分类： environment

Brace for water shortage due to extreme hot weather, say forecasters

On August 3, 2026, Guyana’s national Hydrometeorological Service (Hydromet) issued an urgent official warning, cautioning residents across the South American nation that the strengthening El Niño climate pattern will trigger an extended period of extreme heat through much of the rest of the year, raising the threat of severe, widespread water shortages.

El Niño, a recurring climate phenomenon defined by unusual warming of surface waters across the central and eastern equatorial Pacific alongside weakened trade winds, is the core driver behind the forecasted extreme conditions. Hydromet’s latest seasonal climate outlook projects a dramatic spike in the number of extreme hot spell days for 2026, a sharp deviation from the country’s historical climate averages. While Guyana normally records a maximum of 30 hot spell days in a full year, the updated forecast predicts the total could reach as high as 80 this year, with the most intense heat concentrated between August and at least October 2026.

Hydromet defines a hot spell as a consecutive stretch of two or more days of record-breaking extreme temperatures. The agency confirmed that every region across Guyana will see fewer rainy days than the long-term average, with both daytime and overnight temperatures remaining well above normal seasonal benchmarks. The highest frequency of extreme hot days is expected to impact five key regions: Demerara-Mahaica (Region 4), Mahaica-West Berbice (Region 5), East Berbice-Corentyne (Region 6), Potaro-Siparuni (Region 8) and Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice (Region 10). Hinterland and remote vulnerable communities will face the most acute risks from the extended dry period, which will cut access to reliable water supplies for residential use, agricultural production and other core economic activities.

The ripple effects of the prolonged heat and drought will extend across nearly every major sector of Guyana’s economy and public life. For the agricultural industry, reduced rainfall and sustained high temperatures will leave crops suffering from critical moisture stress, degrade the quality of grazing pasture, and increase water demand for livestock herds. In forested and savannah regions, parched vegetation combined with record high temperatures will drastically raise the risk of uncontrolled bush and forest fires.

The transportation sector will also face significant disruptions: lowered river water levels will impede inland river navigation in many areas, interrupting the movement of residents, commercial goods and essential public services. Unpaved rural roads will become extremely dusty as dry conditions persist, cutting driver visibility and raising road safety risks. While Hydromet did not forecast widespread power outages, the agency noted that sustained extreme heat will push up electricity demand, as households and businesses ramp up use of air conditioning and cooling systems, placing extra strain on the country’s national power grid.

Public health and education systems are also bracing for impacts. Sustained extreme heat will increase discomfort in school classrooms and raise the risk of heat-related illness among students. For public health, prolonged exposure to extreme high temperatures is projected to increase cases of dehydration, heat exhaustion and life-threatening heat stroke, with children, older adults, people with pre-existing chronic medical conditions, and outdoor workers facing the highest vulnerability.

In response to the forecast, Hydromet has issued a comprehensive set of public advisories to help residents and communities prepare for the extreme conditions. The agency urges the public to stay consistently hydrated, practice ongoing water conservation throughout the extended dry period, limit strenuous outdoor activity between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. when temperatures peak, and wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing to reduce heat absorption. It also called on education authorities to ensure all schools maintain adequate supplies of safe drinking water, and to prioritize heat safety protocols for students and staff. To reduce wildfire risk, the public has been warned to avoid any activity that could spark unintended fires, including open burning of waste or vegetation. Farmers are advised to closely monitor crop and livestock conditions and ensure consistent access to high-quality water for their operations.

Hydromet emphasized that even though El Niño brings overall warmer and drier conditions to Guyana, periods of heavy rainfall remain possible during the forecast period. The agency confirmed it will continue ongoing monitoring of evolving climate conditions and will issue regular, timely updates to support community preparedness and help public and private stakeholders make informed adaptation decisions.

4 8 月, 2026
Belize Faces Power Pressure as Mexico’s Grid Struggles

Dated August 3, 2026, this report examines a growing energy security crisis rippling across Central America, where Mexico’s struggling national power grid has left neighboring Belize facing growing risks of blackouts and spiking energy costs for residential and commercial consumers.

