Handbook on Climate Change for Caribbean Journalists
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Table of Contents
List of Abbreviations and Acronyms………………………………………………… vii
List of Figures………………………………………………………………………….. viii
List of Tables…………………………………………………………………………… ix
Foreword…………………………………………………………………………….….. xi
Preface…………………………………………………………………………………. xii
1.0 What is Climate Change?……………………………………………………… 1
1.1 Weather and Climate Defined…………………………………………… 1
1.2 Climate Change Defined…………………………………………………. 1
1.3 Contentions about Climate Change…………………………………….. 3
2.0 Examples of How Climate Change is Manifesting Itself…………………. 5
2.1 Global surface temperatures have increased over the 20th century… 5
2.2 The decline of winter – snow cover and ice extent have decreased.. 6
2.3 Global average sea level has risen and ocean heat content has
increased…………………………………………………………………... 6
2.4 More frequent and intense extreme weather events…………………. 6
2.5 Evidence in small island developing states……………………………. 8
2.6 Other noteworthy changes in aspects of climate……………………… 9
2.7 Climate-induced changes………………………………………………… 9
3.0 Anthropogenic Issues Compounding the Climate Change Crisis……... 9
3.1 Deforestation……………………………………………………………… 9
3.2 Pollution…………………………………………………………………… 10
3.3 Unplanned Development and Social Pressures………………………. 11
3.4 Unsustainable Farming Practices………………………………………. 11
4.0 Global Climate Change Projections…………………………………………. 11
5.0 Caribbean Challenges to Climate Change…………………………………. 12
5.1 Inherent Vulnerabilities to Climate Change…………………………… 15
5.2 Regional Projections of Climate Change – The Caribbean…………. 16
6.0 Country-by-Country Guide to Climate Change Issues and Concerns... 17
6.1 Antigua and Barbuda…………………………………………………….. 17
6.2 The Bahamas…………………………………………………………….. 18
6.3 Barbados………………………………………………………………….. 18
6.4 Belize………………………………………………………………………. 19
6.5 Dominica………………………………………………………………….. 19
6.6 Grenada…………………………………………………………………… 20
...vi...
6.7 Guyana…………………………………………………………………… 20
6.8 Jamaica………………………………………………………………….. 20
6.9 Saint Lucia………………………………………………………………. 23
6.10 St Kitts and Nevis…………………………………………………..…. 24
6.11 St Vincent and the Grenadines………………………………………. 24
6.12 Trinidad and Tobago………………………………………………….. 24
7.0 Global Conventions and Responses………………………………………. 28
7.1 The Evolution of the Climate Change Convention………………….. 28
7.2 The Provisions of the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change (UNFCCC)…………………………………………… 30
7.3 Climate Change Negotiating Groups…………………………………. 31
7.4 The Kyoto Protocol……………………………………………………… 35
7.5 The Concerns and Issues with the Kyoto Protocol………………….. 37
7.6 The Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate… 39
8.0 Caribbean Response to Adaptation: Planning and Policy……………… 39
8.1 Caribbean Planning for Adaptation to Global Climate Change
(CPACC)………..…………………………………………………………. 40
8.2 Adapting to Climate Change in the Caribbean (ACCC)……………… 42
8.3 Mainstreaming Adaptation to Climate Change (MACC)……………… 43
8.4 The Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC)…….. 44
9.0 Regional and National Success Stories and Actions……………………. 46
10.0 Remedial Actions: What Can We Do – Individual and Collective
Good Practices……………………………………………………………….. 47
11.0 Frequently Asked Questions about Climate Change………………….. 48
12.0 Regional Climate Change Resource Centre…………………………….. 52
12.1 Climate Change Resource Persons…………………………………. 52
12.2 Regional Institutions…………………………………………………… 55
12.3 Important Websites……………………………………………………. 56
References…………………………………………………………………………… 57
Glossary of Terms…………………………………………………………………… 60