threat of climate change
Rising sea levels pose one of the most immediate and existential threats to coastal nations around the globe, and St Maarten is no exception. In the absence of immediate and meaningful intervention, St. Maarten could be transformed into a shell of its current self, with neighborhoods and businesses washed away and agricultural lands rendered unusable by salinized soil.
Rising seas would also intensify storm surges, amplifying the impact of hurricanes that are already becoming more severe with climate change. These powerful storms, combined with rising waters, threaten to erode St. Maarten’s coastlines, demolish coral reefs, and flood inland areas, turning routine storms into catastrophic events. Inundation of this scale would displace thousands, leaving communities fractured and unable to recover economically or socially.
For St. Maarten to avoid this bleak future, both the government and its people must act decisively. Conservationist Tadzio Bervoets warns that by ignoring this looming threat, St. Maarten risks irreversible damage. This is not a distant threat but an imminent reality—and the time to act is now.
You mention the threat of rising sea levels and the potential for widespread displacement. Can you elaborate on which specific areas of St. Maarten are most at risk of being underwater in the coming years, and what timeframe are we looking at? Specifically, are we at risk of losing the airport and Simpson Bay in the next 30 years?
In 2017, while I was manager of the Nature Foundation, we conducted a comprehensive study assessing the vulnerability of St. Maarten to sea-level rise. The findings were alarming. Critical infrastructure, including in Simpson Bay, where Princess Juliana International Airport is located, as well as Great Bay, Sucker Garden, Cole Bay, and Oyster Pond, are at significant risk. These areas host key tourism, transport, and government facilities, and a sea-level rise of 1 to 5 meters in the next 20 to 50 years could cause widespread flooding and displacement. We are indeed at risk of losing the airport and much of Simpson Bay if no mitigation measures are implemented soon. Without intervention, coastal erosion and inundation could impact the island’s economy and displace thousands of residents, causing immeasurable damage to our way of life.
Barbados and Grenada have taken proactive steps in addressing climate change. What specific obstacles do you think prevent St. Maarten from adopting similar measures? Is it political will, lack of funding, or something else?
The primary obstacle facing St. Maarten is a lack of political will and a lack of understanding at a political level. The sense of urgency around climate change is simply not as present as it should be, even though it is a critical national development issue, not just an environmental one. While all OECS and CARICOM member states, including Barbados and Grenada, have developed climate adaptation and mitigation plans, St. Maarten definitely lags behind the region. I am currently working with nine Caribbean countries in developing climate strategies, and the process starts with integrating climate risks into every sector’s national policies, including tourism, agriculture, and energy. There also needs to be a deeper understanding of the Blue Economy, which focuses on sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth. As the Blue Economy Lead for the largest Sustainable Blue Economies project in the region, I’ve noticed a gap in comprehension in St. Maarten regarding how the Blue Economy can provide sustainable financial mechanisms to build climate resilience.
Given that much of St. Maarten’s population lives along the coast, how do you see the government addressing the risk of coastal flooding soon? Are there any mitigation efforts in place that you believe could be expanded?
At present, there are some limited mitigation efforts, but they are far from comprehensive. One of the most effective strategies St. Maarten should adopt is ecosystem-based adaptation measures. This includes restoring and preserving mangroves, coral reefs, and our wetlands, which provide natural barriers against coastal flooding. As part of the response strategy developed during my time as the Director of the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance , we emphasized the importance of utilizing nature-based solutions to enhance coastal resilience. However, expanding these efforts is crucial. For example, focusing on coral restoration projects can mitigate the effects of warmer waters and bleaching, while also serving as a buffer against storm surges. Additionally, restoring mangroves and other coastal vegetation would help protect low-lying areas prone to flooding, such as Simpson Bay and Great Bay. Additionally, all permitting coming from government must include Environmental, Climate and Social Safeguards for the consideration as to whether or not a permit is given.
Your recent letter to the Editor stresses that climate change isn’t just an environmental issue, but an existential threat to the economy. Which economic sectors, in your opinion, are most vulnerable to climate-related disruptions, and how should St. Maarten prioritize safeguarding these industries?