For decades, Belize has structured its national energy mix around three core sources: imported electricity from Mexico, domestic fossil fuel generation, and locally produced renewable energy, all overseen by the national utility Belize Electricity Limited (BEL). But in recent years, this long-standing model has fractured, as Mexico confronts a deepening domestic energy crisis driven by overlapping climate and infrastructure challenges.

Lynn Young, Executive Chairman of BEL, explained that climate change has amplified strain on energy systems on both sides of the border. Rising average temperatures driven by global climate change have triggered a surge in electricity demand, as households and businesses ramp up air conditioning use to cope with extreme heat. “They have been having similar challenges to us with the challenges brought on by climate change,” Young noted in an interview. “That’s something that happens everywhere. It’s happening in Mexico too, so they are having challenges meeting the demand. And when they have the challenges, then sometimes they can’t supply us.”

While Mexico has begun developing new gas-fired generation facilities to close the supply gap, the projects have faced persistent delays linked to fuel supply shortages. Young acknowledged that these infrastructure upgrades will take years to reach full operation, leaving Belize vulnerable to unreliable imported power through the medium term.

The crisis extends beyond supply reliability: as Mexico’s domestic demand outpaces supply, the cost of imported electricity has jumped sharply, passing higher expenses directly to Belizean consumers. Rosanety Barrios, an independent energy consultant based in Mexico, confirmed that the crisis has escalated steadily in recent years. She emphasized that Mexico’s core issue is a long-standing shortage of energy infrastructure that has slowed broader economic growth, as industrial investors avoid the country over concerns about consistent power access. “We have a problem with insufficient infrastructure,” Barrios explained. “On top of that, of course, demand normally rises every year as a result of both a growing population and let’s say, the heat, which is becoming an increasingly significant factor worldwide.”

With Mexico’s crisis showing no near-term resolution, Belize has floated the idea of diversifying its foreign energy imports by adding Guatemala as a second supplier. Early exploratory talks between the two nations have already begun, and preliminary feasibility studies are being funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). But Young warned that a cross-border transmission connection with Guatemala is not a quick fix. “Just the studies alone might take another year or two before we come up with what’s the right size transmission lines, and then you have to start negotiating commercial agreements, not to mention the country level political aspect of it,” Young said. “So that’s gonna take a while before we can do that.”

Instead, BEL is focusing on a long-term domestic strategy to reduce Belize’s dependence on foreign power. The utility is moving forward with plans to scale up local solar energy generation and accelerate development of other domestic energy resources, with the explicit goal of cutting reliance on costly, unreliable imports from Mexico. Young acknowledged that Belizean consumers are already feeling the financial pressure of higher monthly electricity bills, but he expressed optimism that targeted investments in domestic energy will deliver lower, more stable costs for households within the next several years. This report from Britney Gordon aired for News Five, Belize’s leading evening news broadcast.

4 8 月, 2026
Art Becomes a Call to Protect Placencia Lagoon

Nestled along the southern coast of Belize, the waters of Placencia Lagoon have been the quiet backbone of local livelihoods for generations. For small-scale fishermen, it provides daily catches to feed their families; for tour guides and local tourism operators, it draws visitors eager to experience its rich mangrove ecosystems and unique marine wildlife; for generations of residents, it has been a gathering space for recreation and cultural connection. But today, this vital coastal ecosystem faces growing pressures that threaten both its ecological health and the communities that depend on it, prompting a creative new approach to conservation that centers local voices. On August 3, 2026, residents of Independence Village unveiled a large, community-created mural on the village shore, marking the official launch of a new public awareness campaign to protect the iconic lagoon.

The campaign is a collaborative effort between the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and Belize’s Southern Environmental Association (SEA), tied to the broader Reef Guard Project: Sustaining Life and Livelihoods initiative. This project works to strengthen management of four key marine protected areas across southern Belize, including South Water Caye Marine Reserve, Glover’s Reef Marine Reserve, Laughing Bird Caye National Park, and Gladden Spit and Silk Cayes Marine Reserve. Unlike top-down conservation campaigns that often exclude local input, this effort centers the experiences and needs of communities that have lived alongside the lagoon for decades.

