Adapting to climate change a must for the region, says OAS Rep
By VonDez Phipps
Reporter-SKNVibes.com
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – OAS Representative to St. Kitts-Nevis, Starrett Greene has declared that it is critical for Caribbean countries to begin addressing the risks of climate change by adapting to its effects.
Greene referenced the recent passage of Hurricane Omar, which brought strong winds and heavy rains, damaging many commercial and residential properties. He suggested that the region has much work to do in terms of dealing with the incidents of sea surges and heavy flooding in low lying areas.
“Small vulnerable states, like St. Kitts and Nevis, cannot deal with such challenges without solidarity and support from the international community. There are things that can be done, in the short term, which would result in protecting life, safeguarding livelihoods and securing properties,” Greene told SKNVibes.
The OAS representative indicated that international cooperation is vital for meaningful long term progress and stressed that adaptation will require huge investments in “the climate proofing” of basic infrastructure.
He also stated that adaptation will involve helping the world’s most vulnerable people address climate change related risks, and to do so without reversing important gains already achieved in their economic and social development.
~~Adz:Right~~ “It is no secret that planning for adaptation is a fast growing industry in the developed countries, and this has, by and large, been driven by citizens who have become very concerned about the emerging climate change risks and the frequency of natural disasters.
The floating home concept and highly developed flood defense infrastructures that include the construction of vast networks of canals, pumps and dykes are among a set of measures being taken to provide effective defenses in the face of the threats associated with climate change,” he informed.
Greene was adamant that it “can no longer be business as usual for people who live at the water’s edge” and suggested relocation move from probability to reality.
For those hotels and businesses situated along the coast line, he recommended that immediate steps be taken to strengthen the integrity and change the designs of these properties. This, he opined, is also applicable to the related infrastructures such as piers, walkways and boardwalks, in order to prevent destruction by inevitable sea surges that are associated with hurricanes and tropical storms.
“If relocation is not an option, then the owners of hotels, beach bars, restaurants and other structures near the coastline in St. Kitts-Nevis should be resigned to taking immediate steps to adapt their way out of the effects of climate change and the impact of global warming. We must not think of taking action in the future. We must take action now!”
