Helena Joyce
The Caribbean Sea is a lifeline to 37 distinct economies, supporting biodiversity, beauty, and rich marine ecosystems. However, the Caribbean is facing serious environmental issues, with marine pollution, coastal degradation, and climate change threatening the region's sustainability and inclusive growth. The main causes of pollution in the Caribbean are plastic waste, sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial activities. With a lack of waste management infrastructure and the impact of human activities, the Caribbean's marine ecosystems are degrading, and entire industries and livelihoods are at risk.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Marine pollution | Plastics, sewage, agricultural runoff, gas, oil, chemicals, litter |
| Plastic pollution | Single-use plastics, plastic bottles, bags, food wrappers |
| Plastic waste production per capita | St. Lucia, Trinidad & Tobago, Antigua & Barbuda, St. Kitts & Nevis, Guyana, Barbados, Bahamas, Grenada, Anguilla, Aruba |
| Uncollected plastic waste | 18 billion pounds of plastic pollution disposed into the ocean each year, 320,000-322,745 tons of plastic waste uncollected yearly |
| Marine litter | 70-80% of marine litter in the Caribbean comes from land-based sources, compared to a global average of 80% |
| Impact on marine life | Harming marine animals, degrading coral reefs, beaches, and mangroves |
| Impact on human health | Health-related impacts of pollution, such as viruses borne of mosquitoes that breed in the litter |
| Economic impact | $400 billion in income at risk per year, $5 billion in annual trade, 200,000 direct jobs, $2 billion in dive tourism at risk |
| Social impact | Development and quality of life of residents and tourists |
| Solutions | Banning single-use plastics, implementing civic education, improving waste management, raising awareness |
What You'll Learn
Plastic pollution
The Caribbean Sea, known for its beauty and biodiversity, is facing significant plastic pollution challenges. An estimated 70% to 85% of marine litter in the Caribbean Sea originates from land, with plastics being the primary component. This land-based plastic pollution, along with agrochemical runoff and domestic wastewater, is one of the three priority pollutants for the wider Caribbean region. The impact of plastic pollution on the marine environment is severe, affecting coral reefs, marine life, and the overall ocean health.
To address this issue, Caribbean countries have taken proactive measures. Fourteen Caribbean countries, representing one-third of the region's Small Island States, have banned or are considering banning single-use plastics and Styrofoam. Antigua and Barbuda, for instance, implemented a five-phased approach to eliminating plastics, incorporating the ban into existing legislation. Their campaign, "Make a difference one bag at a time," offered government-approved alternatives, resulting in a significant decline in plastic waste at landfills.
Additionally, awareness campaigns have gained momentum in recent years, urging governments and citizens to take action. The Clean Seas campaign by UN Environment, launched in February 2017, aims to tackle the root cause of marine litter by targeting the production and consumption of non-recoverable and single-use plastics. The Global Partnership on Marine Litter, launched at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development Rio+20 in June 2012, brings together various actors to share knowledge and advance solutions. These collective efforts demonstrate the Caribbean's commitment to combating plastic pollution and protecting its fragile marine environment.
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Sewage and waste management
The Caribbean is highly vulnerable to the impacts of marine pollution due to its people's dependence on natural resources and its vast exposed coastlines. Marine pollution in the region includes plastics, sewage, agricultural runoff, gas, oil, and litter.
The Caribbean Environment Programme (CEP) has been instrumental in addressing sewage and waste management issues in the region. Through the GEF-funded "Integrating Watershed and Coastal Areas Management (IWCAM)" project, the CEP supports legislative and policy reform, capacity building, and demonstration projects in Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The CEP also co-chairs the White Water to Blue Water (WW2BW) Partnership Initiative, fostering integrated approaches to wastewater and sanitation management. Additionally, the CEP has 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 countries like Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, and Barbados.
To address the wastewater issue more effectively, the World Resources Institute (WRI) collaborated with the Caribbean Regional Fund for Wastewater Management (GEF CReW) to develop an economic valuation resource guide. This guide assists Caribbean policymakers in evaluating the costs and benefits of investing in improved wastewater management infrastructure and treatment plants. By providing the necessary data and tools, the guide empowers decision-makers to make informed choices that protect the region's citizens, ecosystems, and economy from the adverse effects of untreated wastewater.
The Caribbean is taking steps towards a Blue Economy, aiming for growth while ensuring the sustainable management and use of ocean and marine resources. Fourteen Caribbean countries have banned single-use plastics and/or Styrofoam, recognizing the importance of reducing marine pollution. These collective efforts to address sewage and waste management issues are vital for safeguarding the region's economic, environmental, and social well-being.
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Climate change
The region's coral reefs, beaches, and mangroves are critical for sustainability, economic activities, and inclusive growth. However, they are under increasing threat from the combined effects of marine pollution and climate change. Coral reef degradation, in particular, has severe economic consequences, with an estimated annual revenue loss of between US$350 million and US$870 million for the Caribbean.
The Caribbean's heavy reliance on the sea and marine resources makes it especially vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. The region generates over $400 billion in income per year from the Caribbean Sea, and any disruption to this delicate ecosystem has far-reaching consequences. For example, the region's dive tourism industry, valued at over $2 billion, is at risk due to plastic pollution and marine debris.
