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Some of the participants in the CARIBSAVE Destinational Climate Change Worshop during yesterday’s session at the Hilton.

Climate Change can affect tourism

11/5/2009

By Randy Bennett

It is estimated that in the absence of adaptation actions, by 2018 the impact of climate change on CARICOM countries could cost in excess of 11.2 billion US dollars.

This startling fact was revealed by Minister of Tourism Richard Sealy during the CARIBSAVE Destinational Climate Change Workshop at the Barbados Hilton yesterday morning.

While delivering the welcome remarks, Minister Sealy noted that climate change has become an increasing worry around the world and especially in the Caribbean, the most tourist dependent region in the world.

“This is a very timely and ambitious project as it seeks to provide a sustained approach to addressing the challenges of climate change as it presents our national economies.

Climate change represents one of the greatest environmental threats facing our planet, and many see the threat of climate change greater than that of terrorism, as climate change has reached critical stages throughout the world.

The Caribbean region is the most tourist dependent region in the world, and our tourism industry is of particular concern for us.

The threat that climate change poses is very direct and very impact and it is not something that should just be left to be debated or discussed,” he added.

Sealy urged all Barbadians to play an active role in reducing climate change as it was everyone’s business and not just that of environmental groups and agencies.

“Dangerous climate change is occurring in all small islands and coastal developmental states including the Caribbean and many will cease to exist without urgent forms of action by international organisations.

"I therefore urge all Barbadians to take an interest in this increasingly dangerous development and do everything they can to combat this possible catastrophe.

"It is critical that we in the region continue to work in order to ensure sustainability of the tourist industry and also in the preservation of these islands.”

Indices

as of close 9/15/2009


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