When you think of the Caribbean, you first think of tropical beaches, remote islands and blue water. But the Caribbean is not only a natural paradise, it is also one of the regions of the world hit hardest by the effects of climate change. The local residents have to acknowledge this fact and take action to adapt as well as possible. In my research I am hoping to identify which hurdles and challenges prevent the people in this region from doing so – and how these barriers can be overcome.

The Caribbean islands are already severely at risk from rising sea levels. Many areas are also exposed to the dangers of tropical storms, which sweep in over the ocean and are increasing in strength and frequency due to climate change. Several important sources of national income, such as tourism and agriculture, are also adversely effected by climate change and natural disasters. Financial and institutional limitations in the Caribbean make it difficult to adapt to climate change, if it is possible at all. However, these countries do not hold their future in their own hands. If, in the next few years, there is no substantial improvement in the climate protection targets of the major climate offenders such as China, the USA and Europe, global temperatures will exceed 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and many islands will reach the limits of their adaptability. Furthermore, there are fewer scientific studies in the Caribbean, and the delegations representing these countries at international committees, such as the UN conferences, are relatively small. They are therefore less able to assert their interests – despite the fact that they are very outspoken about their needs and have so far been hardest hit.
In fact, I had hoped to be travelling in the region during my PhD, carrying out field work and talking to numerous people. Due to the corona pandemic, I had to change my plans and now primarily work online, conducting surveys, interviews and workshops online and going through the specialist literature. I am still trying to speak to as many stakeholders from the 15 member states of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) as possible. My interview partners are from regional organisations, which raise funds and implement protection projects, environmental authorities and research institutions.

From the interviews and literature so far, it is clear that the financial hurdles are the most significant for the Caribbean states. Perhaps this is not surprising - without sufficient financial means it is always difficult to offset the consequences of climate change. My surveys also show, though, that there is a lack of data behind this as well. If the requests for finances were supported with sufficient scientific data, it would be easier for all local stakeholders to raise funds. Indeed, there are funding projects that specifically focus on developing countries, for example the Green Climate Fund, but access to these can often be difficult. It is the aim of my dissertation to analyse and understand these mechanisms at the regional level, and find ways around them.
What a successful adaptation by the Caribbean states might look like is difficult to say, and also dependent on the individual national context. Cultivation practices in agriculture will need to change to ensure a good harvest. The fishing industry is also badly affected. Alternative livelihoods for local residents will therefore need to be found. Every one of the 40 million citizens if affected by climate change.

When I began engaging with the topic of climate change as a researcher, I was shocked by many of the facts. Even if we produce no more greenhouse gasses from today on, the climate will continue to change and we must adapt to this. It hits the poorest countries particularly hard, which actually contribute the least to climate change. It is important to understand what measures can be taken to mitigate the impacts of the climate crisis. Otherwise, many regions in the Caribbean, and elsewhere, will become uninhabitable.

However, there have been recent developments that do give rise to hope. The Fridays for Future movement, for instance, gives me fortitude. The issue is being taken to the streets and large numbers of people, as well as the political sector, are finally taking notice. I also take part in the demonstrations myself as often as possible. Furthermore, in 2020, China set ambitious climate goals for the future, and the results of the US election are reassuring. All of this raises hope that timely and ambitious action will be taken.