This is why much of the fresh food available in the Caribbean countries are imported from other countries. Eventually, this would result in a large carbon footprint and packaging waste. In recent times, several restaurant owners and local growers have taken a more sustainable approach to this problem. Here’s how many of the places in the Caribbean are taking some important initiatives towards sustainable agriculture:

1. Puerto Rico

Much of the Caribbean has been drastically affected by climate change and some disastrous events associated with it. Among the worst-hit places in this region is Puerto Rico. This island is an unincorporated territory of the United States in the Caribbean. 

It is well-known for its charming natural beauty, an elegant hotel strip, casinos, and beach bars. Today, it is still recovering from the devastation left behind by the hurricane Maria. This is why some of the local businesses have begun taking climate change seriously. 

Among them is the Vanderbilt hotel, which is working with local producers, helping them recover from the post-Maria impacts. It is supporting the recovering farms by buying the produce from them. This includes fruit and farm-fresh eggs. 

All these food items are used for preparing the delicacies in the hotel’s restaurant called ‘1919’. Many other restaurants on the island are also helping the local farmers. Some are even providing renewable energy for the farmers’ needs by installing solar panels.

2. The Cayman Islands

For many years, these islands have attracted luxury travelers from various corners of the world. This island group is a British Overseas Territory with beautiful white-sand beaches and an incredible wildlife. It is only recently that the island has made its culinary scene more eco-friendly. 

The Grand Cayman has taken sustainability to greater heights since the opening of its first farm-to-table restaurant. As a result, the demand for sustainable seafood and local produce has grown considerably over the years. Fishermen are putting in some commendable efforts as well, such as abiding by the eco-friendly practices. 

Restaurants and local residents can buy farm produce and sustainable seafood at the weekly Farmers and Artisans Market. The large local grocery stores also provide dedicated spaces to promote locally-grown vegetables, fruits, and other items. 

3. Curacao

This Dutch Caribbean island is immensely popular among many tourists owing to its vast coral reefs and fabulous beaches. Although it has more water than some of its neighboring islands, collecting water and irrigating crops is still difficult. 

This becomes a hurdle in carrying out agricultural activities on the island. As a solution to this problem, a farm and restaurant called Hofi Cas Cora uses an excellent system. It uses a solar pump and wind energy to pump up the groundwater. 

Fruits, vegetables and livestock products from the farm are used as the main ingredients for the restaurants. The owners of this restaurant also use their work to help other businesses on the island. They also work with some of the local restaurants to collect food waste. It is then used for compost or feeding pigs on the farm. 

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For some architects, green architecture is more of a common sense. They consider it as an urgent need considering the recent disastrous events associated with climate change. Besides being used for developing commercial properties, green design is showing up in residential projects as well. Most of them go unnoticed as there is no arrangement for a regional green certification. 

Besides, getting a building certified from foreign experts is a costly affair. The initial costs involved in creating a green building can be quite high. It comes as a big drawback to most of the developers and clients. A policy is needed, therefore, to subsidize or offset the cost. A certain form of incentive can also be offered to the client for promoting the idea of going green.

National Library of Trinidad and Tobago as an example

The National Library of Trinidad and Tobago is located in the Port of Spain in Trinidad. According to the library’s architect, the building is green because it sits in harmony with the neighboring structures. It has been oriented to provide maximum shading and make optimum use of natural light. The central atrium keeps the building cool and only the drinking water comes from piped supply of the city. 

It has been estimated that this building uses only 60% of the energy that a similar building would use. Overhangs have been provided on the building’s shady sides. This provides spaces to sit out of the sun as well as dry spots to take shelter. National Library of Trinidad and Tobago can be the best example of an eco-friendly public building in the Caribbean.

Green architecture in the colonial era

People from the colonial era included some great concepts of green architecture in the Caribbean. The structures in those times were built using brick, tapia, and wood. Mud was used for plastering over a wooden framework. 