Abigail Parham Garbutt, a marine conservation officer with WWF, explained that the mural project is the first step of the new communications campaign, with more public art installations planned for other communities bordering the lagoon, including Placencia and Stann Creek. “These murals are meant to capture the layered history of how people have interacted with this lagoon, from generations past to the present day,” Garbutt said. “They hold the personal memories and lived livelihoods that tie this community to the water, and make clear just how critical this ecosystem is to everyone who lives here.”

Unlike many conservation efforts that frame protection as separate from community needs, the Placencia Lagoon campaign works to strike a balance between ecological health and economic survival, emphasizing that successful long-term conservation cannot leave behind the people who depend on the lagoon’s resources. Community liaison Diego Lozano, based in Independence Village, notes that local buy-in is the foundation of any effective protection effort. “So many different people rely on this lagoon every single day: tour guides earning a living, small-scale fishermen bringing food home to their families, residents coming here to relax and recreate,” Lozano explained. “That’s why we need to protect it, but we have to do it in a way that respects all of these needs and finds a sustainable balance.”

The threats facing the lagoon are multi-fold, according to conservation leaders. Calvin Gonzales, senior project manager at SEA, outlined the key challenges threatening the ecosystem: unsustainable and illegal fishing practices, including both local and transboundary illegal fishing, harvesting of undersized or out-of-season marine life, unregulated coastal development, and the global pressure of climate change, which has driven coral bleaching across Belize’s reef systems that are connected to the lagoon. Gonzales added that lasting protection will require both stronger enforcement of existing conservation rules and ongoing scientific monitoring to track ecosystem health over time.

The Independence Village mural was painted collectively by more than 20 community members, ranging from local school children to professional conservationists, overseen by local artist Anton Leslie. Leslie explained that the design draws directly from the real experiences of people who live in the village, rather than a generic vision of coastal nature. The work depicts the lush mangrove habitats that form the foundation of the lagoon’s food web, alongside iconic local touches: the Hokie Pokie water taxi that serves the village, native manatees that frequent the lagoon’s shallow waters, and a child climbing through mangrove roots, capturing the intergenerational connection local people have to the ecosystem. “It covers all the different parts of life that happen here in this lagoon habitat,” Leslie said.

This first mural is just the opening step of the wider campaign, which aims to build a grassroots, community-led movement for conservation across the Placencia Lagoon region. By turning personal stories and lived connection into public art, organizers hope to inspire more local residents to join protection efforts and build widespread public support for policies that will safeguard the lagoon for future generations. The event was covered by News Five’s Britney Gordon on location in Independence Village.

4 8 月, 2026
Residents Paint Mural to Promote Placencia Lagoon Conservation

On August 3, 2026, residents of Belize’s Independence Village came together to unveil a new community-created mural that stands as both a tribute to the ecologically rich Placencia Lagoon and a public call for urgent local conservation action. The unveiling marks the official launch of a targeted conservation awareness campaign spearheaded by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), designed to build widespread grassroots support for protecting the critical coastal waterbody.

This mural project is just the first phase of a larger outreach effort: additional community murals are already scheduled for installation in nearby Placencia and Stann Creek districts, each designed to highlight the unique regional histories, cultural traditions and daily livelihoods that are inextricably tied to the lagoon’s health.

Abigail Parham Garbutt, a marine conservation officer working on the initiative, explained that the collaborative artwork does more than decorate a public space: it weaves together decades of personal memories and lived experiences of local residents, while making explicit the lagoon’s non-negotiable role in sustaining the local way of life. The entire project falls under the umbrella of WWF’s larger Reef Guard Project: Sustaining Life and Livelihoods, a program that works to improve management practices across four key marine protected areas in the region, with a specific focus on centering local community leadership in Placencia Lagoon conservation efforts.

More than 20 local residents, ranging from young schoolchildren to long-time environmental advocates, contributed hours of work to paint the mural, turning the project into a truly community-owned effort. Lead artist Anton Leslie shared that the mural’s design intentionally incorporates the lagoon’s iconic mangrove habitats, vulnerable native manatee populations, traditional local transportation and depictions of childhood moments spent along the water, all to visualize the deep, intergenerational connection local people have to the lagoon.

