Projected Sea Level Rise May Cause Several Districts to be Flooded by 2063
Photocaption: Map of St. Maarten now and Map of St. Maarten in fifty years (credit Floodmap.org/ NASA)
From January to November 2013 the St. Maarten Nature Foundation has been compiling a control plan to combat the effects of climate change to the coastal and nearshore environments of the country.
This document is constructed as a plans of approach regarding the tackling of the effects global warming will have on the Marine and Coastal Zone Ecosystem of St. Maarten. This plan gives an overview of the causes and threats posed by Global Warming to the Marine and Coastal Zones, Parameters for Monitoring and Recording those threats and possible mitigating suggestions to the effects caused by Climate Change to the Coastal and Marine Environment, which are the ecosystems and population centers most greatly affected by Climate Change.
From the mid-19th to the beginning of the 21st century, the air temperature at the earth’s surface increased by between 0.6 and 0.8°C, and this warming is expected to accelerate during the current century if mitigating measures are not put in place. The sea plays a key role in limiting this process as more than 80% of the heat absorbed by the planet accumulates in the world’s oceans.
For St. Maarten Climate Change will bring with it serious consequences, particularly with regards to sea level rise, ocean acidification, invasive species and coral bleaching. It is estimated that by 2073 various districts on the island including Great Bay, Simpson Bay and Cole Bay will be submerged if current estimated sea level rise continues. The report outlines suggestions for mitigating the effects climate change will have on the country and outlines plans of action for addressing the issues climate change will bring with it.
St. Maarten, as a Small island developing State, is particularly vulnerable to climate change, climate variability and sea-level rise. The population of small islands like St. Maarten tends to have their population and infrastructure concentrated in the coastal zone and any rise in sea-level will have significant and profound effects on the economy and living conditions. The St. Maarten Nature Foundation hopes that, with this report, some measures can be taken to alleviate the stress climate change will have on St. Maarten.