During the second term of the 2024/2025 Academic Year, Cari-Bois partnered with the Scotiabank Foundation to empower ten (10) students with climate journalism skills as part of the third edition of Cari-Bois’ Youth Journalism Project. For their first assignment, students wrote an article about the effects of climate change on agriculture. This story was written by Jenissa Lawrence of Fyzabad Secondary School.
Did you know that your actions may be causing climate change and, in turn, affecting the agriculture that is needed to sustain us?
Climate change has detrimental consequences for food production in Trinidad and Tobago.
Climate change refers to long-term variations in temperatures and weather patterns, mainly caused by human actions.
Despite the fact that all countries around the world are being affected by climate change, Small Island Developing States (SIDS) like Trinidad and Tobago are amongst the most vulnerable.
For example, farmers are now prone to longer and harsher dry seasons which are then followed by torrential rainfall in the rainy seasons.
Both extremes can damage crops, disrupt irrigation and increase soil erosion.
Farmers in low-lying, coastal areas face a further disadvantage from coastal flooding when sea levels rise.
The saltwater which infiltrates coastal farmlands causes the soil to become less fertile, which makes it difficult to cultivate crops.
Climate change has not only affected crops.
Prolonged droughts and droughts conditions can dry grass upon which some animals may graze for food, which can affect livestock production.
In the scientific journal called Nature, a scientific article titled, “Extreme events induced by climate change alter nectar offer to pollinators in cross pollination-dependent crops,” highlighted that pollinating bees may not be able to effectively pollinate plants if they are severely damaged by extreme weather and this can affect the food web.
In Siparia, Trinidad, the agricultural activities at the WHYFARM Headquarters have been affected by climate change in recent years according to the farm’s founder and director, Alpha Sennon.
Sennon said unpredictable wet and dry seasons as well as the warmer temperatures and pests are some of the main challenges that he faces on his farm.
At Wa Samaki Ecosystems in Freeport, Trinidad, the farm’s manager, Erle Rahaman-Norunda, has taken steps to reduce the effects of his day-to-day activities on the global climate crisis.
At the farm, solar power is used expensively and permaculture principles are deployed to reduce the farm’s emissions and pollution.
Climate change must be taken seriously and the future of food security in Trinidad and Tobago will depend on the response today.
Stakeholders from decision-makers to farmers themselves must take action to become more climate-resilient.
Actions like conserving energy, using sustainable farming practices, reducing air pollution, reducing waste, recycling and conserving water are all climate conscious behaviours.
If climate change is not taken seriously, Trinidad and Tobago will become less food secure and people may not be able to continue having access to the fresh and nutritious fruits as well as vegetables that are essential for everyday life.
A very special thank you to the Scotiabank Foundation for supporting the development of young people through initiatives like the Cari-Bois Youth Journalism Project.
