During the first 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 second edition of Cari-Bois’ Youth Journalism Project. For their first assignment, students had the opportunity to research the effects of climate change on either Trinidad and Tobago or the Caribbean and write a story. This story was written by Josh Latchman of Williamsville Secondary School.
Like much of the Caribbean, Trinidad and Tobago is severely impacted by climate change.
Sea level rise is one effect of climate change that impacts coastal communities, their economies and ecosystems.
Understanding Sea Level Rise
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s website states the major causes of global sea level rise are thermal expansion caused by warming of the ocean (since water expands as it warms) and increased melting of land-based ice like glaciers and ice sheets.
Human activities, especially the burning of fossil fuels, have increased the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere like carbon dioxide which traps heat and raises the Earth’s average temperature.
Rising global temperatures melt Arctic and Antarctic ice which increases the volume of water in the earth’s oceans while warming water expands.
Over time, increasing sea levels pose a risk to coastal homes, businesses and vulnerable ecosystems.
Sea Level Rise in Trinidad and Tobago
Communities in southeast Trinidad, like Manzanilla and Mayaro, were once popular beach destinations with their sandy beaches that attracted locals and tourists.
But over the years, shoreline has retracted as rough and rising sea erodes the short and encroaches inland.
Apart from the natural Geography of Trinidad’s eastern coast, rising sea levels due to climate change is also one factor for the retracting shoreline.
Once a bustling area for fishermen and families, Mayaro’s beach now leaves homes and roads perilously close to the sea.
This has prompted authorities to spend millions of dollars on upgrading infrastructure and sea defenses.
How climate change affects Tobago’s coral reefs
Tobago’s coral reefs are natural attractions that attract tourists and support local fisheries.
These reefs are essential for protecting coastlines from erosion and storm surges.
However, rising sea temperatures have led to widespread coral bleaching, transforming vibrant ecosystems into white, dying skeletons.
Coral bleaching diminishes the ecological value of these ecosystems, harm marine biodiversity, and reduces their ability to shield coastlines from the impact of waves and storms.
The connection between climate change and coastal flooding
Over time, there has been an increase in the flooding of low-lying coastal areas across Trinidad and Tobago with images of the sea encroaching the land often going viral on social media after storm events.
The Gulf of Paria can be used as an example of this trend as rising sea levels combined with heavier rainfall have caused widespread damage and displacement in the coastal communities along the Gulf.
Climate mitigation and adaptation a priority for Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago continue to be at the forefront of the global climate crisis and the effects of the phenomenon are expected to worsen if current climate trends continue.
To address these challenges, the country must adapt to its changing how it cares for the natural environment and contribute to global greenhouse gas reduction efforts.
Investments must be made in strengthening the climate resilience of coastal communities by building defenses and recognizing the need for climate resilience.
But these measures alone are insufficient without coordinated global action to combat climate change.
While climate change may have felt like a distant concern, it is now a pressing issue that calls for immediate and sustained action.
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.
