The Caribbean ecosystems are fragile due to their geographical position, which is more susceptible to the effects of climate change and biodiversity loss. The Greater Caribbean is one of the most biodiverse areas on the planet. It is vulnerable to natural disasters.
Caribbean ecosystems like coral reefs, mangroves, tropical forests, and coasts provide protection for many forms of biodiversity. There has already been an increase in plant pests, diseases, and invasive species that have targeted certain plants and ecosystems destroyed native species populations, or brought them close to extinction.
There is great urgency because of the climate as climate change has increased plant diseases and pests, and more pathways have only exacerbated their spread. Over 40% of food crop losses have been a result of plant pests. Protecting the Caribbean ecosystems from invasive species, plant pests and diseases is a high priority, since it is projected to be 17% drier by the end of the century, in combination with a rise in sea levels and an increase in temperatures. The Caribbean Plant Health Director Forum’s critical goal is to increase communication and the transparent exchange of sanitary information among Caribbean Countries with the purpose of safeguarding the regions’ agriculture from new and existing plant pests.
The Caribbean is ground zero for the global climate emergency. The increase in temperatures has created fluctuations in agriculture as it is now difficult for certain crops to grow in the year, without unpredictable heavy rainfalls that have been steadily increasing due to climate change. One concept to help protect the region is the use of Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) which encompasses actions that rely on ecosystems and the services that they provide. It is one of the many solutions to food security, natural disasters, and climate change.
The current response from all Caribbean regions has been to promote climate-smart solutions that would help protect its agricultural sector. Other measures involve an increase in awareness and implementation of biosecurity measures that would protect other sectors like Trade and Tourism from plant pests and diseases. The surface of the planet has already reached 1.5°C, from greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful gases, it is necessary for the future of other generations to protect the Caribbean ecosystems, as many rely on it.
Read more from our sources below!
Sources:
Association of Caribbean States – Earth Day 2022
IISD – 7th Session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (GP2022)
IADB – What can be done to improve disaster preparedness and response in Haiti? Key Takeaways from a Mercredi de Réflexion
United Nations – Caribbean ‘Ground Zero’ for Global Climate Emergency
CPHD Forum – The Caribbean Plant Health Directors (CPHD) Forum – Protecting Plants, Protecting Life for the past 15 years
