The year 2013 was among the top ten warmest years since modern records began in 1850, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). Thirteen of the 14 warmest years on record have all occurred in the 21st century. The warmest years on record are 2010 and 2005.
According to the WMO, the global temperature for the year 2013 is consistent with the long term warming trend, and the rate of warming is not uniform but the underlying trend is undeniable. The WMO further adds that given the record amounts of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere, global temperatures will continue to rise for generations to come.
More than 90 per cent of the excess heat being caused by human activities is being absorbed by the ocean. The current pace of our action or inaction to curb heat-trapping gases according to the WMO will shape the state of our planet for our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
2014 is an election year, and voters should pay keen attention to the party program/manifesto that political parties should present to the voters prior to the elections. Climate change should be one of the top issues that the parliament and government should plan to tackle once sworn in to office.
Various countries and island-nations are taking a long-term approach to planning and protection in order to be able to support the sustainable development of their nation under climate change circumstances. This is the wise way to move, having a vision and planning ahead by introducing changes today in the way we do things as a community.
For example, a warmer climate could lead to greater use of air-conditioners and increase demand for energy. NV GEBE, our utility company will have to plan for this by investing in additional capacity which could be via renewable energy or the current generators that they already utilize, but there are also other ways to plan as well, by reducing the impact on energy demand, by encouraging environmentally friendly building designs (cooler and energy efficient) and increasing green cover to help cool surroundings.
A much warmer climate will create a very different world and one possibly less hospitable to human life. Higher temperatures – the 4th IPCC Assessment Report says, global average surface temperatures could rise by between 1.1 Celsius and 6.4 Celsius by the end of the 21st century – will result in a higher sea level of between 18 to 59 cm by the end of the century.
Besides the aforementioned, there will also be possible effects varying in severity for water resources due to changes in rainfall and snowfall patterns; more frequent and severe weather events like heavy rainfall and dry spells; loss of biodiversity and natural ecosystems; increased risk of seawater inundation and erosion in coastal areas; greater pressure on infrastructure such as water supply, drainage systems and coastal protection; as well as impact on public health, such as increased heat stress and spread of some infectious diseases.
The European Union (EU) is supporting Caribbean islands in their efforts to adapt and mitigate climate change at regional as well as national levels. The EU says failure to incorporate environmental planning as an integral part of national development will have disastrous consequences for countries and will increase the chances for climate-related disasters.
The future that we plan today is the legacy that will be left behind for our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Sint Maarten needs to decide because climate change poses the biggest threat to our livelihoods and our sustainability as a country. Green planning is the future and the way to move forward where country Sint Maarten becomes climate-resilient.
Roddy Heyliger