Climate Change and Achieving Caribbean Sustainable Development

Abstract

Dr. Smith gets straight to the point. Achieving sustainable development requires understanding the linkages within ecosystems and how they support or constrain human development. Improving human development without exceeding planetary boundaries is critical as exceeding such boundaries risks irreversible changes with serious impacts on human development. Dr. Smith presses further by stating that unfortunately, the planetary boundaries for atmospheric CO2, biodiversity extinctions, flows of phosphorus and nitrogen, and global forest cover have already been exceeded. This means that we need to take action to reverse those aforementioned factors to safe levels. Science can help manage our impact on the planet and science plays a vital role in attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Resilience, resilience, resilience! The Caribbean must transform many of its economies, ecosystems and development with climate change in mind. Without strong systems in place, climate change will make easy work of our already fragile region. Human capital is key. Education must play a core role in development and the World Bank indicates that human capacity building is critical to strengthen economic resources and mobility. Dr. Smith ends on a note of caution, stating that research must be directed into problem solving, working to disseminate scientific findings to catalyse effective change. “Climate change is a wicked problem” and all hands need to be on deck.