分类： environment

As the Caribbean enters its annual Saharan dust season, regional meteorologists are sounding the alarm over a shifting pattern: significant dust outbreaks from the Sahara Desert are now arriving earlier than historical records indicate, and overall transatlantic dust transport has climbed to sustained high levels that threaten public health across the region.

Last week, thick plumes of Saharan dust already disrupted daily life across Barbados, hitting residents with pre-existing respiratory conditions particularly hard. For context, this pervasive weather phenomenon develops when dry mineral dust particles swept from the Sahara Desert are carried across the Atlantic by trade winds, lingering in the atmosphere over the Americas and Caribbean. The suspended particles drastically cut visibility, usually dropping it below 10 kilometers, and leave the sky looking milky, opaque, or faintly discolored.

Dr. Andrea Sealy, regional chair for the Americas at the World Meteorological Organisation’s Sand and Dust Storm Warning Advisory and Assessment System and a researcher based at the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH), laid out the changing timeline of these events in an interview with Barbados Today on the sidelines of a medical education conference held in Bridgetown Sunday.

“What we’re seeing now, coming into April and early May, is far more dust than this region has historically seen this time of year,” Sealy explained. “In previous decades, the major significant dust outbreaks wouldn’t arrive until late May or even June. We’ve clearly observed a shift in the timing of severe events, and over the long term, the total volume of dust moving across the Atlantic has increased substantially.”

Continued satellite monitoring of West Africa’s coast confirms that large dust plumes are still regularly launching out over the Atlantic, feeding the ongoing hazy conditions across the eastern Caribbean. After a brief lull in dust levels earlier this week, concentrations are already climbing again. Sealy noted that while concentrations may dip temporarily in coming days, more significant dust outbreaks are likely through the coming weeks, marking 2024 as an unusually dusty season so far.

Beyond the shifting patterns of dust events, Sealy also acknowledged a key gap in public outreach: climate and weather advisories related to poor air quality do not always reach vulnerable communities effectively, though CIMH is working to improve communication channels. The institute coordinates closely with global and local health authorities to develop evidence-based guidance: when particulate concentrations cross safe thresholds set by the World Health Organization, officials advise against prolonged outdoor activity or strenuous exercise, particularly for sensitive groups. Still, Sealy emphasized that clinical health providers remain the best source of detailed personalized guidance for at-risk residents.

In addition to improving forecasting and public communication, CIMH is working to expand air quality monitoring infrastructure across the entire Caribbean region. At the center of this effort is a long-running dust monitoring station operated in partnership with the University of Miami at Ragged Point, on Barbados’ eastern coast. This year, the station marks 60 consecutive years of continuous dust measurements, earning it the distinction of being the oldest continuously operating dust observation site in the world.

This unparalleled decades-long dataset has turned Barbados into one of the most critical global hubs for Saharan dust research, and the data has already vastly improved CIMH’s forecasting abilities. Sealy reported that CIMH’s regional forecasting model accurately predicted last week’s major dust outbreak, and it consistently delivers reliable predictions of incoming events up to five days in advance, including estimates of the concentration of dust that can be expected when a plume arrives.

The expanded monitoring network will prioritize tracking harmful fine particulate matter, known as PM2.5 and PM10 — particles with diameters between 2.5 and 10 microns, roughly 30 times smaller than the average human hair, which can penetrate deep into the respiratory tract and cause severe health complications. To build out the network, CIMH is combining two types of sensors: high-precision reference-grade instruments that deliver the most accurate measurements for regulatory and research use, and more affordable consumer sensors from the PurpleAir network that can be deployed in far more locations.

While the lower-cost PurpleAir sensors are not as accurate as reference equipment, they are able to capture reliable trend data on air quality, and the public will be able to access real-time data from these sensors once the network is deployed. The end goal, Sealy explained, is to build a comprehensive monitoring system that meets the Caribbean’s growing need for accurate, accessible air quality measurement, monitoring, assessment and forecasting as dust events become more frequent and more intense.

