Carib Scope

分类： environment

  • Dominican Republic holds first National Oceans Forum to strengthen marine conservation

    Dominican Republic holds first National Oceans Forum to strengthen marine conservation

    In a landmark gathering focused on safeguarding one of the Dominican Republic’s most critical natural assets, the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Technological Institute of Santo Domingo (INTEC), has convened the country’s First National Oceans Forum in the capital city of Santo Domingo. The cross-sector event brought together a diverse cohort of stakeholders, including senior government representatives, leading academic researchers, private sector leaders, civil society advocates, and global organization experts, all aligned around the shared goal of advancing progressive ocean governance and responsible long-term management of marine resources.

    Framed by the theme “The Ocean as the Foundation of Sustainable Prosperity,” the forum carried a clear core mission: to elevate ocean conservation from a niche environmental concern to a central priority on the Dominican Republic’s national policy agenda, while establishing a collaborative foundation for the development of the country’s first formal National Ocean Strategy.

    Speaking at the opening of the event, Environment Minister Paíno Henríquez framed the forum as a transformative milestone for the nation’s approach to marine and coastal ecosystem management. He underscored that the long-term future of the Dominican Republic is inextricably linked to the ecological health of its surrounding seas, noting that continued degradation of marine habitats would put economic and social progress at risk across multiple sectors.

    Attendees across sectors echoed that sentiment, emphasizing a little-known but critical fact: the ocean makes up approximately 90 percent of the Dominican Republic’s total national territory. Beyond its ecological importance, this vast marine resource is the backbone of many of the country’s most vital economic sectors, from world-renowned coastal tourism that draws millions of visitors annually to small-scale and commercial fisheries that support millions of livelihoods. It also underpins the social and economic stability of hundreds of thousands of residents living in coastal communities across the nation.

    Over the course of the forum, participants dove into robust discussions centered on the most pressing threats facing the country’s marine ecosystems. Key challenges highlighted included accelerating climate change impacts such as ocean warming and acidification, growing levels of marine plastic and chemical pollution, worsening coastal erosion that threatens communities and infrastructure, and unsustainable overfishing that depletes fish stocks critical to food security and economic activity. Alongside these challenges, attendees explored a wide range of untapped opportunities to expand the country’s sustainable blue economy, balancing economic growth with long-term conservation of marine resources.

    officials also used the forum to call for urgent systemic changes to ocean management, including more effective coordination across disparate government agencies, the adoption of science-backed policy frameworks to guide decision-making, and scaled up investment in conservation initiatives across all levels of governance. Organizers confirmed that the National Oceans Forum is set to become an annual recurring event, designed to sustain cross-sector collaboration, strengthen national ocean governance frameworks, and advance the long-term protection of the Dominican Republic’s irreplaceable marine resources for future generations.

  • What does the forecast hold? Drier months, increased heat expected

    What does the forecast hold? Drier months, increased heat expected

    Residents of the Caribbean island nation of Saint Lucia are being urged to prepare for prolonged dry conditions and above-average temperatures over the closing months of 2026, as a developing El Niño pattern reshapes regional weather through the island’s traditional wet season.

    Speaking at a Wednesday press briefing hosted by the Saint Lucia Water and Sewerage Company (WASCO) held at the National Workers Union Conference Room, Saint Lucia Meteorological Services Director Vigil Saltibus outlined the key risks associated with the current climate shift. El Niño, a naturally recurring ocean-atmosphere weather pattern defined by unusually warm surface temperatures across the eastern and central Pacific Ocean, is partially driving the expected deviation from typical seasonal conditions.

    “El Niño typically acts to suppress rainfall during the Caribbean wet season, and the event is also linked to higher-than-average global temperatures overall,” Saltibus explained. While the large-scale pattern reduces overall precipitation, he emphasized that dangerous weather events remain possible. Localized flooding can still develop if atmospheric instability combines with enough moisture, particularly in association with passing tropical waves, tropical storms, and upper-level troughs, he warned. Residents should remain vigilant for these events even amid broader dry conditions.

