The World Bank says due to rising sea levels and recurring storms, the beaches in most Caribbean nations have started to disappear.
In a new report, the Washington-based financial institution said in some areas of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, for instance, an estimated 18-30 meters of beach have been lost over the last nine years.
“The highly vulnerable coastal strand and adjacent towns are fighting against increased flood risk from rainfall and storm surge,” said the bank, noting that the issue of challenges faced by small islands around the world was at the center of the just-concluded Third Small Island Developing States (SIDS) conference in Samona.
The bank said the theme of the conference was sustainable development in view of these states unique and particular vulnerabilities.
The World Bank said beaches are not the only concern, stating that Caribbean ports are also at risk from rising sea levels.
“In island states, ports are the economic heart of the country, typically the capital and the island center of commerce,” said the bank, adding that airports are also affected.
To improve the Caribbean’s ability to resist and adapt to the effects of climate change, the World Bank has made some recommendations.
Among the recommendations are the implementation of a preventive system to establish an economic recovery and diversification plan following a disaster, as well as increased investment in scientific data collection and flood controls, land planning and watershed management.
The poor and vulnerable are the most affected by a global seas level rise, the bank noted.