Today, such materials would be considered the ultimate in the construction of green structures. Buildings were constructed in such a way that they were responsive to the trajectory of the sun during daytime. The interiors were cool in the evening and night-time owing to some brilliant techniques in masonry. 

In the absence of modern air-conditioning technology, natural systems and resources had to be harnessed effectively. This is why buildings from the 19th century are considered environmentally friendly by today’s standards. 

Incorporating green features in existing buildings

Many of the buildings in the Caribbean are not new buildings. This is the reason why they need ‘Green Retrofitting’. This method of refurbishment aims to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and environmental impact of the building. 

Using this method, a building can save big on electricity costs and other expenses. With appropriate planning, the costs involved in green retrofitting can be reduced considerably. One of the energy-saving methods used in green retrofitting is the inclusion of fluorescent lighting.

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This has created an urgent need in the region for sustainable tourism. Travelers to this region can make some valuable contributions towards making it happen. This is done by being responsible towards the environment and local communities. Here’s how they can help this region cope with the impacts of climate change:

1. Traveling during off seasons

Those travelers who have the luxury of choosing when to travel during the year can make a big difference. As the Caribbean destinations are usually crowded during peak seasons, they can choose to visit during off seasons. This can benefit them as well as the local community. 

By visiting in an off season, the travelers can get accommodations and flight tickets that are unbelievably cheaper. Traveling during off seasons can lessen the heavy tourist rush of the peak seasons. It can also help the local economy, which tends to slow down during the off season.

2. Packing reusable containers and bags

It would be a great idea for travelers to bring bags and containers with them that are reusable. They can thus avoid contributing to the trash that pollute the environment. Packing such items for their trip to the Caribbean will also help them in reducing waste. Today, there are many e-commerce websites that sell such items. While planning their trip, the travelers can also place their order on these sites.

3. Booking a locally-owned accommodation

Travelers to the Caribbean can do their bit for the local businesses by booking a locally-owned accommodation. Usually, the international chain of hotels and resorts in the region get to make enormous profits. Tourists choose to stay in them and not the hotels and resorts owned by the locals. 

As a result, the locally-owned resorts and hotels struggle for survival. The travelers who are interested in sustainable tourism can choose the locally-owned accommodations to help the local communities.

4. Buying local items

Another excellent way of helping the local communities is buying souvenirs or gift items from them. This would ensure that the money goes to the needy locals and helps the local businesses thrive. Travelers can also choose to eat at the locally-owned restaurants. When planning their outdoor activities, they can book with any of the local service providers. 

5. Supporting the local climate-change initiatives

In recent times, several organizations are involved in activities that can reduce the impact of climate change. Travelers can offer their support to such initiatives in their own way. Either they can offer to help them financially or assist them in any of their activities. 

Volunteering for some local eco-friendly activities would give travellers an opportunity to connect with the residents. This can also give them considerable experience in working with the local communities and learning their best practices. They can also volunteer to pick up beach litter like alcohol bottles, Styrofoam, and plastic.

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However, what’s more worrying is the fact that they also cause great harm to the region’s economies. The Caribbean is believed to be the world’s most tourist-intensive region. Tourists arrive here from different corners of the world to savor its natural beauty and peaceful environs. Any disastrous natural event, therefore, adversely affects the economy of the Caribbean countries. 

Even the moderate storms can reduce the growth of these economies by almost 0.5% of their GDPs. In December 2013, winds that were not even close to the strength of hurricanes occurred in the region. They took a toll on small nations of the Caribbean, such as Dominica and Saint Lucia.

Developing capabilities for sustainable energy technologies

One of the most worrying predictions was made by the World Travel and Tourism Council. It had stated that the Caribbean will become an extremely risky tourist destination between 2025 and 2050. The UNESCO Science Report, in 2015, urged the region to make climate change adaptation its top priority. Over-dependence on tourism and vulnerability to climate-change events are not the only challenges. 

The Caribbean states are also faced with high energy costs. It impacts the cost of living and economic competitiveness of the Caribbean economies in a negative way. To develop capabilities for incorporating sustainable energy technologies, the University of West Indies was provided a US$ 600,000 grant. It came from the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB). 