On the occasion of World Environment Day, new findings from a UNICEF-commissioned survey have laid bare a critical disconnect across the Eastern Caribbean: while a large share of the region’s young people are passionate about building careers in the fast-growing green and circular economy, deep gaps in accessible information, skills training, and open opportunities are keeping them from turning that ambition into action. The survey, carried out in 2023 across four island nations – Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, and Saint Lucia – was formally presented at the UN House in Bridgetown, with its full report titled *Young People’s Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices on Climate Change and Green and Circular Economies in the Eastern Caribbean*. Research organizers confirmed that while the overwhelming majority of respondents demonstrated clear awareness of climate change and a strong desire to contribute to regional climate solutions, multiple structural barriers continue to block their entry into green career paths. “The most encouraging takeaway from this work is that young people are already ready to be part of the solution,” explained Maryam Abdu, UNICEF’s acting representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, during the presentation of findings. “So many are actively seeking green jobs and specialized training, but systemic hurdles stand in their way. The largest gap by far is accessible information – and information is power, especially in today’s fast-moving digital era. Beyond that, many young people report that training programs and open job roles are out of reach, with opportunities feeling unevenly distributed and nearly inaccessible for most.” The study’s results also underscored a widespread demand among youth for greater inclusion in climate policy decision-making, as well as targeted support to smooth their transition into green and circular economy roles. Abdu called on regional stakeholders to ramp up investment in youth development and meaningful inclusion, arguing that meaningful climate action cannot succeed without centering young people. “When we expand access to information, training, and new opportunities, that also means young people deserve a seat at the table, not just a chance to be consulted,” she said. “You are not just the future – you are the leaders of today. This work is not just about sharing data; it is about taking collective action.” Abdu added that the study’s findings should serve as a roadmap for policy updates and program rollout across every Eastern Caribbean nation. “Let us use these insights to first improve our policy frameworks, then strengthen programs that directly support young people and address climate impacts,” she noted. “We need to tear down the barriers holding them back and build tangible, accessible opportunities for Caribbean youth. If we want young people to succeed – and we absolutely do – we have to make sure the skills they learn align with the jobs of the future.” Brian Bogart, country leader for the World Food Programme (WFP) in the region, echoed Abdu’s remarks, noting that young people across the Caribbean are already informed, engaged, and prepared to contribute to climate action – but regional institutions have not kept pace with their ambitions. “Across the region, the United Nations is growing a portfolio of youth-focused initiatives tied to climate action and the transition to circular, blue, and green economies,” Bogart explained. “In Barbados alone, young leaders are already actively involved in national climate policy processes, contributing directly to national climate plans and national climate financing frameworks. Climate action summits have also created critical spaces for meaningful youth participation. Through programs like the Green Rising initiative, our goal is to equip more than 5,000 young people with the core skills needed for green and blue economy careers, while supporting youth-led innovation and entrepreneurship.” Even with this expanding support, Bogart emphasized that long-standing structural barriers continue to limit full youth participation in the green economy. He stressed that stronger, more intentional connections between education systems, skills training, and employment outlets are urgently needed to close gaps. “This means expanding access to hands-on opportunities: apprenticeships, internships, and certification programs that deliver real-world experience and open doors to long-term careers,” he said. “It also requires making information about these opportunities clear, accessible, and co-designed with young people themselves. Young people are not just asking to be told what opportunities exist – they are asking to be included, to be equipped with the skills they need, and to play a meaningful role in shaping their own futures.” Michele Small-Bartley, CARICOM’s Programme Manager for Youth Development, noted that the regional bloc’s updated CARICOM Youth Development Action Plan already provides a strong foundational framework for advancing youth participation and climate resilience across all member states. “This plan calls for greater coordination, more inclusive processes, and an evidence-based approach to youth development across the region,” she explained. “It prioritizes youth participation, employability, leadership, resilience, well-being, and institutional strengthening – all priorities that align directly with the findings from this UNICEF study. We continue to work closely with member states and partner organizations to build a stronger enabling environment for youth development across the Caribbean.” Small-Bartley added that the study’s findings reinforce the urgent need for more robust systems and accountability mechanisms to support youth entering the green economy. “We are advancing the CARICOM youth development governance structure and a regional youth development index, because we know that good intentions are not enough,” she said. “We need formal systems, we need solid data, we need cross-stakeholder coordination, clear accountability, and structured mechanisms that lift youth voices from just being consulted to being full participants in decision-making and action.” She closed by emphasizing that the goal of regional efforts should not just be to prepare young people to participate in green and circular economies – but to empower them to lead those sectors in the decades ahead.