    El Niño events generally last between 9 and 12 months, and occur at irregular intervals of 2 to 7 years. Saint Lucia’s official wet season runs from June through November, but Saltibus’s forecast shows the most severe drought and peak heat will hit between September and November. This high-risk window aligns exactly with the peak of the annual Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30 each year.

    Despite the overlapping timing, Saltibus noted that El Niño typically suppresses Atlantic hurricane activity, leading to a 2026 season forecast to be near-normal to below-normal in overall activity. Official meteorological predictions call for 8 to 14 named storms, 3 to 6 hurricanes, and 1 to 3 major hurricanes (Category 3 or higher) this season. As of early August, two named storms – Arthur and Bertha – have already formed and moved through the Atlantic basin.

    In response to the forecast, both Saltibus and WASCO leadership have stressed that proactive preparedness and consistent water conservation remain top priorities for communities across Saint Lucia to mitigate the impacts of the coming dry and hot conditions.

  • Isolated showers and sweltering heat will mark this Sunday

    Isolated showers and sweltering heat will mark this Sunday

    Residents across the Dominican Republic are bracing for a day of contrasting weather on Sunday, with localized showers in the east and capital region forecast to give way to heavier thunderstorms in central and western areas, paired with dangerously high heat indexes, according to the country’s national meteorological service. The Dominican Institute of Meteorology, better known by its local acronym Indomet, traced the day’s precipitation to residual moisture left behind by a passing tropical wave, combined with atmospheric pressure from a trough moving across the region.

    Early Sunday morning will bring scattered isolated showers to several eastern and southern coastal provinces, including La Altagracia, La Romana, San Pedro de Macorís, San Cristóbal, and the broader Santo Domingo metropolitan area. As the day progresses into the afternoon, the weather system will shift west and inland, bringing moderate to heavy downpours, thunderstorms, and sudden gusty winds to provinces including Hato Mayor, Monte Plata, La Vega, Santiago Rodríguez, San Juan, Dajabón, and Elías Piña. For the remainder of the country, forecasters predict mostly clear sunny conditions with only gradual, minor increases in cloud cover through the day.

    Beyond rainfall, Indomet warned that sweltering heat will intensify across the nation on Sunday, building on hot and hazy conditions that were already forecast for Saturday, which also included expected Saharan dust intrusion. A combination of high baseline temperatures and elevated humidity will push the heat index — a measure of how hot conditions actually feel to the human body — into dangerous territory.

    In response to the dangerous heat forecast, Indomet has issued a series of public safety recommendations for all residents, with extra guidance for vulnerable groups. The agency urged people to drink water regularly to maintain hydration, wear loose, light-colored clothing that reflects heat, and avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight between the peak heat hours of 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. It also advised the public to stay in cool, well-ventilated spaces as much possible during these hours, and to cut back on strenuous outdoor activity. Young children, pregnant people, and older adults are flagged as particularly vulnerable to heat-related illness, so extra precautions are recommended for these groups.

    Breaking down the forecast for the four sections of the Santo Domingo metropolitan area — National District, Santo Domingo Norte, Santo Domingo Oeste, and Santo Domingo Este — all four zones are expected to see gradual increases in cloud cover through the day, paired with isolated showers, possible thunderstorms, and occasional gusty winds. Nationwide, overnight low temperatures Saturday into Sunday are expected to range between 23°C and 25°C, while afternoon high temperatures will reach between 33°C and 35°C across most of the country.

  • VN: Krachtige El Niño versterkt hitte op een ‘planeet die al in brand staat’

    VN: Krachtige El Niño versterkt hitte op een ‘planeet die al in brand staat’

    The World Meteorological Organization (WMO), a United Nations specialized agency for climate and weather, has issued an urgent warning that a rapidly strengthening El Niño event will dominate global weather patterns over the coming months and drive widespread extreme weather conditions across the planet.