Organizers behind the campaign emphasize that the mural is intended to act as a permanent, public reminder: long-term protection of the Placencia Lagoon can only succeed when the community members who rely on its resources every day take a leading role in conservation. A full, in-depth report on the project and the community’s response will air on News 5 Live at 6 p.m. local time the same day.

3 8 月, 2026
Dominican researchers advance sargassum solutions at first SARGARD Symposium

In Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic, an unprecedented collaborative gathering is advancing a radical rethinking of one of the Caribbean’s most pressing environmental headaches: massive, recurring sargassum blooms that choke coastlines, damage tourism, and disrupt coastal ecosystems. The Federico Henríquez y Carvajal University (UFHEC) recently played host to the inaugural SARGARD Network Symposium, a landmark event that brought together Dominican and international research communities to share breakthrough work that reframes the invasive macroalgae from a costly problem into a catalyst for inclusive, circular sustainable growth.

The symposium was organized as a core feature of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology (MESCyT)’s annual Dominican Science and Technology Week, a platform designed to showcase the nation’s growing research capacity and foster global academic connections. The event opened with a keynote address from Professor Satoshi Nakai of Japan’s Hiroshima University, setting a collaborative, forward-looking tone for the proceedings. Following Nakai’s talk, researchers from five leading Dominican higher education institutions — UFHEC, the Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo (INTEC), Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM), ISA University, and Universidad APEC (UNAPEC) — took the stage to present their latest findings across a diverse range of sargassum-focused research areas.

Attendees were treated to presentations spanning cutting-edge practical and technical applications of sargassum utilization. Research topics ranged from improved sargassum monitoring and forecasting systems, which help communities prepare for incoming blooms and coordinate collection efforts, to innovative approaches for converting the biomass into valuable goods. Experts shared progress on developing bioenergy from sargassum, creating natural agricultural biostimulants to boost crop yields, and advancing biotechnological processes that extract high-value biomolecules. These extracted compounds show significant promise for use across multiple commercial sectors, including pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, nutraceuticals, and mainstream food production. Other highlighted innovations included microwave-assisted pyrolysis for biomass conversion and the development of sargassum-based hydrogels for industrial and environmental uses.

The cross-sector nature of the symposium underscored the complexity of the sargassum challenge and the need for coordinated action beyond academic walls. Attendees included representatives from key Dominican government bodies, such as the Ministry of Environment, the national Sargassum Control Cabinet, the National Maritime Authority (ANAMAR), and the Dominican Institute of Civil Aviation (IDAC), alongside private sector stakeholders from the Dominican Republic, Japan, and Italy. This multi-stakeholder turnout reinforced widespread commitment to co-developing scalable, innovative management and utilization strategies for the macroalgae.

In his opening remarks, Darwin Muñoz, UFHEC’s Vice Rector for Science, Technology and Innovation, stressed that no single institution or nation can address the far-reaching impacts of sargassum blooms alone. The excess macroalgae, which has increasingly inundated Caribbean coastlines in recent years, inflicts widespread damage across the region: it harms coastal ecosystems, cuts into tourism revenue, and disrupts small-scale fishing livelihoods. Muñoz’s call for cross-border, cross-sector joint research echoed the consensus that emerged from the symposium: rather than treating sargassum as waste to be disposed of, the global community should frame it as an abundant, valuable biomass resource. Under a circular economic framework, proponents argue, sargassum can be transformed into renewable energy, sustainable agricultural inputs, and high-value industrial materials — turning a persistent crisis into an opportunity for long-term, inclusive economic growth across the Caribbean.

3 8 月, 2026
RAAS Solar launches Tesla Solar Roof in the Dominican Republic

In a major step forward for renewable energy adoption across the Caribbean, Dominican-based renewable energy firm RAAS Solar has formally introduced Tesla Solar Roof to the Dominican market, opening up access to Tesla’s cutting-edge integrated solar roofing technology for both residential and commercial properties across the country.