Barbados has emerged as a regional leader in prioritizing climate resilience and advancing climate-friendly investments across government and community levels, but a new UNICEF-commissioned study has uncovered a critical gap: the island’s young people trail their peers across the Eastern Caribbean in awareness of green and circular economy opportunities. The research, which examined youth engagement across four island nations — Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, and St. Lucia — was officially released on World Environment Day during a public presentation focused on youth perspectives on climate action. Titled “Young People’s Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices on Climate Change and Green and Circular Economies in the Eastern Caribbean”, the project was designed to create an evidence base for building more inclusive climate programs that center young people’s needs and input.

Lead researcher Professor Dwayne Devonish explained that while Barbados’ significant investments in climate resilience have gained international recognition, there is a clear disconnect between these top-level efforts and youth understanding of how young people can participate in related sectors. Contrary to common assumptions, this gap is not rooted in a lack of interest among Barbadian youth, but rather in how information about green and circular economy opportunities is communicated. “Many young people we spoke to acknowledged that the government is moving forward with climate-ready investments, but they consistently reported that the information provided is not framed in accessible language for their age group,” Devonish noted in remarks to reporters following the findings’ presentation at UN House in Bridgetown.

Focus group discussions conducted as part of the study revealed clear demands from Barbadian youth: they want more accessible information about green career pathways, paid internships, and skills training programs in sustainable sectors. Within the national education system, many respondents called for updated curricula that explicitly break down what green and circular economy activities entail, and map out clear routes for young people to enter these fields through education, work experience, and professional development. “What young people are asking for is for these investments to be made tangible for them,” Devonish said. “They want opportunities they can actually access, explained in terms they can actually understand.”

The study also offered a useful point of comparison: Dominica, which outperformed Barbados on metrics of youth awareness and engagement, owes its stronger results to two key factors. Beyond the fact that Dominica has faced more frequent and severe climate-fueled natural disasters that put climate issues at the forefront of public life, the Dominica government has also pursued more consistent, aggressive outreach and programming to embed climate action across all levels of society. “Frequent exposure to disasters naturally makes climate issues more personal for young people, but it is also the government’s consistent response that has driven higher engagement,” Devonish explained. Too often in Barbados, he noted, large-scale climate investments and technical projects are led exclusively by senior experts and specialists, with no structured plan to pass knowledge and opportunities down to younger generations. That missing link between national investment and youth participation has resulted in lower buy-in, even among young people who care deeply about climate action.

UNICEF’s social and behaviour change specialist Dr. Lisa McClean-Trotman said the organization will now support Eastern Caribbean governments to develop new social and behaviour change strategies in response to the study’s findings. These strategies will need to go beyond simple awareness-raising, she emphasized, to address the structural barriers that prevent young people from participating in climate action and green economy sectors. “The findings for Barbados were somewhat unexpected, but they do not mean that Barbadian youth are disengaged or uninterested in climate issues,” McClean-Trotman stressed. She pointed out that much of the gap may stem from terminology: young people may understand concepts like recycling or sustainable job creation, but do not recognize the academic jargon of “green economy” or “circular economy” that officials and experts often use.

