Climate Change Threatens Caribbean Tourism
Tourism is called to be the main victim of climate change, warned Deirdre Shurland, director of the Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism (CAST).

During the 11th Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Investment Conference held this week at the Curazao World Trade Center, the executive of CAST called to be prepared for this weather phenomenon already taking place in order to alleviate its impact on the main income-earner of the region´s economies.

Eighty-four developing countries, including four Caribbean islands, are already suffering the effects of chlorofluorocarbon gases emission, with a rising level of sea water by 1 to 5 meters in the last few years causing frequent flooding of low coastal areas.

Shurland mentioned among the most threatened in the Caribbean, Bahamas, Jamaica and Cuba, but in general all the island countries in the Caribbean basin are suffering the consequence of temperatures rising by three degrees in the last decade.

It is very important, said Deirdre Shurland, that investors and planners from both the public and private sectors join their efforts and take this situation into account when designing all their development projects.

Energy-saving measures and use of renewable sources are upfront in the battle against the impact of climate change, said Thomas Scheutzlich, principal advisor for the Caribbean Renewable Energy Development program funded by the German government.

The panel discussion moderated by David Jessop, executive director of the London-based Caribbean Council, stressed the need to lower gas emission levels by the development of renewable energy sources like solar, wind and water to lower the impact of climate change.

An international study carried out by the German program showed that 60 per cent of CFC emissions come from the generation of electricity and use of refrigerators and air conditioners that are energy-inefficient.

The conference held from May 8 to 10 agreed to convene again next year in Trinidad and Tobago.