The official launch event was hosted at RAAS Solar’s Sustainable Corporate Office in the nation’s capital, Santo Domingo. Unlike conventional solar panel setups that require mounting separate hardware on existing roofing, Tesla’s innovation embeds photovoltaic power-generating cells directly into durable glass roof tiles. This design allows structures to produce clean, renewable electricity while retaining the sleek, classic aesthetic of a traditional shingled roof, resolving a long-standing pain point for property owners who value curb appeal as much as energy savings.

This launch marks another milestone in RAAS Solar’s long-standing partnership with Tesla Energy. The Dominican company first made history in 2020 as the first certified Tesla Energy partner in the country to install the Tesla Powerwall, a cutting-edge home energy storage system that stores excess solar energy for use during outages or periods of low sunlight. Company executives noted that adding Tesla Solar Roof to their service lineup significantly strengthens their comprehensive suite of clean energy solutions, giving property owners a fully integrated end-to-end renewable energy system from power generation to storage.

To ensure optimal performance in the Dominican Republic’s unique environmental conditions, RAAS Solar mandates a full technical assessment before every installation. Technical teams evaluate a range of site-specific factors, including roof orientation, levels of shading from surrounding vegetation or structures, complex multi-level roof designs, and the hot, humid Caribbean climate that places unique demands on building materials. All installation work, product warranties, and ongoing technical support will be handled directly by RAAS Solar’s local trained team, eliminating barriers to service for local customers.

Beyond the technological benefits, property owners who opt for Tesla Solar Roof can also take advantage of existing policy incentives designed to accelerate renewable energy adoption in the Dominican Republic. The system qualifies for benefits under the nation’s 2007 Law 57-07 on Renewable Energy, as well as the country’s popular Net Metering program, which allows solar system owners to sell excess generated power back to the local grid for credit, reducing long-term energy costs and shortening the payback period for the initial investment.

3 8 月, 2026
Sergio Carlo files complaint with Environment Ministry over Macao Beach access

A prominent Dominican journalist, Sergio Carlo, has launched a formal legal complaint against the luxury Dreams Macao Punta Cana hotel over allegations that the property improperly blocked and restricted public access to a popular stretch of Macao Beach, drawing attention to longstanding tensions between private coastal resorts and public access rights in the Caribbean nation.

Carlo’s complaint has been distributed to multiple key government bodies, including the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, the Ministry of Tourism (MITUR), the Higüey City Council, and the Specialized Tourist Security Corps (CESTUR). The filing centers on claims that hotel staff regularly force visiting members of the public to move their personal belongings and beach equipment, such as umbrellas and chairs, to clear sections of the shoreline for private commercial events like wedding ceremonies and professional photo shoots.

The incident that prompted the complaint directly involved Carlo himself, during a recent visit to the beach. While he was using an explicitly public section of the shore, he says hotel employees approached him and demanded he relocate his umbrella. Staff told Carlo the area was required for a private event, following orders from hotel management, even though the location fell within the public maritime zone that is protected from private restriction under Dominican law.

In his formal filing, Carlo lays out extensive legal backing for his position, citing multiple binding constitutional and regulatory frameworks that confirm public ownership of all Dominican beachfront and the 60-meter maritime coastal strip. These include Article 15 of the Dominican Constitution, Law 305-68 which governs the 60-meter maritime zone, General Environmental Law 64-00, a previous ruling from the Dominican Constitutional Court, and recent Environment Ministry Resolution 026/2025, all of which enshrine the right of unrestricted free public access to all beach areas falling within this public zone.

Carlo is calling on relevant authorities to launch a full, transparent investigation into his allegations. Beyond the probe, he is pushing for regulatory bodies to immediately halt any ongoing hotel practices that unlawfully limit public access to the beach, implement routine, unannounced inspections of the coastal strip in front of the Dreams Macao Punta Cana property, and levy appropriate legal sanctions against the hotel if the violations outlined in the complaint are confirmed.

3 8 月, 2026
Caribbean photo contest returns with more than US$3,000 in prizes

The 2026 edition of the *Seas & Scenes: Love the Caribbean Photo Contest* has officially opened its submission window, calling on amateur and professional photographers from the Caribbean and across the globe to turn their lenses toward the region’s dramatic coastal landscapes, rich cultural traditions, and diverse underwater ecosystems. Running from August 1 through August 31, this month-long competitive event is open to creators of all skill levels with no entry fees required, making it accessible to anyone passionate about capturing the Caribbean’s one-of-a-kind charm.

