The impact of Climate Change on Coastal Areas in Jamaica: The importance of Coastal Zone Management Ms. Leiska Powell

The Impact of Climate Change on the Coastal Areas of Jamaica: The Importance of Coastal Zone Management Presentation by Leiska Powell The University of the West Indies and Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre Conference Climate Change: Impacts on the Caribbean June 15-17

Outline of Presentation What is causing climate and impacts What is causing climate and impacts What are coastal zones? What are coastal zones? Importance of Coastal Areas is Jamaica Importance of Coastal Areas is Jamaica Impact of Climate Change on Jamaica’s Coastal Areas Impact of Climate Change on Jamaica’s Coastal Areas Integrated Coastal Planning and Management Integrated Coastal Planning and Management Case Study: Barbados Case Study: Barbados Conclusion Conclusion

What is causing Climate Change?  GHGs such as Carbon Dioxide, Methane and CFCs trap heat radiating from the earth’s surface  These GHGs prevent the heat from immediately escaping into space.  The part of the atmosphere that is closest to the earth’s surface warms, resulting in Global Warming.

Impacts Resulting from Climate Change The impacts are expected to include the following: Average temperature rise in the region of approximately 3ºC by 2080 Average temperature rise in the region of approximately 3ºC by 2080 Average sea level rise of 5 mm/year over the next century Average sea level rise of 5 mm/year over the next century Increased intensity and potentially increased frequency of extreme weather events such as hurricanes Increased intensity and potentially increased frequency of extreme weather events such as hurricanes Changing patterns of rainfall Changing patterns of rainfall

Critical Facts SIDS account for less than 1% of GHG emissions (IPCC, 2001). SIDS account for less than 1% of GHG emissions (IPCC, 2001). However, SIDS are among the most vulnerable to the potential adverse effects of climate change and sea level rise. However, SIDS are among the most vulnerable to the potential adverse effects of climate change and sea level rise. This is because SIDS are : This is because SIDS are : 1. Ecological Fragile 1. Ecological Fragile 2. Small in size 2. Small in size 3.Geographic dispersion 3.Geographic dispersion

Critical Facts Cont’d 4. Vulnerability to natural disasters 4. Vulnerability to natural disasters 5. Limited natural resources 5. Limited natural resources 6. Isolation from markets 6. Isolation from markets 7. Limited commodities and dependence on imports 7. Limited commodities and dependence on imports 8. Vulnerability to external economic and financial shocks. 8. Vulnerability to external economic and financial shocks.

What are Coastal Zones? Define using two approaches: Define using two approaches: 1. Physical- It views the coast from a spatial perspective, incorporating all those areas that drain out to the sea and, those that are periodically inundated by tides …This definition embraces the coastal watersheds, plains and shoreline; the rivers, and wetlands that drain them; and the beaches, seagrass beds, reefs and other marine formations. 1. Physical- It views the coast from a spatial perspective, incorporating all those areas that drain out to the sea and, those that are periodically inundated by tides …This definition embraces the coastal watersheds, plains and shoreline; the rivers, and wetlands that drain them; and the beaches, seagrass beds, reefs and other marine formations. 2. Stresses relationships and interaction that are linked by physical, biological or human interactions as a result of tides, drainage, waste discharge, storms, resource utilization etc. 2. Stresses relationships and interaction that are linked by physical, biological or human interactions as a result of tides, drainage, waste discharge, storms, resource utilization etc.

Benefits that Coastal Ecosystems Provide Provide benefits under four categories: Provide benefits under four categories: 1. Regulating- protection of shores from storm surges and waves; prevention of erosion and water quality maintenance. 1. Regulating- protection of shores from storm surges and waves; prevention of erosion and water quality maintenance. 2. Provisioning- fisheries, medicines and construction materials. 2. Provisioning- fisheries, medicines and construction materials. 3. Cultural- tourism and recreation, spiritual and aesthetic appreciation. 3. Cultural- tourism and recreation, spiritual and aesthetic appreciation. 4. Supporting- cycling of nutrients, fish nursery habitat. 4. Supporting- cycling of nutrients, fish nursery habitat.

Importance of Coastal Areas in Jamaica It is a source of livelihood It is a source of livelihood Generates millions of dollars- eg. Tourism [foreign exchange earnings in 2000 estimated at US$1332.6m and approx. 20% (directly and indirectly ) of employed labour force]. Generates millions of dollars- eg. Tourism [foreign exchange earnings in 2000 estimated at US$1332.6m and approx. 20% (directly and indirectly ) of employed labour force]. As a result, approx. 2/3 of the population live in coastal towns and cities and most commercial and industrial activities are concentrated along the coast.

Cont’d  However, coastal ecosystems undergo stress from competing multi-usage demands often result in conflicts and the destruction of the functional integrity of the resource system.  Degradation of coastal resources can increase Jamaica’s vulnerability to the impacts of climate change.  Therefore, the marine environment should be incorporated into development planning agendas.