    Published on Friday, the WMO’s latest climate update confirms that this recurring climate phenomenon, driven by abnormal warm water buildup in the central Pacific Ocean, has already elevated the global risk of catastrophic heatwaves, prolonged droughts, and severe flooding. The alert comes at a time when vulnerable regions are already reeling from climate-related disasters: massive wildfires are tearing through parts of Africa and Europe, while unusually heavy monsoon rains in South Asia have caused widespread disruption and displacement.

    “El Niño is not just on our doorstep — it is already here, and it is turning up the heat,” United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres stated in response to the update. “This is just a warm-up. El Niño is growing stronger, and it is adding fuel to a planet that is already on fire.”

    Forecasters project that sea surface temperatures in the central Pacific Ocean will rise to more than 2.9 degrees Celsius above long-term historical averages. This extreme ocean warming disrupts established global weather systems and pushes overall planetary temperatures even higher, compounding the decades-long trend of human-caused global warming.

    Guterres has called on national governments to drastically accelerate climate action, noting that the impacts of El Niño are intersecting with human-induced climate change to create an unprecedented climate emergency. He specifically identified the continued expansion of fossil fuel production as the core driver worsening the crisis, and called for an immediate halt to all new coal, oil, and gas development projects.

    Per the WMO forecast, nearly all global land areas will see well-above-average temperatures through the duration of the event. The most severe heatwaves are expected to hit regions across Africa, Southern Europe, the Indian subcontinent, East Asia, and South America.

    WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo emphasized that while El Niño is being closely monitored by scientific agencies worldwide, early warning forecasts must translate into immediate, concrete action from governments and humanitarian organizations to protect the most vulnerable communities. “Forecasts cannot prevent hazards — people do,” Saulo said. “The decisions we make today will determine the impact we face tomorrow.”

    Right now, Southern Europe is already battling multiple large-scale wildfires, amplified by ongoing heatwaves that have dried out vegetation and drastically increased wildfire risk. Spain, Portugal, and Greece have reported record numbers of blazes this season, which have destroyed thousands of hectares of natural land and forced thousands of residents to evacuate their homes.

    Beyond wildfires, El Niño is triggering severe drought in other regions across the globe. In parts of East Africa, the phenomenon has led to failed rainy seasons, leaving millions facing acute food insecurity and severe water scarcity. South American nations including Peru and Brazil are also grappling with persistent drought that threatens agricultural output and access to clean drinking water for local populations.

    Climate scientists warn that this El Niño event could reach record strength by the second half of 2026, further increasing the likelihood of extreme, destructive weather events across the globe. While there remain minor uncertainties in climate computer models, the overarching conclusion is clear: the combination of a powerful El Niño and long-term human-caused climate change is placing unprecedented pressure on the planet’s ecosystems and human communities.

  • Heat Blast: Heatwaves, uneven hurricane activity forecast for late wet season

    Heat Blast: Heatwaves, uneven hurricane activity forecast for late wet season

    On Friday, leading regional climate and meteorology experts issued a detailed forecast outlining a series of extreme weather hazards set to impact Barbados and the entire Caribbean region through the final stretch of the 2024 wet season. The projection, published in the July–September issue of the Caribbean Climate Outlook newsletter, draws on analysis from Dr. Cedric Van Meerbeek, lead regional climatologist at the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH), and Dr. Theodore Allen, a climate change specialist at the University of the West Indies’ Centre for Resource Management and Environmental Studies (CERMES).

    According to the pair, the projected unstable conditions are driven by two key climate forces: a strengthening El Niño system developing over the summer months, which overlaps with the Caribbean’s wet season, and long-term anthropogenic global warming that amplifies the intensity of extreme weather events across the tropics.

