Rising temperatures and intense rainfall events increase incidence of vector-borne and waterborne diseases already endemic to the country. Groundwater recharge is also inhibited by warming temperatures, increasing water stress vulnerabilities for households and the agriculture sector.
Why is Jamaica vulnerable to climate change?
Jamaica is vulnerable to the climate change hazards that threaten it mainly because of its dependence on freshwater sources, infrastructural inadequacies, and reliance on different economic goods and services.
How does climate change affect Jamaica economy?
Climatic features, such as temperature and precipitation, will affect the demand for tourism in Jamaica. By 2050 the industry is expected to lose US$ 132.2 million and 106.1 million under the A2 and B2 scenarios, respectively.
How does climate change affect animals in Jamaica?
Loss of nesting and feeding habitats particularly for endangered turtle species and crocodiles. Mild warming (+2oC), tropical near-shore communities will change from coral-dominance to algal-dominance. Jamaica’s coral reefs experience massive bleaching due to high sea temperatures in years 1987, 1989, 1990 and 1998.
How does climate change affect tourism in Jamaica?
Tourism is concentrated in coastal areas making it vulnerable to sea level rise and extreme climate features. Estimates have shown that a 1m rise in seal level will impact about 8% of major resorts in Jamaica, while a 2m rise will have an impact on 18% of these resorts.
How will climate change affect the Caribbean?
The main environmental changes expected to affect the Caribbean are a rise in sea level, stronger hurricanes, longer dry seasons and shorter wet seasons. As a result, climate change is expected to lead to changes in the economy, environment and population of the Caribbean.
What is Jamaica’s climate?
Jamaica’s tropical climate brings warmth all year round, but the winter and spring are classed as the dry season. While showers are possible all year round, February is the driest month on average, with about 15mm expected, or roughly 3 rainy days. Sunshine amounts peak through February – April with 9 hours per day.
How does climate change affect Caribbean economies?
The effects of climate change in the Caribbean are not events in some distant future. The tourism sector and the economies and livelihoods in the region are already being affected by sea level rise and erosion and also by extreme impacts such as coral bleaching, flooding, and drought.
How does climate change affect agriculture in Jamaica?
Climate change is a major challenge to agriculture development in Jamaica due to the country’s small land mass, fragile ecosystems, high dependence on food imports and increasing impacts of frequent natural disasters. Extreme climate events have a significant negative influence on the agriculture sector in the country.
How does climate impact food production in Jamaica?
Citrus and root crops are sensitive to changes in temperature and precipitation (moisture). With projected increases in drought conditions and up to 2.8 degree Celsius rise in temperature in the next 60 to 70 years, Jamaica’s domestic crops will be under stress and food security will be threatened.
How does climate change affect agriculture?
Climate change can disrupt food availability, reduce access to food, and affect food quality. For example, projected increases in temperatures, changes in precipitation patterns, changes in extreme weather events, and reductions in water availability may all result in reduced agricultural productivity.
How does climate change affect tourism?
The impacts of climate change may also affect tourism demand directly, interfering with the choice of destination and the period of the trip, or indirectly affecting the quality of the experience, adverse perception after some extreme event and insecurity about the destination.