4 Degrees can mean the world of Change

Over the last few years there have been many changes in our environment and  phrases such as ‘Global Warming’ and ‘Climate Change’ have become a part of our everyday language. But what does this mean for persons in small islands such as St. Vincent and the Grenadines? What will be the impact if the 4 degrees Celsius warms the Earth? A warmer world will not only impact us here in St. Vincent and the Grenadines but also the whole world!

Taken from WorldAtlas.com 

                One of the world’s foremost experts on climate research, Prof. Hans Joachim Schellnhuber who is Director of  Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research,  located in Potsdam, Germany talks about the impact of CO2/Carbon Dioxide on today’s world. It is interesting to note that with all the green vegetation in St. Vincent that we don’t really think about CO2 emissions. However if we are to look at the impact of CO2 on temperature, we will begin to look at how the dry season has become so unpredictable and the havoc being wreaked by the continued spike in temperature. We are now experiencing hotter days which are impacting how we live our everyday lives.

The Marriaqua Valley (13th most fertile valley in the world)

                But what if the world’s countries don’t change, what will be the impact? Dr. Erick Fernandes, Adviser, Climate Change and Natural Resource Management, Latin America and Caribbean Agriculture and Rural Development Unit at World Bank notes that while there may be some positive from the rise in temperature, it will ultimately impact our agricultural production. As a country that is dependent on agriculture and agricultural exports, we will be impacted severely whether by droughts or lots of precipitation which will destroy our agricultural stocks. We will no longer have any form of food security and will have to begin looking at higher import bills or even food crises that can lead to malnourishment, and spread of diseases.

Anopheles Mosquito which carries the disease. (Photo from CDC.gov)

                We as an island nation will also be looking at rising sea levels as this can have a major impact on our country, both physically and economically. In the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change Report, the impact shown from the unattended levels of emissions is staggering and shows a drastic rise in sea levels impacting the Pacific and Atlantic Ocean islands and leaving millions of persons displaced by coastal flooding. There will be loss of valuable coastal property which will impact industries such as fishing and tourism. According to Prof. Stefan Rahmstorf ,Professor of Physics of the Oceans, Potsdam University, and Head, Earth System Analysis  at Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, he states ” We can see that also some of the ecosystems that protect the coasts from storm surges will get  damaged by sea‐level rise. “ He notes in the longer run coastal cities as well as island states may be at risk. The impact of coastal flooding is not only important to us in SVG or the Caribbean but also coastal cities such as New York in the US and Rotterdam in Europe. It is a problem that will affect us all.

Flooding in the island of Oceania which are already feeling the effects of Climate Change 

                We will also see an impact on the health of our population from the effects of this 4 degree change in temperature. Prof. Anthony McMichael, Professor Emeritus of Population Health at Australian National University in Canberra, Australia notes that there will be an impact on the health of our populations. In addition to food shortages and dwindling resources, the health of our people especially those who are in the poor and vulnerable areas will have a lot to contend with such as rise in vectors such as mosquitoes and the diseases that they carry like malaria will see an upsurge as conditions will be favourable for breeding them. The impact on the ecosystem he notes will also impact us as animals such as bats which help control disease will be impacted and will no longer be there to help contain these diseases leading to a world that is very unhealthy and diseased.

                So what is the solution you may ask? There is no quick fix for climate change and the effects. We are living in a technological age where we have to develop the solution for climate change by working together as nations on the Earth whether you are 150 square kilometres or millions of square kilometres. We have to see how we can impact the discussion and bring about changes at the local, regional and international level. And if you think Climate change is not important, just think of your favourite beach and you no longer being able to visit it or you can only get rationed food to eat or there is a major outbreak of Malaria. The time is now to start action for a world of change and stop the 4 degrees.