The IADB had earlier supported the CARICOM Secretariat in hosting a resource mobilization forum. One of the areas that has been of great interest is the role of information and communication technologies. It can be utilized for managing energy and providing training in sustainable energy technologies.

Strategies for sustainable development

The Caribbean has great potential for renewable energy. Solar, hydro-electric, wind, and geothermal energies can be utilized significantly to enhance the region’s renewable energy capabilities. Efforts are being made by the CARICOM countries to implement the plan of action for sustainable development. 

The Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States was first adopted in 1994. It was updated in 2005 and then again in 2014. 

Adopting latest technologies and innovations

Efforts are being made to enhance the environmental, socio-economic, and technological resilience of the CARICOM states. This was the main purpose of the first Strategic Plan for the Caribbean Community. It covered the period from 2015 to 2019. 

As a part of this plan, steps are being taken for nurturing entrepreneurship, innovation, inclusiveness, and digital literacy. Strategies for making optimum use of the available resources are also being implemented by the Caribbean countries. 

The Strategic Plan for the Caribbean Community also focuses on utilizing natural resources in the best possible way. If implemented effectively, the strategic plan would ensure the region’s economic growth. This plan would also improve the economic resilience of Caribbean countries when faced with climate-change events.

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This involves traveling to natural areas, where the environment and well-being of locals are taken care of. Here we’ve listed some of the best places in the Caribbean that promote ecotourism:

1. Anguilla

A low-lying, flat island of limestone and coral, Anguilla is located in Eastern Caribbean. It is a British Overseas Territory known for its sandy stretches, such as the Rendezvous Bay. It is also home to a high-concept resort called CuisinArt Resort and Spa. In the late 1990s, this resort built a greenhouse with an area of 18,000 square feet. 

This greenhouse is the first hydroponic farm in the Caribbean. It grows almost everything from cucumbers, eggplant, and tomatoes to herbs, lettuces, and micro-greens. A significant amount of water is saved through the use of drip irrigation and re-circulation systems in the greenhouse. 

The drainage from this hydroponic farm is recycled and utilized for watering the outdoor plants used for landscaping. About 90% of the produce from this farm is served in the resort’s restaurants. Guests can tour this organic garden and get some cooking lessons as well.

2. Trinidad

Trinidad is one of the major islands of the Caribbean island country Trinidad and Tobago. Located on this beautiful island is the Asa Wright Nature Center and Lodge. It was established by a group of bird-watching enthusiasts and naturalists in 1967. 

The mission of this nature center is to maintain the natural state of the Arima Valley. It also aims to create a conservation and study area for protecting the local wildlife. The lodge houses over 170 species of birds. Manikins, toucans, and the rare oilbird are some of them. 

Tourists seeking a memorable volunteer vacation can sign up for a period ranging from two to twelve weeks. During this time, they can help maintain flowers and fruit trees. They can also choose to care for the birds, restore trails, work in gardens or produce coffee.

3. Dominican Republic

An island nation in the Caribbean region, Dominican Republic is located on the island of Hispaniola. Located in this island country is a fabulous eco-spa called ‘Natura Cabanas and the Attabeyra Spa’. The spa was built using Feng Shui principles as a compliment to its abundant natural surroundings. Local materials were used in its construction, such as bamboo, mahogany, and coralline stone. 

A comfortable environment has been created at the spa without air-conditioning. Besides a full-service spa and a yoga temple, several activities are offered at this spa. They include swimming, jeep tours of the back-country, and mountain biking.

4. Saint John

Saint John is one of the four main US Virgin Islands in the Caribbean. The Concordia Eco-Tents resort located on this island runs a ‘Trash to Treasures’ program. As a part of this excellent initiative, trash from the resort is recycled into fine art and craft items. 

