BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – CLIMATE change continues to be one of the major challenges facing the Caribbean, significantly impacting the region's food security. Rising temperatures and stronger hurricanes threaten the long-term viability of the agricultural sector.
At the recent Caribbean Week of Agriculture, policymakers, stakeholders, and sector leaders from across the region gathered to discuss strategies for enhancing agricultural resilience. The discussions centered on how to mitigate climate impacts and secure the future of the sector.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, expressed concern over rising temperatures and criticized developed nations and international agencies for failing to adequately support vulnerable countries, especially those in the Caribbean.
The region has long advocated for limiting global warming to 1.5°C to safeguard our future. However, developed nations have not committed enough resources to tackle the growing threat, which directly affects food security in the region. From higher temperatures impacting water supplies to more intense hurricanes disrupting agriculture, the challenges are immense.
The Regional Impact of Hurricanes and Rising Temperatures
During his speech, Gonsalves highlighted the recent devastation caused by Hurricane Beryl, which severely impacted St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, and their territories. The storm dealt a heavy blow to the agriculture sector, which had been progressing toward the Caribbean’s 25 by 2025 initiative, aimed at reducing food imports by 25%.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) reported that the southern islands of St. Vincent and the Grenadines suffered damages amounting to 20-25% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Gonsalves noted that Hurricane Beryl inflicted economic losses of over US$300 million, with additional unaccounted impacts.
“We have to repair or build over 5,000 homes, 5,000 houses. Already, without any help from anybody to repair any house, we have already repaired over 1,200,” said Gonsalves.
Gonsalves also emphasized the broader disruptions caused by the hurricane: “We have to deal with our water systems, our electricity, and here we are just over 90 days after holding an important regional conference. Our schools are damaged, our police stations, our clinics, and as I speak to you today, all our children have been at school either on time on September the 2nd or within one or two weeks after September the 2nd. Now, a sustainable future is within the context of the Sustainable Development Goals. There are 17 of them.”
Climate Financing and the Need for Global Action
Gonsalves criticized developed countries for their insufficient contributions to loss and damage funding—a key issue raised at the United Nations General Assembly. Despite promises to mobilize US$700 billion annually, the available funds fall short of what is needed to rebuild and prepare for future disasters.
“The amount in the loss and damage fund today wouldn’t even cover the damage caused by the hurricane in Dominica in 2017,” Gonsalves remarked. “Although debt suspension clauses provide temporary relief, they merely delay payments without offering real financial support.”
He lamented that Caribbean countries are often forced to choose between ‘debt or death.’
Gonsalves highlighted the Bridgetown Initiative 3.0, an innovative proposal endorsed by CARICOM to address financing challenges. However, he expressed frustration at the lack of meaningful action from international institutions: “Institutions like the World Bank, IMF, and Inter-American Development Bank pay lip service to our proposals. It’s like going to church, making the sign of the cross, but without true faith. We need more than symbolic gestures; we need real financial support.”
A Call for Climate-Smart Agriculture
Gonsalves stressed the importance of adopting climate-smart agriculture to ensure the region's agricultural sustainability. He noted that tackling climate change requires not only sustainable farming practices but also addressing broader global challenges, including geopolitical conflicts.
As the Caribbean grapples with the dual threats of climate change and economic instability, the region continues to advocate for stronger commitments from the global community.
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