Impact of Climate Change on Jamaica’s Coastal Areas Change FactorPotential Impacts on the Coast Sea Level Rise 1. Flooding and inundation of low lying areas and coastal communities 2. Dislocation of coastal communities 3. Land loss 4. Saltwater intrusion Hurricanes/ Storm Surge 1. Increased coastal erosion and damage to coastal infrastructure and buildings 2. Loss of Tourism Investments and subsequent negative impact on employment 3. Increased likelihood of flooding 4. Increased risk to human life and risk of infectious disease 5. Damage to coastal resources such as coral reefs, seagrasses and mangroves Temperature 1. Coral bleaching from higher sea surface temperatures Rainfall 1. Increased rainfall duration/intensity may result in higher incidence of flooding

Selected Hurricanes in the Caribbean and their Impact HurricaneYearCountryImpact (GDP %) Gilbert1988Jamaica65 Hugo1989Monsterrat200 Debbie1994St.Lucia18 Luis and Marilyn1995Antigua65 Luis and Marilyn1995St.Kitts and Nevis85 George1998St.Kitts and Nevis50 (sugar Harvest) Lenny1999Barbuda95 Michelle2001Jamaica1 Ivan2004Grenada200 Ivan2004Jamaica8 Dennis and Emily2005Jamaica1

Impacts of Hurricane Ivan Hurricane Ivan impacted on 8% of the country’s GDP. Hurricane Ivan impacted on 8% of the country’s GDP. All productive sectors – agriculture and livestock, manufacturing, mining and tourism etc were affected. All productive sectors – agriculture and livestock, manufacturing, mining and tourism etc were affected. Agricultural Sector- US$137.9 mi in damages. Approx. 8,000 farmers were out of work during the recovery phase as their farms were damaged. Agricultural Sector- US$137.9 mi in damages. Approx. 8,000 farmers were out of work during the recovery phase as their farms were damaged. Tourism Sector- US$25.7 mi damage and losses. Tourism Sector- US$25.7 mi damage and losses. Total damage and losses caused by Hurricane Ivan – US$595 mi Total damage and losses caused by Hurricane Ivan – US$595 mi

Integrated Coastal Planning and Management (ICPM)  ICPM is dynamic process in which a coordinated strategy is developed and implemented for the allocation of environmental, socio-cultural and institutional resources to achieve the conservation and sustainable use of the coastal zone (Sorensen, 1993).  It is an evolutionary and iterative process  Responds to changing conditions-effects of climate change

Goals of ICPM The goals of ICPM are to : The goals of ICPM are to : 1. promote sustainable development of coastal areas 1. promote sustainable development of coastal areas 2. reduce the vulnerability of the coastal zone and their people to hazards 2. reduce the vulnerability of the coastal zone and their people to hazards 3. maintain essential ecological processes, life support systems and biological diversity. 3. maintain essential ecological processes, life support systems and biological diversity.

Functions of ICPM Unit/Agency 1. Area Planning- plan for present and future uses of coastal and marine areas, that is, long- term vision. 2. Promotion of Economic Development- promote appropriate uses of coastal and marine area eg. tourism 3. Stewardship of Resources-protect the ecological base of coastal and marine areas e.g. preserve biodiversity and ensure sustainable use

Functions of ICPM Unit Cont’d 4. Conflict Resolution- harmonize and balance existing and potential uses and address conflict among the various uses. 5. Protection of Public Safety- protect public safety in coastal areas typically prone to nat. as well as human made hazards. 6. Proprietorship of Public Submerged Lands and Waters-manage govt. held areas and resources wisely.

ICPM Unit- Barbados ICPM Unit was established in 1996, was seen as ICPM Unit was established in 1996, was seen as 1. best way for maintaining effective management of the coastline 1. best way for maintaining effective management of the coastline 2. crucial to Barbados surviving climate change impacts. 2. crucial to Barbados surviving climate change impacts. Examples of the functions performed by the Unit – coral reef monitoring, Examples of the functions performed by the Unit – coral reef monitoring, enforcement of building set- backs and zoning of ecologically sensitive areas, public education, beach erosion monitoring and control and review of coastal projects etc.

Results Achieved Preparation of an Integrated Coastal Management Plan for the entire island. Preparation of an Integrated Coastal Management Plan for the entire island. Training in key specialist areas- coastal engineering, GIS, hydrographic surveying. Training in key specialist areas- coastal engineering, GIS, hydrographic surveying. A variety of oceanographic, coastal and ecological monitoring programmes established. A variety of oceanographic, coastal and ecological monitoring programmes established. Design and implementation of appropriate solutions to deal with beach and coastal erosion problems etc. Design and implementation of appropriate solutions to deal with beach and coastal erosion problems etc.

Conclusion  There is a close relationship between the ecological, economic and social systems.  Global climate change will impact on all these systems  As such, to maximize flexibility and enhance resilience and adaptation, appropriate policies and national planning much integrate all three (3) systems. Relationship between Economy, Society and Environment

Recommendations Need to establish an Integrated Coastal Planning and Management Unit. Need to establish an Integrated Coastal Planning and Management Unit. Updating Development Orders for the Coastal Zone Updating Development Orders for the Coastal Zone Enforcement of Coastal Setback Distances Enforcement of Coastal Setback Distances

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