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Climate change

The Warnings Before the Storm: Island Nations Speak Out Against Climate Change

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

As Hurricane Melissa devastates the Caribbean, island nations have been warning about the dangers of climate change for years, but their pleas for help have largely fallen on deaf ears. The storm, which packed winds of almost 185 m.p.h., has caused catastrophic damage to Jamaica, Cuba, and Haiti, leaving nearly three-quarters of Jamaica without power and over a third of the population without access to basic needs.

Wealthy countries have repeatedly failed to meet their pledges to fund adaptation efforts, despite the island nations being least responsible for greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change. Since Donald Trump's election, the United States has stopped providing nearly any funding for preparedness and recovery to other countries.

Island states around the world have invested trillions of dollars in climate resilience, but their efforts are hindered by the need to repay debts incurred after disasters. The International Monetary Fund has estimated that the region needs around $100 billion to invest in climate resilience. "Our countries don't have the luxury to become more resilient to climate change," said Michai Robertson, a senior adviser to the Alliance of Small Island States. "The reality is that it could all be wiped out."

Key Takeaways:

  • Hurricane Melissa packs winds of almost 185 m.p.h. and has caused catastrophic damage to Jamaica, Cuba, and Haiti.
  • Island nations have been warning about the dangers of climate change for years, but their pleas for help have largely fallen on deaf ears.
  • Wealthy countries have repeatedly failed to meet their pledges to fund adaptation efforts, despite the island nations being least responsible for greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change.
  • Since Donald Trump's election, the United States has stopped providing nearly any funding for preparedness and recovery to other countries.
  • Island states around the world have invested trillions of dollars in climate resilience, but their efforts are hindered by the need to repay debts incurred after disasters.
  • The International Monetary Fund has estimated that the region needs around $100 billion to invest in climate resilience.
  • The world's poorest countries, including those in the Caribbean, are expected to bear the brunt of climate change.
  • A recent U.N. report estimated that developing countries need over $1 trillion per year to move their economies away from fossil fuels and adapt to climate changes.

Statistics:

  • Hurricane Melissa caused catastrophic damage to Jamaica, Cuba, and Haiti, leaving nearly three-quarters of Jamaica without power and over a third of the population without access to basic needs.
  • The International Monetary Fund has estimated that the region needs around $100 billion to invest in climate resilience.
  • Wealthy countries have agreed to double their climate adaptation aid to at least $40 billion annually by 2025.
  • The U.S. has provided around $3.1 billion in climate adaptation aid for 2023.
  • Over $77 billion in damage was caused by Hurricane Irma in 2017 across the Caribbean and South Florida.

Sources:

  • "The nightmare scenario unfolded in the Caribbean this week."
  • "We still don’t know the full scope of the catastrophe, or whether this storm was intensified by climate change, but we do know that greenhouse gas emissions have fueled warmer seas and bigger storms." (The New York Times, no date)
  • "Island nations have been pleading for more help for years, warning that they face impending disaster." (The New York Times, no date)
  • "The International Monetary Fund has said the region needs to invest about $100 billion in this kind of climate resilience." (The New York Times, no date)
  • "Our countries don’t have the luxury to become more resilient to climate change." (Michai Robertson, quoted in The New York Times, no date)
  • "The world’s poorest countries, including those in the Caribbean, are expected to bear the brunt of climate change." (The New York Times, no date)
  • "A recent U.N. report estimated that developing countries need over $1 trillion per year to move their economies away from fossil fuels and adapt to climate changes." (The New York Times, no date)

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