Pollution's Impact On Caribbean Islands: A Worrying Wordbank

The Caribbean is facing a pollution crisis that threatens its natural environment, economy, and society. With its pristine beaches and rich marine ecosystems, the region is a popular tourist destination, but pollution from plastic waste, sewage, agricultural runoff, and oil is endangering its fragile ecosystems and the health and livelihoods of its people. Cruise ships, a major component of the Caribbean's tourism market, have been singled out as significant polluters, releasing sewage into the sea and contaminating mangrove and coral reef areas. The Caribbean's small island states are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of pollution, and with growing populations and increasing coastal development, the pressure on these states to address pollution is mounting.

Cruise ship pollution

Cruise ships produce and dump large amounts of sewage and waste into the ocean, including human sewage, greywater, oily bilge water, sewage sludge, garbage, and hazardous wastes. This pollution contaminates coral reefs and destroys marine ecology, threatening the biodiversity that attracts tourists to the region. The Caribbean is particularly vulnerable to the health-related impacts of pollution, including the spread of viruses carried by mosquitoes that breed in litter.

Air pollution from cruise ships is also a major concern. Cruise ships emit sulfur oxide (SOx), nitrogen oxide (NOx), carbon dioxide (CO2), phosphorus (P4), soot, heavy metals, and other particulates. These emissions contribute to ocean and soil acidification and pose serious health risks to locals and passengers alike. A 2019 study revealed that Barcelona, a popular cruise ship destination, was the most polluted European city in terms of SOx emissions from cruise ships.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has set standards to contain the environmental pollution of shipping, such as the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, or MARPOL 73/78. However, the cruise industry has pushed back against stricter environmental regulations, prioritizing business as usual over reducing their carbon footprint.

To address cruise ship pollution, some ports have implemented docking restrictions, requiring ships to use low-sulfur fuel or abatement technologies while docked. Additionally, the use of shore power, or "cold ironing," during docking has been proposed, although this idea has been resisted by cruise lines due to the associated costs and infrastructure requirements.

Overall, the Caribbean islands face significant challenges in mitigating the environmental and health impacts of cruise ship pollution, and a collective effort is needed to implement effective solutions.

Agricultural runoff

Agricultural activities, such as the use of fertilizers and pesticides, can lead to nutrient and sediment pollution. When excess nutrients from fertilizers enter water bodies, they can cause an overgrowth of algae, leading to harmful algal blooms. These blooms can deplete oxygen levels in the water, creating "dead zones" where marine life cannot survive. Sediment runoff from agricultural lands can also smother coral reefs, impeding their growth and reproduction.

In addition, climate change exacerbates the impacts of agricultural runoff. Drought conditions, for example, decrease soil productivity and increase the vulnerability of agroecosystems to pests and introduced species. This can lead to increased use of pesticides, further contributing to water pollution. Changes in rainfall patterns and temperatures due to climate change can also affect the timing of agricultural production and crop yields, impacting food prices and availability in the Caribbean.

The Caribbean's geographic and climatic characteristics further compound the challenges of managing agricultural runoff. The region's unique tropical island environment can accelerate the impacts of pollution on coral reefs and other marine ecosystems.

To address these issues, it is crucial to implement sustainable practices that minimize the use of chemicals and effectively manage runoff to protect the region's fragile marine ecosystems. This includes adopting practices such as precision farming, conservation tillage, and integrated pest management, which can help reduce the amount of chemicals and sediments entering water bodies.

Plastic pollution

The problem is twofold: the Caribbean faces a significant challenge in managing its own waste, and it also receives plastic waste from northern waters, carried by prevailing currents. The impact of this waste is far-reaching, with plastic shards often found in the region's waters, endangering marine life and the health of those who live nearby.

The World Bank report, "Marine Pollution in the Caribbean: Not a Minute to Waste," highlights the severity of the issue. It finds that plastic waste, accounting for thousands of shards in the water, represents nearly 80% of the total litter in the Caribbean. This includes plastic beverage bottles, which made up 21% of the items recorded in beach and coastal clean-ups in 2017, and single-use plastics, which accounted for 35% of all plastic items collected.

