by Rachel Robinson

Created on: January 25, 2007   Last Updated: April 17, 2007

The entire world is under threat from climatic change. Climate change is caused by certain human activities leading to the release of gases such as carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. These gases form a dense layer around the earth which traps heat and prevents it from escaping back into space. This results in the steady warming of the earth and its seas.
"The 1990's have been the hottest decade on record and the vast majority of world's scientists agree that this change has been man-made, according to the Department of Trade and Industry who funds the Climate Change Projects Office. (www.saveenergy.co.uk)

The various impacts of climate change are likely to show themselves in different ways depending on local conditions. The Climatic Research Unit state that impacts include the effects of sea level rise on low lying countries such as The Maldives, temperatures of over forty degrees in areas such as The Mediterranean, decreased cloud coverage and increased exposure to the sun's harmful rays in Australia and less snowfall and shorter skiing seasons in resorts such as the Alps. (www.cru.uea.ac.uk)

A further impact of climate change has meant that "the frequency of climate related natural disasters has more than doubled between 1970's and 1990's" (www.earthfromair.com) due to the warming of the oceans.
Walsh and Ryan (2000) cited in Gorski Curry (2004) point out that "most climate simulations agree that global warming will enhance the frequency and intensity of hurricanes in the coming century."

The Caribbean and Florida were hit by four large hurricanes in quick succession during August and September 2004.
"Four major hurricanes in less than a month have scarred islands across the Caribbean and left billions of dollars in destruction, a crippling toll that will likely mean years of rebuilding" (www.guardian.co.uk) and "The back to back hurricanes have pummelled expensive oceanfront resorts, eroding sandy beaches and damaging hotels." (www.cnn.com)

Jayawardena (2002) states that "The Caribbean, as a single destination, usually ranks sixth in the world in terms of tourist receipts and tourism earnings account for approximately 25 percent of the region's gross domestic product (GDP)"
The tourism industry offers the Caribbean chance for prosperity and economic development.

Mather and Todd cited in Wilkinson (1997, p.2) feel that "there is probably no other region in the world in which tourism as a source of income, employment, hard currency earnings and economic growth has

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• Next Page >>