Trinidad and Tobago Climate Change and Sustainable Development
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Trinidad and Tobago location
Trinidad and Tobago is an island nation in the southern Caribbean. It is made up of two main islands, Trinidad and Tobago, as well as a number of smaller islands. Trinidad and Tobago, the Caribbean’s two southernmost connections, are located near the continent of South America, northeast of Venezuela and northwest of Guyana. The island of Trinidad is by far the bigger of the two main islands, covering around 1,850 square miles (4,800 square km). At its closest point, it is 7 miles (11 kilometers) from the Venezuelan shore, separated by the Gulf of Paria and two narrow channels, which contain several small islands and rocks.
Tobago, which is significantly smaller than Trinidad and covers roughly 115 square miles (300 square kilometers), is located 20 miles (30 kilometers) northeast of Trinidad. Tobago is around 30 miles (50 kilometers) long and more than 10 miles (16 kilometers) wide at its widest point, running diagonally from southwest to northeast. Little Tobago is a mile off the northeastern coast of Tobago. Little Tobago, also known as Bird of Paradise Island, was originally the only wild home outside of New Guinea for the bigger bird of paradise; however, the bird is no longer found there.
Trinidad and Tobago Climate
Trinidad and Tobago climate has a tropical climate with high relative humidity. The coldest months are January and February, with average minimum temperatures of around 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius). The warmest months are April, May, and October, with average high temperatures of around 89 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius). In general, mean temperatures range from 77 degrees Fahrenheit (25 degrees Celsius) in February to 85 degrees Fahrenheit (29 degrees Celsius) in April. The climate around the shore is moderated by sea breezes, which cause large temperature differences between day and night.
From January to May, there is a main dry season, and from September to October, there is a secondary dry season (Petite Carême, or Indian Summer). The northeast trades are the dominant winds. Although the islands are outside of the main storm belt, Tobago is periodically hit by devastating hurricanes.
Trinidad and Tobago Climate Change and Sustainable Development
While climate change has impacted many countries throughout the world, it has had a particularly large impact on small island developing states like Trinidad and Tobago. This rising issue has had a social impact on the islands, but it has also been a hidden economic killer. Trinidad and Tobago, like many other small island developing states, has suffered from rising sea levels, increasing floods, increased weather unpredictability, slope erosion, and the loss of coastal habitats, all of which are indications of climate change’s continuous march.
This has happened because of the islands’ current economic vulnerability, not because of a lack of readiness. As a result, climate change continues to have a significant impact on Trinidad and Tobago’s already recovering economy.
Researchers discovered and highlighted many areas of Trinidad and Tobago’s economy that are anticipated to be most impacted by climate change in a document titled “Working towards Sustainable Development,” issued by the Ministry of Planning and the Economy. Agriculture, health, and coastal zones are among these areas. Despite not being a big contributor to the country’s GDP, the agricultural sector has become a focal point of the government’s plan to diversify the economy in recent years.
Their research found that the projected increase in air temperature from climate change is likely to increase the aridity of soils, thus decreasing crop yields. They also found that the increase in sea level is likely to result in inundation of coastal areas and salination of soil, and finally, that increased temperatures can result in the increased proliferation of new and existing pests and diseases and increase the demand for water for irrigation purposes. These threats to agriculture are of major concern to the country as the nation is currently trying to improve its economic climate.
Another vital sector of the economy that is likely to be impacted is health care. Higher temperatures and humidity enhance the proliferation of vector-borne insects, hence expected increases in ambient air temperature are likely to boost the spread of vector diseases. They also discovered that rising sea levels and increased precipitation intensity are likely to lead to an increase in the occurrence of waterborne illnesses. Aside from the obvious economic consequences, the spread of these diseases has the potential to destroy and disintegrate the country’s workforce.
Apart from oil, Trinidad and Tobago is known for its flourishing tourism industry, which is supported by the country’s mild climate, gorgeous beaches, and sandy coastline. Researchers predicted that as climate change progressed, the nation would face increased occurrences of tropical storms, coastal flooding, a rise in sea levels, and an increased risk of droughts, according to a study conducted by the Inter-American Development Bank on climate adaptation in Trinidad and Tobago. This erosion of the country’s coast and main tourist attractions may have a negative impact on the tourism industry and its total economic contribution.
It is crucial to emphasize, however, that the IDB, in collaboration with Trinidad and Tobago’s governmental and commercial sectors, is already taking steps to reduce these concerns. The development of the Agriculture and Climate Change Research Unit, the Social Awareness Program, and the Institutional Training Program, to name a few, as well as several more initiatives aimed at defending the country, are examples of such actions.
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recentclimate – Trinidad and Tobago Climate Change and Sustainable Development,Trinidad and Tobago Climate Change and Sustainable Development