To address these challenges, Caribbean countries have taken steps towards a Blue Economy, prioritizing sustainable management and use of ocean and marine resources. Fourteen Caribbean countries have banned single-use plastics and/or Styrofoam, recognizing the need to reduce plastic pollution and its environmental, economic, and social impacts. Additionally, civic education programs and innovative waste management approaches through reusing and repurposing have been implemented. These collective efforts are crucial in mitigating the effects of climate change and protecting the Caribbean's fragile marine environment.
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Oil and chemical pollution
The Caribbean Sea is a major oil transportation route, with about 160 million liters of oil transported daily through the waters of the sub-region. This heavy traffic of ships—approximately 50,000 per year—contributes to the high risk of oil spills in the area. Trinidad and Tobago, with its petroleum-based industry, are particularly vulnerable, and the last major oil spill in this area occurred in 2000, causing short-term damage to coastlines, especially within the Gulf of Paria. The world's largest tanker spill occurred near Trinidad and Tobago in 1979 when two tankers collided, discharging 287,000 tonnes of crude oil into the sea.
In addition to accidental spills, routine operations such as tank washings and the discharge of residuals during ship cleaning contribute to oil pollution. It is estimated that oil discharges from tank washings in the Caribbean could be as high as 7 million barrels per year. This has resulted in significant levels of petroleum pollution, including tar contamination of beaches, high levels of floating tar in current systems, and elevated concentrations of hydrocarbons in surface waters. The presence of tar balls has been reported on the beaches of several Caribbean islands, including Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Bahamas, the Cayman Islands, Curaçao, and Barbados.
The Wider Caribbean Region has also been identified as one of the largest oil-producing areas globally, with major production sites in the Bay of Campeche (Mexico), Lake Maracaibo (Venezuela), and the Gulf of Paria (Trinidad). These production sites are classified as high-risk accident zones, further exacerbating the region's vulnerability to oil spills.
To address oil and chemical pollution, the Caribbean Environment Programme (CEP) has implemented the Convention for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment of the Wider Caribbean Region (Cartagena Convention). This legally binding agreement includes the Oil Spills Protocol, which aims to strengthen regional preparedness and response capacity for oil spills and foster cooperation among nations to prevent and control major incidents. The Regional Marine Pollution Emergency, Information and Training Centre Wider Caribbean (RAC/REMPEITC-Caribe) has been established under the Oil Spill Protocol to support these objectives.
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Agricultural runoff
Marine pollution is a pressing issue in the Caribbean, threatening the region's natural assets, economies, and residents' quality of life. One significant contributor to this pollution is agricultural runoff, which occurs when excess water from irrigation, rainfall, or other sources carries chemicals, sediments, and other pollutants from agricultural lands into nearby water bodies.
In the Caribbean, the intensive cultivation of short-term crops on steep slopes, common in countries like St. Lucia, St. Vincent, and Dominica, can lead to increased sedimentation rates in rivers during the rainy season. Without proper land management practices, such as terracing or contour plowing, these sediments, along with agrochemicals, are washed into rivers and coastal areas, degrading aquatic ecosystems and offshore habitats.
The improper disposal of agricultural waste and the use of agrochemicals, such as pesticides and fertilizers, further exacerbate the problem. When these chemicals enter water bodies, they can cause harmful algal blooms, oxygen depletion, and the contamination of marine life, posing risks to both environmental and human health. Additionally, the runoff can carry excess nutrients, like nitrogen and phosphorus, leading to eutrophication, which disrupts the delicate balance of marine ecosystems.
The impact of agricultural runoff is particularly detrimental to coral reefs, mangroves, and beaches, which are critical for the sustainability of economic activities, jobs, and inclusive growth in the region. For instance, coral reefs provide essential habitats for numerous marine species and protect coastlines from erosion and the impacts of storms. However, pollutants from agricultural runoff can cause coral reef degradation, leading to significant revenue losses for Caribbean economies heavily reliant on tourism and fisheries.
To address the issue of agricultural runoff in the Caribbean, a multifaceted approach is necessary. This includes implementing sustainable agricultural practices, such as conservation tillage, crop rotation, and integrated pest management, to reduce chemical usage and soil erosion. Additionally, improving waste management practices, investing in runoff collection and storage facilities, and promoting the responsible use of agrochemicals through education and regulation can help mitigate the negative impacts of agricultural activities on the region's marine environment. By prioritizing these actions, the Caribbean can move towards a more sustainable and resilient future, protecting its invaluable natural assets and the livelihoods of its residents.
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Frequently asked questions
The Caribbean is exposed to high levels of plastics and other waste products entering its oceanic spaces, which harm marine animals and impact the livelihoods of workers in these spaces. The region is extremely vulnerable to the impacts of marine pollution due to the dependence of its people on natural resources and their close proximity to the ocean.
The Caribbean Sea's $5 billion annual trade, 200,000 direct jobs, 100,000 ancillary services, food security for 40 million coastal inhabitants, and over $2 billion in dive tourism are all at risk. Entire ecosystems and the natural assets these countries depend on are undermined by marine pollution, which includes plastics, sewage, agricultural runoff, gas, and oil.
14 Caribbean countries have banned the use of single-use plastic bags and/or Styrofoam and implemented civic education programs. Communities have also created organizations to reduce the impacts of pollution, such as Jamaica's Guardians of the Green JA, which promotes a sustainable future.