The tourism and marine sectors are the most vulnerable to climate-related disruptions. Rising sea levels, stronger hurricanes, and warmer waters directly threaten St. Maarten’s primary source of revenue—tourism. Hotels, beaches, and ports are at risk of damage from extreme weather events, while increasing temperatures and more frequent blackouts—caused by a strained electricity grid amongst other issues at our utilities company—affect daily operations in tourism facilities. To safeguard these industries, St. Maarten must prioritize building resilient infrastructure that can withstand extreme weather. Additionally, investing in renewable energy sources will help reduce the pressure on our fragile electricity grid while decreasing our carbon footprint. Leveraging data is also crucial for decision-making, ensuring that we base our planning on sound, evidence-driven policies.
You talk about warmer waters and shifting marine ecosystems impacting tourism. How do you see the marine-based tourism industry adapting to these changes? Are there any initiatives you think St. Maarten should adopt to protect this vital sector?
The marine-based tourism industry will need to adapt to the changing ecosystem, particularly in response to coral bleaching and warmer waters. During my time at DCNA, we implemented strategies to address the impacts of climate change on the Dutch Caribbean, including protecting coral reefs. Coral bleaching, fueled by rising temperatures, threatens the biodiversity that draws so many tourists.
St. Maarten should adopt coral restoration projects at a wide-scale and supported as an institutional program from government and not as part of an NGO-driving project, as well as create additional marine protected areas that can act as refuges for marine life. Additionally, beach erosion and loss of access to these areas due to rising sea levels must be addressed through coastal protection measures and developing legislation (not a policy) that accounts for beach access, beach restoration and beach management through the development of EIA laws and the adaptation of the Zoning Plans. Investing in sustainable tourism that prioritizes environmental protection can help maintain the industry’s appeal while preserving the natural resources that fuel it instead of only focusing on increased cruise passengers and increased airlift to the island.
You call for a comprehensive national climate change adaptation and mitigation plan. What would be the most immediate first steps the government should take to create such a plan?
The most immediate step the government should take is conducting a vulnerability assessment. This will identify the areas and sectors most at risk of climate-related impacts, such as sea-level rise and more intense storms. Following that, integrating climate risks into national policies across all sectors—tourism, energy, agriculture, and infrastructure—is crucial to ensure that future development aligns with climate resilience. St. Maarten has participated in regional meetings and given interventions at the UN General Assembly, focusing on sustainability. However, the focus should shift towards action in terms of planning for climate change in a structural and efficient way, using local and regional expertise.
I’m not a fan of relying on The Netherlands to develop our national climate change adaptation strategies since many of them were unaware of the specific impacts of climate change on the Caribbean. This highlights the importance of developing strategies locally and regionally, where there is a better understanding of the challenges we face. I had also advocated for including St. Maarten in Greenpeace’s court case on behalf of the people of Bonaire, but at the time, it was difficult to do so.
So in terms of financing, The Netherlands, as the single largest emitter of greenhouse gases in our Kingdom and a major contributor to climate change, should be financially responsible for paying for the development of our strategies but should absolutely not be involved in developing them. This should go hand in hand with implementing sustainable financial mechanisms as we’ve been doing through the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund, developing blue carbon sequestration schemes for example, something I’ve worked on with CARICOM and OECS. This can provide a sustainable financial stream through carbon credits for ecosystem preservation and resilience projects.
And what long-term strategies?
Long-term strategies include a transition to renewable energy, specifically solar, to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and lower emissions. Expanding ecosystem-based adaptation and blue carbon sequestration initiatives can also provide sustainable financial streams through carbon credits for ecosystem preservation. Furthermore, the government should establish a robust policy framework for climate adaptation that emphasizes cross-sectoral integration, focusing on key areas such as water management, agriculture, and infrastructure resilience. It is also critical to involve private sector stakeholders and international donors to secure the necessary resources for these long-term strategies. But the first step is an adaptation and mitigation plan.
You’ve mentioned the collective hesitation to acknowledge the scale of the climate crisis. What role do you think public education and awareness campaigns should play in addressing this? How can ordinary citizens contribute to climate resilience?
Public education and awareness are essential in addressing the climate crisis. Citizens need to be informed about the risks posed by climate change and the actions they can take to mitigate its impacts. This will not only raise awareness but also foster a culture of responsibility and sustainability. I have always placed a strong emphasis on community involvement, as it is crucial for ensuring the success of any climate adaptation or mitigation plan. In St. Maarten, there is a notable lack of stakeholder consultation and community engagement, which must be addressed to gain buy-in from the population. Ordinary citizens can contribute by supporting ecosystem restoration efforts, reducing their carbon footprints, and advocating for stronger climate policies at the governmental level.
Source: The Peoples Tribune https://www.thepeoplestribunesxm.com
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