Guests of this resort can attend classes at the clay studio, glass studio, gallery, and textile department. The low-impact tents of these resorts are no less than many of the eco-friendly villas. All of them have been provided with kitchens, solar power, baths, and hot water. These tents also offer awe-inspiring views of the forest and the Caribbean Sea.

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Such places have experienced droughts at certain times over the years. Generally, the higher mountainous regions enjoy cooler climates. Rainfall in the Caribbean varies according to elevation of an area, its size, and water currents. 

The islands of Aruba and Curacao along with certain other areas experience an arid climate. An equatorial climate is experienced in Belize, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic and other places situated in lowland areas. Cuba has a more seasonal wet and dry climate similar to countries like Venezuela and Colombia.

Seasons in the Caribbean

This region is generally sunny for most part of the year. From May to November, the Caribbean experiences a wet season. During this time of the year, one can see more frequent cloud cover. The dry season arrives in this region in December and lasts through April. 

It is mostly clear and sunny, giving locals and tourists the opportunity to enjoy a pleasant time outdoors. Rainfall in the Caribbean is seasonal with the first six months being less wetter than the second half. For most of the year, the air temperature remains hot and varies from 25 to 33 degrees in Celsius. The period from June to November is a hurricane season in the Caribbean. 

However, they are more frequent in August and September and common in the region’s northern islands. The more threatening hurricanes to the western part of Barbados and northwards of Grenada. During the hurricane season in 2017, the island of Saint Martin was devastated by the hurricane named ‘Irma’. 

Effects of climate change

The biggest natural phenomenon threatening the islands of the Caribbean and its residents is climate change. The major environmental changes affecting the region are stronger and more frequent hurricanes and a rise in sea level. Shorter wet seasons and longer dry seasons resulting from climate change can also greatly impact life on these islands. 

The rise in temperatures above the levels of pre-industrial era would increase the chances of extreme hurricane rains. They can increase by three times in Cuba and Dominican Republic. The extreme hurricane rains can also increase by four to five times in the Bahamas. Communities living along the coastal areas would be the ones seriously affected by the rise in sea level. 

The most affected would be the Bahamas and Trinidad and Tobago. This is because nearly 80% of the total land area of their islands is below the sea level. A considerable rise in surface temperature of air and sea can lead to the development of stronger tropical cyclones. The greater temperature levels also increase the chances of cyclonic storms transforming into hurricanes. 

Irma and Maria are two of the biggest examples of tropical storms developing into hurricanes. When Irma became a hurricane, the sea surface temperature in the Caribbean was 30 degrees in Celsius. A temperature higher than 27 degrees in Celsius is required for the development of a major storm. Even the richest nations in the Caribbean would need 6 years to recover from the impacts of extreme hurricanes.

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Apparently, these predictions seem to be coming true in recent times. There has been a rise in sea levels, heat waves have become more intense, and we’re losing sea ice. The scientists have made it clear that the temperatures will continue to increase in the coming decades globally. Greenhouse gas emissions will be the biggest reason for this rise in global temperatures. 

Now, let’s look at some of the major impacts that climate change would have on Earth’s environment:

1. Hotter and more acidic oceans

The Earth’s oceans absorb about 90% of the extra heat present in the atmosphere. Over the past few decades, the oceans have been expanding. Almost a third of carbon dioxide emissions make their way into the oceans. Such incidents cause ocean levels to rise and their waters become more acidic. In recent times, the ocean is nearly 40% more acidic than ever before. 

2. Increase in extreme weather-related events

With more frequent heat waves occurring worldwide, there’s bound to be an increase in the evaporation of water. This acts like a fuel for storms, resulting in hurricanes. As the sea levels have increased, the storm surges will cause much greater damage in the future. The events of wildfires and droughts in more naturally arid regions will also intensify. 

3. Threat to farmers

Farmers around the world are struggling today while adjusting to the shifting weather patterns. Water supplies have also become more unpredictable. Today, farms are more prone to attacks from pests, weeds, and diseases. This greatly affects the yields from these farms. Reduced water supply, flooding, and other extreme events also threaten the crop yields.