    One of the most immediate risks highlighted is rising oppressive humid heat that will build through September, the traditional peak of the region’s annual heat cycle. The experts warn this warming trend will result in repeated, prolonged heatwaves, with the northernmost areas of the Caribbean facing the most severe exposure.

    For the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season, the forecast calls for an uneven pattern of activity. Through August, storm formation will occur in irregular, scattered bursts, but the typical September peak is expected to be far less active than in average years. A key factor suppressing cyclone development is the expected frequent influx of dust-heavy Saharan air masses moving across the Atlantic into Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, a phenomenon the authors note disrupts tropical cyclone formation. However, this same dry, dust-laden air carries its own hazards: it worsens oppressive humidity and drives widespread declines in regional air quality, raising risks for people with respiratory conditions.

    Rainfall patterns will also be highly irregular over the coming two to three months. Overall, the region will see a slower increase in rainfall frequency compared to most years, which has slowed the recovery from ongoing drought conditions that will persist into September. Despite the overall lack of consistent rain, intense, short-duration heavy rainfall events are still projected to occur, and these outbursts carry a “high to extremely high potential” for flash flooding, river flooding, and cascading secondary hazards that can disrupt communities and infrastructure.

    Drought remains one of the most pressing ongoing threats across multiple island nations and territories. Severe short-term drought has already been confirmed in southwest Tobago and western Barbados, while long-term drought is currently entrenched in a dozen locations across the region: easternmost Cuba, Grenada, easternmost Guadeloupe, southwest Jamaica, Martinique, southwest Puerto Rico, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent, and southeast Suriname.

    Agricultural drought, which threatens crop yields and livestock health, is already developing in Saint Lucia, and the experts project it will either emerge or persist through the end of the month across the Aruba-Bonaire-Curacao (ABC) Islands, eastern Cuba, Dominica, Grenada, the Leeward Islands, Martinique, and Tobago. Short-term drought is currently evolving in Antigua and Barbuda, Grand Cayman, Martinique, northeast Puerto Rico, St. Kitts and Nevis, parts of Saint Lucia, Tobago, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, with potential development or continuation through September in the ABC Islands, Barbados, parts of Belize, and Grenada. Long-term drought is evolving in Antigua, Martinique, St. Kitts and Nevis, and Saint Lucia, with potential persistence or development through the end of November in Martinique and St. Kitts.

  • Heat index in Santo Domingo reaches record highs of up to 48 degrees, triggering a surge in electricity consumption

    Heat index in Santo Domingo reaches record highs of up to 48 degrees, triggering a surge in electricity consumption

    A record-shattering July heatwave has pushed the Dominican Republic into a dual climate and energy crisis, bringing historic heat index levels and widespread power disruptions that have strained critical national infrastructure.

    Data released by the Dominican Institute of Meteorology (INDOMET) confirms that extreme high temperatures have blanketed the entire country this month. In the densely populated Greater Santo Domingo area, the average air temperature hit 36.1 degrees Celsius. When factoring in humidity, the real-feel heat index soared to between 43 and 48 degrees Celsius — a level that poses significant health risks for vulnerable populations. Even more extreme conditions were recorded in the northern province of Santiago Rodríguez, where actual air temperatures peaked at 39.8 degrees Celsius, pushing the heat index to a dangerous 50 degrees Celsius.

    The relentless heat has driven a massive spike in cooling demand across residential and commercial spaces. As households and businesses cranked up air conditioners and fans to combat the swelter, peak-hour electricity demand surged past the 4,400 kilowatt mark. This figure is nearly 47 percent higher than the typical peak consumption of 3,000 kilowatt, overwhelming the national grid’s capacity. The overloaded electrical circuits have led to rolling blackouts across many communities, worsening disruptions for residents already struggling with the extreme heat.

    Compounding the crisis is an extra layer of atmospheric strain: a plume of Saharan dust drifting across the Atlantic to the Caribbean. This dry, dusty air mass has amplified already high temperatures across most of the Dominican Republic’s territory, while also suppressing the formation of rain clouds that could bring temporary relief from the heat.

