond to these impacts. Case studies are drawn from those SIDS that fulfil the project criteria for the Commonwealth Marine Economies Programme and are eligible to receive international aid (known as Official Development Assistance, or ODA) to highlight examples of climate change impacts at the level of individual SIDS. These Caribbean countries are Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
This report card addresses three themes: climate change drivers; impacts on biological diversity; and society. It is based on twelve specially commissioned scientific papers covering the following themes and key topics:
- Climate change drivers: Extreme weather events, sea temperature and ocean acidification
- Biological diversity: Corals, mangroves, and fish and shellfish
- Society: Settlements and infrastructure, tourism and fisheries
The key topics, lead authors and reviewers were identified by Caribbean regional partners to ensure that the issues of greatest concern were addressed, and relevant regional experts were approached to provide the most up-to-date and accurate evidence.
Thirty four authors and reviewers, principally drawn from across the Caribbean region contributed to the key topic and theme papers, which are accessible through the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre, Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism and CME Programme websites. These comprehensive papers provide more detailed background information to support national and regional level action. They include sections describing our understanding of current and future climate change impacts, our confidence in that understanding, knowledge gaps and social and economic consequences.
Peruse the complete Caribbean Marine Climate Change Report Card 2017
