Saint Lucia
Climate change threatens water availability and quality
As is common for small island developing states (SIDS), Saint Lucia is highly susceptible to the impacts of climate change.
The island's proximity to the sea makes it particularly vulnerable to the marine effects of climate change, such as rising sea levels and heightened intensity of hurricanes.
In addition to these challenges, Saint Lucia is experiencing changes in precipitation patterns, which pose difficulties for the agriculture sector.
Jameson Alphonse, who owns an organic farm in Bois D'Inde, a rural community in the island's hilly interior, cultivates lettuce and tomatoes. He has also implemented an aquaponics system that involves raising fish and shrimp. This approach is his response to the decreasing availability of freshwater resources.
As the impacts of climate change intensify, Saint Lucia will face a dual challenge of drier conditions and increased risk of recurring droughts, along with more frequent heavy rainfall events. This seemingly contradictory situation arises because the island is expected to experience less frequent but more intense rainfall in the future. According to data from the Climate Vulnerability Monitor 3, total precipitation in Saint Lucia is projected to decrease significantly by the end of this century.
The extent of this precipitation decline will be influenced by the global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. If nations worldwide manage to reduce emissions, limiting global warming to below 2.0°C by the end of this century, Saint Lucia may experience a 15 percent decline in precipitation. However, if global temperatures rise beyond the 2.0°C threshold, the projected decline in precipitation for Saint Lucia increases to 48 percent by the end of this century. These figures emphasize the urgency of ambitious emissions reductions to mitigate the potential impacts of climate change on precipitation patterns in the region.
The decline in precipitation in Saint Lucia will have significant implications for freshwater availability and quality. As water becomes scarcer, it will put increased stress on food production, potentially leading to a higher reliance on food importation and increasing vulnerability to external food markets. This burden will have a significant impact on vulnerable groups affected by poverty.
Additionally, the expected increase in temperature will further exacerbate the water demand for domestic use, tourism, and agriculture in Saint Lucia.
Climate change impacts
in Saint Lucia
Increased Frequency of Extreme Weather Events Like Extreme Rainfall
Flooding and Landslides
Shrinking Freshwater Availability
Sea-level rise
More Frequent and Stronger Tropical Storms
The lack of comprehensive data in many developing countries, including Saint Lucia, hinders accurate predictions of how rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns will impact agriculture.
Deborah Bushell, an agricultural engineer, highlights water provision as a critical vulnerability for agriculture and daily life in the face of climate change.
Rainfall is the main source of freshwater in Saint Lucia, supplying the municipal water system through overland rivers. The northern part of the island heavily relies on the John Compton Dam for water, which is increasingly strained by the expanding tourism industry.
In contrast, the southern half of the island experiences more frequent water supply interruptions, relying on water storage and treatment facilities that depend on rainfall. Poor and rural communities face difficulties accessing piped water and rely mostly on rivers and streams.
Nadia Cazaubon from the nonprofit organization Waterways highlights the significant decrease in river flows, raising concerns about water availability. Water pollution could exacerbate the problem, posing a major risk as less water becomes available.
In response, Nadia Cazaubon and Waterways provide information about local watersheds, promote their protection, and encourage water quality testing. This is crucial as climate change is expected to increase the incidence of waterborne diseases, particularly through the impacts of extreme events like flooding and the spread of water-borne pathogens.