4. Degraded air quality

Ground-level ozone, also called ‘smog’ increases in polluted regions in the presence of a warmer atmosphere. Smog causes irritation in lungs and acts as a trigger for asthma attacks. The quality of air will be further degraded by the smoke caused due to wildfires. Heatwaves will result in increased air temperatures and the extreme heat will cause more deaths. 

5. Threat to Arctic animals

The disappearing sea ice will be a big threat to mammals that depend on it, such as polar bears and walruses. In 2008, the polar bear was included in the list of threatened species. Climate change will result in the loss of natural habitats, making survival difficult for many Arctic animals.

6. Loss of coral reefs and shellfish

Changes in temperatures of the ocean can cause some serious damages to coral reefs. The algae that nourishes the corals and give them their colors will begin to disappear. This will eventually lead to the coral reefs losing their colors. 

As they are home to several other marine beings, their disappearance will disrupt the whole ecosystem. The rising temperatures of the oceans make their waters acidic. This will cause the shellfish to lose their calcium, thus threatening their existence.

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This was for the development of regional projects that could enhance the capabilities for adapting to climate change. Several national and regional workshops were organized by the OAS and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) jointly. Their purpose was to facilitate consultation on climate change issues from maximum stakeholders. A project called Caribbean Planning for Adaptation to Climate Change (CPACC) was developed. The proposal for funding this project was submitted to the Global Environment Facility (GEF). It was approved and granted funds amounting to $5,600,000. The CPACC was implemented by the World Bank starting from 1997 to 2001. The Project Advisory Committee chaired by the Caribbean Community supervised the project, which was executed by the OAS. 

Opening of the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC)

It soon became obvious that a project-by-project approach was not producing significant changes. As a result, the Project Advisory Committee came up with the idea of a Climate Change Centre. It aimed at a long-term strategic approach. The idea was supported fully by the members of the advisory committee, the CARICOM countries, and the World Bank. 

In 2001, the proposal to establish the center was approved by the Council for Trade and Economic Development. Belize was chosen as the country that would host the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre. It was officially opened on the 2nd of August, 2005.

Functions of the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre

The Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre provides information on climate change issues. Additionally, it provides information on the response of the Caribbean region towards managing climate change and adapting to it. Policy advice and guidelines related to climate change is also issued by the center to the CARICOM countries. 

This is done through the secretariat of the CARICOM. In co-operation with Hadley Centre of the United Kingdom and other international partners, the centre downscales global climate models. The purpose is to produce some valuable outputs that are specific to the Caribbean region. The centre is equipped with necessary information and expertise required for identifying threats associated with climate change. 

The CCCCC assists regional governments and other stakeholders in developing and implementing adaptation strategies. In recent times, it is involved in the process of developing an Advanced Airborne Research Lidar system. 

It would be used for surveys on coral reefs, coastal vegetation, and other environmental elements. The center has the necessary capabilities to support Caribbean governments and institutions in the formulation of projects. It acts as the entity that implements projects on behalf of the Caribbean governments or institutions. 

Appropriate training courses on issues related to climate change is developed by the centre. This is mainly developed for various organizations and management levels. The CCCCC also provides consultancy and collaborated joint venture research and development services for renewable energy projects. 

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However, casinos have contributed to global warming. Greenhouse gases resulting from the air-conditioning, lighting and other facilities have caused a considerable damage to the environment. This has prompted the authorities to consider ways to reduce their carbon footprint in the Caribbean region.  We can also recommend making a switch from land based on online casinos, such as those featured on CasinosJungle. But first, let’s consider the environmental impact casinos have on the local ecology.

Making land-based casinos eco-friendly

Most of the land-based casino establishments focus more on attractive lighting and other decorations. Today, many of the casinos located in the Caribbean are taking measures to reduce their carbon footprint. Casinos consume a huge amount of power. Electricity is mainly needed to operate the slot machines, music systems, and flashing lights in the casinos. 

