NASSAU, Bahamas – Low lying Small Island States like The Bahamas will suffer the most if global warming continues due to increased amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases (GHGs), says Mr. Arthur Rolle, Director of Meteorology and Chairman of the Climate Change Committee (CCC).
As a result, Mr Rolle says, the CCC created adaptation policies to foster and guide a national adaptation plan for the medium and long-term effects of climate change without impacting or reducing the quality of life of Bahamians, or compromising sustainable development activities.
But, Mr. Rolle says, when it comes to preparing for global warming, The Bahamas has really three options — accommodate, retrofit and retreat.
Firstly, says Mr Rolle, questions like whether the country can really accommodate a heavy storm surge should be asked, because, while some homes are built well in terms of structure, surges can lead to flooding which can destroy furniture or end human life.
He says the second option to be considered is retrofit.
“You are talking about after the destruction has been done now having to find money to replace damaged goods. That has financial implications,” Mr Rolle says.
The third option, says Mr Rolle, is finding a place to evacuate Bahamians, especially those living on the small island of New Providence.
Mr. Rolle says the best option for Small Island States like The Bahamas is to pressure industrialised countries to reduce their level of greenhouse gas emissions so that small nations can live peacefully away from the harmful effects of global warming.
But the effects of global warming can already be seen on the country, Mr Rolle says.
He adds: “During our study in the First National Communication, we looked at how the rainfall increased in the Northwest Bahamas – in the islands of Grand Bahama, Abaco, Bimini, Eleuthera, New Providence, Andros, and the Berry Islands.
“But at the same time, it is decreasing in the Central Islands and Southeastern Islands and this will have an impact on subsistence farming.
“When you have little or no rainfall or drought, it means you have to take other measures – you have to now get a good irrigation system, you have to use more fertiliser, if need be. All of this will be the impact of climate change.”
He notes that from 1992 to 2005, major hurricanes such as Andrew, Floyd, Francis, Jeanne and Michelle have impacted The Bahamas.
“In 2005, we had a record-breaking number of storms, but we don’t want to jump the gun and say that hurricanes or tropical cyclones are increasing in frequency, but we do know that they are increasing in intensity,” he says.
Mr Rolle also warns about building too close to the coastline. He said the Halloween Storm of October, 1991, which was depicted in the 2000 movie, The Perfect Storm, impacted the western shores resulting in thousands of dollars in damage to homes.
“You had some huge boulders coming into homes and that storm destroyed Coral World. So anyone thinking about the coastline should really reconsider given the fact that the sea level is rising and the storm surges are getting higher as the result of the intensity of hurricanes,” he says.
The Bahamian fishing industry will also suffer the effects of global warming as the seas begin to heat up, Mr Rolle says.
“Right now you know in Barbados and Trinidad, there’s a problem now over the fact that the flying fish, which is renowned in Barbados, has now gone to Trinidad.
“There’s a study going and it is believed that because of the warming of the water the fish migrate. So it could have the same impact here in The Bahamas,” says Mr. Rolle.
