PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands – The Caribbean region faces a new reality for tourism in an era of climate change, a leading environmental researcher has warned.
Senior research associate from Oxford University’s Centre for the Environment, Dr. Murray Simpson said this new reality includes a potential geographic and seasonal shift in tourism demand which could take tourists away from the region.
He also cautioned that unless steps are taken to reverse climate change, the Caribbean region can expect severe weather conditions that will place its tourism sector at risk
“Air temperature, sea surface temperature, a rise in sea level, coastal erosion, changes in levels of precipitation, and an increase in intensity and frequency of extreme events such as drought, flood, storm surge, and hurricanes are all indicative of both gradual and extreme impacts of unchecked climate change,” Dr. Simpson told delegates attending the 10th Annual Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development (STC-10) here.
Speaking on the subject, Challenges for the Caribbean Coastal Tourism Environment, the environmental researcher said it was unfortunately that the Caribbean should bear the brunt of unchecked environmental issues because region is not a major contributor to global warming.
“The Caribbean generates a very small carbon footprint itself, yet it is inordinately impacted by this global challenge,” Dr. Simpson said.
He strongly recommended mitigation measures to achieve carbon neutrality for businesses and institutions. These include eliminating the emission of greenhouse gases by resisting activities that are not entirely necessary.
“We can reduce the emission of greenhouse gases by focusing on energy efficiency practices in specific activities,” said Dr. Simpson. “We can also substitute practices that are responsible for a big amount of greenhouse gases emissions with practices that have a lower climate footprint. An institution or business unit can then offset remaining emissions to achieve full climate neutrality.”
The 10th Annual Caribbean Conference on Sustainable Tourism is organized by the Caribbean Tourism Organization in collaboration with the Turks & Caicos Islands Tourist Board and the Caribbean Hotel Association.