The report also reveals that more than 320,000 tons of plastic waste remain uncollected each year in the Caribbean. This waste, along with sewage, agricultural runoff, and chemicals, poses a serious threat to tourism, which accounts for 15% of the region's GDP, and to fisheries, which provide income and food security to local communities.

The Caribbean's vulnerability to natural disasters and climate change exacerbates the plastic pollution issue. In addition, the region's small island states face challenges such as growing populations, unmanaged coastal development, and limited waste collection and management systems, making them particularly susceptible to the impacts of plastic pollution.

To address this crisis, 14 Caribbean countries have taken a crucial first step by banning single-use plastics and/or Styrofoam. However, more comprehensive action is needed, including new policies, improved waste management, consumer and industry behaviour changes, and investments in innovative solutions.

Sewage treatment

The Caribbean Environment Programme (CEP) has been working to protect the marine environment and address land-based sources of pollution and sewage. CEP has promoted the accession and ratification of the Protocol Concerning Land-Based Sources of Marine Pollution (LBS), with France, Saint Lucia, Panama, and Trinidad & Tobago being contracting parties. CEP has also facilitated the development and implementation of National Programmes of Action (NPAs) for the prevention of pollution from land-based sources, with direct support provided to Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, and Barbados.

The World Bank has also recognised the issue of wastewater in the Caribbean, launching the "Wastewater: From Waste to Resource" initiative in 2018. This initiative aims to address the wastewater challenge, raise awareness among decision-makers about the potential of wastewater as a resource, and provide guidance on improving the planning, management, and financing of wastewater treatment.

The World Resources Institute (WRI) has collaborated with the Caribbean Regional Fund for Wastewater Management (GEF CReW) Project to improve the region's understanding of the wastewater issue and provide resources to assist countries in making a stronger case for investments in wastewater treatment. WRI's economic valuation resource guide has been piloted in Chaguanas, Trinidad; Southwest Tobago; and Isla Colon, Panama. The guide helps policymakers and officials examine the trade-offs between the costs of investing in improved wastewater management infrastructure and the benefits to ecosystems and human health.

The issue of sewage treatment in the Caribbean is critical, with untreated wastewater causing ecosystem degradation, negative health impacts, and potential threats to the region's economic and physical well-being.

Climate change

The Caribbean Sea is a lifeline for 37 distinct economies, providing food, jobs, and livelihoods for millions of people. The region's marine ecosystems, including coral reefs, beaches, and mangroves, are critical for sustainability and inclusive growth. However, these ecosystems are increasingly vulnerable to human activities and climate change. Data shows that the sea and marine ecosystems are being degraded by marine pollution, acidification, and rising sea temperatures, with coral reefs being particularly affected. The degradation of coral reefs alone results in an estimated annual revenue loss of between US$350 million and US$870 million.

The impact of climate change on the Caribbean is not just environmental but also has economic and social repercussions. Most people in Small Island Developing States live within 10km of the ocean, making them highly vulnerable to its effects. Climate change-induced sea-level rise and increased storm frequency and intensity pose direct threats to these communities. Additionally, the region experiences gastrointestinal diseases related to untreated waste and viruses from mosquitoes that breed in litter, further impacting the health and well-being of the residents.

To address these challenges, urgent action is needed to restore damaged ecosystems and protect the Caribbean's marine resources. The World Bank has released a report, "Marine Pollution in the Caribbean: Not a Minute to Waste," which offers solutions to transition to a blue economy. This includes effectively managing plastics, solid waste, and wastewater, as well as increasing funding for marine pollution prevention and improving awareness about the importance of water quality.

The Caribbean islands are taking steps towards a more sustainable future. Fourteen Caribbean countries have banned single-use plastic bags and/or Styrofoam, and many have adopted public awareness campaigns and new legislation to tackle marine pollution. These efforts are crucial in building resilience and preserving the region's natural assets, which are vital for the well-being and prosperity of its communities.

Frequently asked questions