    National officials have issued an ongoing warning that the Dominican Republic will remain under the influence of this combined heat and dust phenomenon for the immediate future. The sustained hot conditions will continue to place unmanageable pressure on the country’s already overstretched electrical system, leaving authorities working to mitigate further disruptions as the crisis continues.

  • Miss Earth Belize has a New National Director

    Miss Earth Belize has a New National Director

    In a development that marks a key turning point for Belize’s leading environmental advocacy pageant platform, the Miss Earth Belize Foundation Ltd. announced the appointment of Halima Hoy as its new National Director on July 31, 2026.

    The appointment is framed as the start of an exciting new chapter for the organization, which ties pageantry to global and local climate action, ecological conservation and community-led environmental work. Hoy brings a unique, well-rounded portfolio of experience that aligns perfectly with the foundation’s core mission, blending deep expertise in pageantry, public health advocacy, grassroots community organizing and youth capacity building.

    Previously, Hoy earned national recognition when she claimed the title of Miss Universe Belize in 2024, and that same year, she was appointed UNICEF Champion for Children, a role that let her build extensive experience leading public outreach and driving social impact across Belize. Her background has given her both national visibility and hands-on experience coordinating public engagement campaigns that resonate with diverse audiences, from young people to community stakeholders.

    In an official statement announcing the appointment, the Miss Earth Belize Foundation emphasized that Hoy’s track record on both national and international pageant stages, combined with her specialized knowledge of pageant training and competitor development, and her proven commitment to purpose-driven advocacy, puts her in a strong position to lead the platform into its next phase of growth and impact.

    In her new role as National Director, Hoy will take on core responsibilities including mentoring emerging Belizean women leaders who are passionate about environmental action, and overseeing the preparation of Belize’s official representative for the annual global Miss Earth competition, one of the world’s most prominent pageantry platforms focused exclusively on climate and conservation advocacy.

  • Antigua and Barbuda Among CARICOM Countries Below U.N. Water-Stress Threshold

    Antigua and Barbuda Among CARICOM Countries Below U.N. Water-Stress Threshold

    Water stress, a key metric that tracks the proportion of a nation’s renewable freshwater reserves withdrawn annually for agricultural production, industrial activity and domestic consumption, serves as a critical indicator of resource competition. When withdrawal rates climb higher, the competition for this limited, life-sustaining resource grows more intense. The United Nations has established a standard threshold: any nation withdrawing more than 25% of its available renewable freshwater is classified as experiencing water stress.

    The latest data from the Food and Agriculture Organization’s AQUASTAT monitoring program, released for the reference year 2022 — the most recent year for which full data is available, due to a multi-year national reporting cycle that delays public releases by two to three years — paints a mixed picture for the 15-member Caribbean Community (CARICOM). The vast majority of member states fall well below the UN’s 25% water stress threshold, showing ample renewable freshwater reserves relative to current consumption levels.

    Three CARICOM members with large landmasses and extensive river systems — Belize, Guyana, and Suriname — record some of the lowest withdrawal rates in the region, all pulling less than 4% of their total renewable freshwater each year. Larger island nations including Jamaica, Haiti, and Trinidad and Tobago also remain within the UN’s “no-stress” range, with Trinidad and Tobago reporting the highest withdrawal rate in this group at 20.3%. Two member states are the notable exceptions to this trend, however: Barbados and St. Kitts and Nevis.

    Barbados, a small, flat coral island with no permanent surface rivers, relies almost entirely on groundwater to meet its freshwater needs. The nation withdraws a staggering 87.5% of its total renewable freshwater annually, placing it firmly in the UN’s high-stress category. Neighboring St. Kitts and Nevis, another small island archipelago, also exceeds the threshold with a 50.8% annual withdrawal rate. Both nations, as small Caribbean island states, face inherent structural constraints: their limited landmass translates to far smaller renewable freshwater reserves than their larger, mainland CARICOM counterparts, creating a stark divide in water security across the bloc. It is important to note that data for two CARICOM members, The Bahamas and Montserrat, was not available for this 2022 analysis.