Many of them operate 24/7. For this reason, effort must be made to make them more eco-friendly. This can be done efficiently in the casinos that are being newly constructed. Such establishments can be built using modern building methods that are environment-friendly. Windows and doors can be strategically placed to improve natural cooling and lighting. 

Recycled timber and marble can be included in the construction materials. The use of solar panels can be a great way to generate sustainable energy. This is especially true in the Caribbean! What better way to take advantage of the sunshine than to convert it into power. Poker tables, roulette wheels, and seating arrangements in the casino can be created from eco-friendly furniture. They are largely made from recycled materials.

Going online

Of course, there are many exciting things you can do upon visiting a land-based casino. Casino establishments are full of exciting gaming options. They also have restaurants, bars, and clubs inside them to keep everyone delighted. There are places in the world that have been built specifically for such establishments, such as Las Vegas and Macau. 

Although the Caribbean has no cities that have been devoted to casinos, the region certainly has casino establishments. A considerable amount of electricity is used in these casinos. In turn, this results in an increased carbon footprint. This is the reason why going online can be the best option for those who like playing casino games. Online casinos are obviously eco-friendly, as they don’t need need massive amounts of electricity.

Such casinos can also save on many other things, such as huge investment of capital. Creating a land-based casino would involve enormous costs. Online casinos do not need much investment and can offer much greater variety in games. Those who are new to online casinos can learn more about them by visiting the casino review websites.

The casino review websites provide a great deal of information about the best online casinos. Such sites also educate the new players on how to gamble responsibly to avoid addiction. One such casino review website is Casinos Jungle. It helps players choose the best online casinos to place their bets. The reviewed casinos are also given appropriate ratings, making it easier for players to make a choice. Some of the games can also be tried for free before playing with real cash.

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The coastal areas are important to Jamaica as they produce almost 90% of the country’s total income. Besides Jamaica, many of the other Caribbean countries are also under great threat. This is due to their location, geography, and increased dependence on tourism and agriculture for survival. Here are some of the visible effects of climate change on the Caribbean region:

1. Severe and more frequently occurring storms and hurricanes

The hurricanes and tropical storms have increased in number and strength in recent times. Many scientists are of the opinion that global warming is the culprit behind such incidents. In Jamaica, a tropical storm occurs almost every 4 years. Earlier, such storms occurred in the country once every 9 years. As a result, this has become one of the major concerns in the Caribbean.

2. An increase in the span of dry season and rainy season

Over the past few years, there has been an increase in the span of the region’s two seasons. They are the dry season and the rainy season. Such changes in climate has drastically affected agriculture and food supply in the Caribbean. 

Water supply has been reduced owing to a shorter rainy season and a longer dry season. This includes drinking water, which is supplied to homes, communities, and business establishments.

3. A considerable rise in sea levels and coastal flooding

Besides polluting the underground water, the rising sea levels in the region has other effects. A rise in the levels of the Caribbean sea results in the flooding of coastal areas. It also increases the likelihood of an increase in storms. 

This would have some serious implications for the built-up areas along the coast. The tourism industry of the Caribbean in general would also be affected. The communities living along the coastal areas would also be under constant threat owing to the rising sea levels.

4. Climate change impact on the Caribbean temperatures

An increase in temperatures would seriously affect the people’s physical comfort in this region over a period of time. The rise in temperatures would make the seas warmer, affecting the coral reefs and other forms of marine life. This would affect the supply of fish to the local population.

5. Effects on natural beauty and native animals

Climate change would result in the degradation of natural beauty in the Caribbean. It would also result in the extinction of the native animals. There are many butterflies, birds, and other species of fauna that are unique to this region. Climate change and shifts in patterns of weather would threaten the natural environment, flora, and fauna. 

6. Weakening of natural protection

It is the natural environment of the Caribbean that has offered strong protection to the people of this region. Flood control, groundwater replenishment, protection against storms are some of its functions. However, there has been massive destruction of coral reefs, forests, and wetlands over the years. This has resulted in the weakening of the environment’s ability to protect the Caribbean region and its people.

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