Participants are permitted to submit up to five original, unpublished photographs to compete for a slice of the more than $3,000 in total prizes spread across 12 distinct award categories. Organized by the regional non-profit Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC), in collaboration with local publication Caribbean Compass magazine, the contest carries a core mission beyond celebrating photographic talent: it aims to highlight the Caribbean’s extraordinary natural and cultural heritage while fostering wider public engagement with marine and land conservation efforts across the region.

This year’s competition structure includes three primary juried categories that cover the breadth of Caribbean life: *Caribbean Life & Nature*, which captures everyday moments and endemic wildlife; *Sailing, Yachting & Life on the Water*, which centers the region’s deep ties to maritime activity; and *Environmental Impact & Stewardship*, which spotlights conservation work and ongoing environmental challenges facing Caribbean communities. Complementing these judged categories is a popular *Audience Choice* award, which invites members of the public to cast up to five votes per day to select their favorite entry.

Reflecting the contest’s rapid growth in popularity and regional reach since its launch, the 2026 edition features an expanded panel of judges with diverse expertise, including professional photographers, conservation scientists, sailing industry leaders, veteran journalists, and Caribbean cultural specialists.

In a statement announcing the opening of entries, EPIC Executive Director Tabitha Stadler emphasized the event’s community-driven, mission-focused roots. “We wanted this to be a mission-driven contest that celebrates the beauty, diversity, and cultures of the Caribbean,” Stadler said. “It’s exciting to offer it again, because it feels like we are knitting together a community of people who care about conserving these places for future generations.”

The contest’s inaugural 2025 edition exceeded organizational expectations, drawing more than 300 submissions from photographers based in 31 different Caribbean countries and territories. The first competition also sparked widespread public engagement, generating more than 2,800 public votes for the Audience Choice award and bringing international attention to the region’s unrivaled natural landscapes, vulnerable wildlife, and vibrant living cultural traditions.

For 2026, the competition has secured backing from lead sponsors DSL Yachting and IGY Marinas St. Maarten, with additional prize donations from a network of local businesses and regional partners that share EPIC’s commitment to promoting and protecting the Caribbean’s natural and cultural assets.

Photographers interested in entering the contest, members of the public who wish to vote in the Audience Choice category, and anyone seeking more detailed information about competition rules can visit the official event website at epicislands.org/photo-contest-2026.