  • Tropical Weather Outlook: Friday, 31 July 2026 (8 am)

    Tropical Weather Outlook: Friday, 31 July 2026 (8 am)

    Meteorological officials from the Meteorological Services MBIA and Grenada Airports Authority (GAA) have issued an active weather advisory for the tropical North Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico, highlighting a developing tropical wave of interest to regional authorities. The system, which falls within a monitored special weather zone spanning 10–20° North latitude and 40–65° West longitude, has recently been repositioned to approximately 57° West, located just south of the 20° North parallel. It is currently tracking westward at a steady speed of around 20 knots. As of the latest observation, scattered moderate convective activity is concentrated between 12° North and 15° North, stretching from 55° West to 58° West, in line with the system’s projected forward movement. Forecasters confirm the tropical wave is on track to pass over the Caribbean nation of Grenada later today. The passage of the system is expected to bring noticeable changes to local weather conditions, including increased cloud cover across the island, widespread shower activity, and a risk of isolated thunderstorm events. The agencies noted that they will release their next official update on the system’s position and forecast at 2:00 PM local time. This advisory, published via NOW Grenada, includes a standard content disclaimer: the outlet does not take responsibility for opinions, statements, or third-party contributed media content shared on its platform, and provides a channel for users to report any content that violates community guidelines.

  • SP Town Council Reallocates Over $2 Million to Tackle Sargassum

    SP Town Council Reallocates Over $2 Million to Tackle Sargassum

    As of July 30, 2026, the idyllic island of San Pedro, Belize, is grappling with a persistent and costly environmental crisis that is straining municipal finances: a massive, unrelenting influx of sargassum seaweed washing onto its iconic shorelines. San Pedro Mayor Wally Nuñez confirmed in a recent broadcast interview that the town council was forced to reallocate more than $2 million from other municipal programs last year alone to fund emergency sargassum removal efforts, a financial burden that has impacted nearly every other area of local public service. What makes the situation even more urgent is that the flow of invasive seaweed shows no sign of abating, prompting local leaders to pursue long-term, more efficient solutions to protect the island’s coastal ecosystem and tourism-dependent economy.

    Nuñez emphasized that the crisis is far from a local problem alone — it is a widespread regional challenge impacting coastal communities across the Caribbean Basin, stretching from Central American nations to coastal areas of the United States. For San Pedro, which relies heavily on its clean, attractive beaches to draw international tourists, the immediate priority remains rapid removal before the sargassum can decompose in nearshore waters, which would worsen water quality and drive away visitors. Currently, most of the town’s removal efforts are concentrated along the 1-mile stretch surrounding the town port, a small fraction of San Pedro’s total beachfront, leaving much of the coastline’s cleanup to private resorts and community volunteers.

    Local leaders are actively evaluating a range of new approaches to tackle the issue, including investing in specialized, heavy-duty removal equipment that can clear sargassum directly from the water before it reaches the shore. Nuñez also noted that entrepreneurs have pitched a variety of repurposing plans for collected sargassum — including the production of so-called sarga blocks for construction and other commercial uses — but for cash-strapped local leaders, speed of removal remains the top priority. Last year marked one of the worst on record for sargassum inundations in San Pedro, leaving the council with no choice but to shift limited resources away from other planned municipal projects to fund emergency cleanup.

    Fortunately, San Pedro is not facing the challenge alone. Mayor Nuñez confirmed that multiple regional agencies and key local stakeholders, including the Belize Tourism Board, have stepped in to provide additional equipment, logistical support, and funding to help the town manage the ongoing crisis. Private resorts along the island’s extended coastline have also deployed their own removal strategies, while community volunteers have contributed to local cleanup efforts to protect the island’s most valuable natural asset.