“Barbados has done strong work to build public awareness of climate change overall, but we need to adjust how we frame these messages for younger audiences,” she said. “We have to pivot to use language that resonates with young people, terms and examples that they can relate to and connect with their own lives.”

Barbados’ iconic Caribbean beaches are facing an unprecedented environmental crisis, with unseasonal coastal erosion accelerating across the entire island at a time when shorelines should be naturally rebuilding ahead of hurricane season, the country’s leading coastal management official has warned.

Dr. Leo Brewster, director of Barbados’ Coastal Zone Management Unit (CZMU), told local media the unusual erosion is being driven by a massive, off-schedule pulse of low-density freshwater from South America’s two largest river systems — the Amazon and the Orinoco. This so-called “green water” forms a buoyant layer on top of denser saltwater, artificially raising overall sea levels around the island far beyond what would be expected at this time of year.

“The whole island is being impacted by what people will be seeing as out-of-season erosion,” Brewster explained. “This is happening at a time when the beaches should actually be building now, after the Easter swell period and going into the hurricane season. Because of this excessive water, we’re getting more wave activity on the beach face and therefore greater penetration inland, and some areas have been hit very hard.”

The timing of the green water event has caught coastal scientists off guard. While discharges of Amazon and Orinoco freshwater into the Caribbean are a natural recurring regional phenomenon, they typically follow a predictable seasonal pattern, occurring either in the early year rainy season or between August and September. The arrival of this large pulse in the pre-hurricane rebuilding window is highly irregular, Brewster emphasized, marking a sharp break from historical environmental patterns that has compounded longstanding concerns over climate change and unregulated coastal development.

Local residents and tourists have already reported alarming shoreline retreat at popular recreational sites including Worthing Beach, where significant stretches of sand have disappeared in recent weeks. The crisis comes on the heels of recent public uproar over “brown water” discoloration at Carlisle Bay, a popular tourist beach that many have linked to sediment runoff from the construction of the luxury Fort Carlisle condominium development. That incident has reignited fierce public debate over whether high-end coastal development is being allowed to encroach too close to Barbados’ already fragile shorelines, putting both ecosystems and infrastructure at long-term risk.

When asked about the island’s regulatory framework for coastal construction, Brewster clarified that while the CZMU maintains strict mandatory setback requirements to protect shoreline ecosystems, final planning decisions rest with higher government authorities, and developers regularly seek exceptions to reduce the required distance between new builds and the water. “Some properties, as part of their application process, ask for reduced setbacks,” he said. “Of course, the coastal zone management unit has a policy for setback requirements and we try to adhere to those as best we can. Whatever happens after we have sent forward our recommendations is at a planning level.”

Coastal management challenges have been further intensified in the wake of Hurricane Beryl, which tore through the region earlier this year leaving widespread destruction to coastal infrastructure. In the storm’s aftermath, hundreds of shoreline property owners in high-end areas including Payne’s Bay and Gibbs have rushed to erect makeshift boulder barricades to protect their land from further erosion. While the public has raised complaints about the unregulated structures blocking public beach access, Brewster noted that property owners are legally permitted to install emergency protective measures when existing sea walls fail under the island’s current legislation. Authorities require that rebuilt structures remain within the original footprint of existing sea defenses to avoid expanding coastal encroachment.

However, Brewster warned that enforcement of these rules remains a persistent challenge due to the dynamic nature of the island’s shorelines. “What you may find is that some persons do try to come forward, or through the use of the boulders that they’re building, the actual base of the structure comes further seaward than it ought to,” he said. “We try to correct that after it’s discovered, but sometimes they may be buried with sand through the natural recovery of the beach. It would only be then exposed again during rough seas, or they can become permanently exposed because the beach has not been able to recover due to the placement of the boulders.”

For a small island nation whose economy is heavily dependent on pristine coastal tourism, the accelerating off-season erosion has raised urgent new questions about how Barbados will adapt to shifting climate patterns and balance development interests with long-term environmental protection.