3 8 月, 2026
Seas & Scenes: Love the Caribbean Photo Contest

Photography enthusiasts around the world, from amateur hobbyists to seasoned professionals, are being called on to capture the singular magic of the Caribbean as the 2026 edition of the Seas & Scenes: Love the Caribbean Photo Contest officially opens for submissions. Now in its second year, the mission-driven competition blends creative celebration with conservation advocacy, inviting participants to turn their lenses toward the region’s stunning natural landscapes, vibrant wildlife, rich local communities, and centuries-old sailing traditions. Running exclusively from August 1 to August 31, 2026, entry to the contest is completely free for all participants, with a total prize pool exceeding $3,000 and 12 distinct winning opportunities up for grabs. Participants are permitted to submit up to five original, unpublished photographs across four themed competition categories. The categories are structured to highlight the full spectrum of Caribbean identity: Caribbean Life & Nature, which centers everyday culture and native ecosystems; Sailing, Yachting & Life on the Water, which celebrates the region’s deep maritime heritage; Environmental Impact & Stewardship, which shines a spotlight on conservation efforts and environmental challenges facing the Caribbean; and the popular Audience Choice category, where members of the public can cast up to five votes daily to select their favorite entries. This year’s competition features an expanded panel of expert judges, bringing together specialists from the fields of professional photography, marine conservation, competitive sailing, investigative journalism, and Caribbean cultural studies. The growth of the judging panel mirrors the contest’s expanding regional footprint and its commitment to centering diverse, informed perspectives on the Caribbean’s many layers. Organized by Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC), a non-profit organization dedicated to regional conservation, in strategic partnership with regional publication Caribbean Compass magazine, the contest carries a core dual mission: to foster widespread public appreciation for the Caribbean’s one-of-a-kind natural and cultural heritage, and to underscore the urgent importance of protecting the fragile ecosystems that make the region so globally distinctive. “From the very beginning, we set out to build a contest rooted in purpose, one that honors the extraordinary beauty, cultural diversity, and distinct communities that make up the Caribbean,” shared Tabitha Stadler, Executive Director of EPIC, in a statement announcing the 2026 competition. “Bringing it back for a second year is incredibly exciting. It feels like we are weaving together a global community of people who share our commitment to preserving these exceptional lands and waters for future generations.” The 2026 iteration builds on the runaway success of the contest’s debut launch, which drew more than 300 individual submissions from photographers across 31 Caribbean nations and territories. Those first-year entries, which captured everything from dramatic dynamic coastal landscapes to rare glimpses of endemic marine life to intimate portraits of local cultural traditions, captivated a global public audience, generating more than 2,800 votes in the Audience Choice category and proving how deeply visual storytelling about the Caribbean resonates with audiences worldwide. This year’s expanded competition would not be possible without the generous backing of lead sponsors DSL Yachting and IGY Marinas St Maarten. Additional prizes have been donated by a growing network of local and regional businesses and partner organizations, all of which share the contest’s core commitment to celebrating and protecting the Caribbean’s natural and cultural assets. The contest will accept submissions only through the month of August 2026, with entries closing at the end of day on August 31. Photographers interested in entering, members of the public wanting to vote in the Audience Choice category, or anyone seeking additional information about the competition can visit the official contest website at epicislands.org/photo-contest-2026/.

3 8 月, 2026
INTEC study warns mangrove loss could cost Dominican Republic US$75 million annually

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic – A new research led by experts from the Technological Institute of Santo Domingo (INTEC) has drawn urgent attention to the steep economic costs of letting mangrove ecosystems decline across the country’s coastlines, projecting annual losses could reach as high as US$75 million if degradation continues. The findings, which underscore the underrecognized economic importance of these coastal habitats for the Dominican Republic’s tourism-driven economy, were officially published in the peer-reviewed academic journal *Ocean & Coastal Management*.

To reach their conclusions, the research team conducted a comprehensive analysis of overlapping economic and environmental datasets spanning 28 years, from 1995 through 2023. Their statistical analysis confirmed a clear correlation: ongoing mangrove degradation correlates directly with slower national GDP growth, declining numbers of international tourist arrivals, and slowed investment and development of tourism infrastructure along the country’s coasts.

Lead researchers emphasized that the $75 million annual loss estimate is intentionally conservative. This figure is calculated based only on the direct economic contributions of the Dominican Republic’s coastal and marine ecosystems, which collectively generate roughly US$1.8 billion in annual economic activity for the nation. The current projection does not account for the wide range of additional unpriced ecosystem services that mangroves provide, including long-term carbon sequestration, natural storm surge protection during hurricane season, habitat support for commercial and artisanal fisheries, and the conservation of critical regional biodiversity.

Study authors frame mangroves as far more than just a natural wilderness feature: they act as cost-effective, vital natural infrastructure that delivers multiple overlapping benefits for coastal communities and the national economy. These root-dense coastal forests slow coastal erosion, protect the sandy beaches and adjacent coral reefs that draw millions of visitors each year, and maintain the scenic coastal landscapes that form the core of the Dominican Republic’s $10 billion-plus tourism sector. Given these far-reaching benefits, the research team argues that expanding mangrove conservation and restoration efforts should not be viewed as a purely environmental obligation, but rather a high-return investment in the country’s long-term economic resilience against climate shocks and industry decline.

The research, which received funding from the Dominican Republic’s National Fund for Innovation and Scientific and Technological Development (Fondocyt), puts forward three core policy recommendations to reverse current degradation trends: strengthen legal and on-the-ground protections for existing mangrove habitats, integrate ecosystem conservation into long-term coastal tourism planning, and adopt targeted policy incentives that encourage private and public investment in coastal ecosystem conservation across the country.

2 8 月, 2026