12
of climate change through the disruption of existing agricultural production and tourism. Climate
change is negatively influencing the economy of
SIS across all geographic regions, precisely when
most of their population and infrastructure are
located on the coastal zone (Simpson et al. 2010;
CARIBSAVE 2012; Nurse et al. 2014).
Impact of Climate Change
on Agriculture
There is a range of climate-related factors affecting the agriculture sectors in SIDS. Climate
change is likely to negatively affect the most critical components of the agriculture sector
(CCCCC 2014). Anthropogenic climate variability and change present additional stressors. High
temperatures will have severe consequences for
the agriculture sector by prolonging the extended
drought period. However, despite more significant precipitation projected during storms and
other peak periods, more frequent and extended
periods of droughts are expected in some parts of
the SIDS, especially in the Pacific (Bueno et al.
2008). In light of the development challenges
facing the region, Schleussner and colleagues
(2016) argued that the impact of climate change
represents a fundamental challenge for security
and sustainable livelihoods and possesses the
capacity to trigger new poverty traps for several
countries in the region.
Decreases in precipitation and increases in
drought and invasive species worsen the challenges facing agriculture, which researchers
claimed would have severe implications for sustainable agriculture production and food security
in SIDS (CARIBSAVE 2012; IPCC 2014a, b;
Nurse et al. 2014). A better understanding of the
vulnerability of the agriculture sector to climate
change would guide policymakers and planners
to develop CCA strategies to increase the resilience of the agriculture sector to the new changing climate conditions.
Economic projections for agriculture production are based on a complex interplay of a set of
factors, including physical response to the soil,
climate and chemical processes such as nutrient
and water availability. These are also influenced
by human and development practices (Schleussner
et al. 2016). Although some studies suggest a difference in productivity for some crops due to
higher carbon concentrations, there still exist significant uncertainties regarding temperature sensitivity, nutrient and water limitations, the
difference in regional responses and interactions
between the various factors (Schleussner et al.
2016).
Impact of Climate Change on Tourism
The tourism industry in SIDS is very vulnerable
to the effects of climate change, which can
severely affect the natural resources base of these
islands (Economist 2017; Fieser 2017) as the
industry is entirely dependent on the “existence of
attractive beaches and other natural areas and
comfortable weather conditions,” (Bueno et al.
2008:9). For example, in the Caribbean, over 80%
of tourists are from the United States of America,
Canada and Europe. Therefore, most of them may
choose to vacation closer to home if the northern
winters become milder in the future. The tourism
infrastructure (hotels and mariners) in most SIDS
is located in coastal areas; consequently, SLR and
increased storms are impacting negatively on the
beaches and tourism infrastructure.
The destruction of coral reefs will have serious economic consequences on small island
economies regarding its negative impact on fisheries and tourism. These natural resources are the
main factors attracting tourists to these shores
(Scott et al. 2007; Bueno et al. 2008; UN-OHRLLS
2015). A survey of visitors to two Caribbean
island destinations found 80% of respondents
would not revisit the island for the same price if
the environmental attractions (coral reefs and
beaches respectively) were negatively impacted
by climate change (Uyarra et al. 2005). Therefore,
any destruction of this sector will have severe
economic and social consequences for youth
unemployment and the overall development of
the region.
2 Interrogation of the Literature on the Impact of Climate Change on Youth in SIDS,…
of climate change through the disruption of existing agricultural production and tourism. Climate
change is negatively influencing the economy of
SIS across all geographic regions, precisely when
most of their population and infrastructure are
located on the coastal zone (Simpson et al. 2010;
CARIBSAVE 2012; Nurse et al. 2014).
Impact of Climate Change
on Agriculture
There is a range of climate-related factors affecting the agriculture sectors in SIDS. Climate
change is likely to negatively affect the most critical components of the agriculture sector
(CCCCC 2014). Anthropogenic climate variability and change present additional stressors. High
temperatures will have severe consequences for
the agriculture sector by prolonging the extended
drought period. However, despite more significant precipitation projected during storms and
other peak periods, more frequent and extended
periods of droughts are expected in some parts of
the SIDS, especially in the Pacific (Bueno et al.
2008). In light of the development challenges
facing the region, Schleussner and colleagues
(2016) argued that the impact of climate change
represents a fundamental challenge for security
and sustainable livelihoods and possesses the
capacity to trigger new poverty traps for several
countries in the region.
Decreases in precipitation and increases in
drought and invasive species worsen the challenges facing agriculture, which researchers
claimed would have severe implications for sustainable agriculture production and food security
in SIDS (CARIBSAVE 2012; IPCC 2014a, b;
Nurse et al. 2014). A better understanding of the
vulnerability of the agriculture sector to climate
change would guide policymakers and planners
to develop CCA strategies to increase the resilience of the agriculture sector to the new changing climate conditions.
Economic projections for agriculture production are based on a complex interplay of a set of
factors, including physical response to the soil,
climate and chemical processes such as nutrient
and water availability. These are also influenced
by human and development practices (Schleussner
et al. 2016). Although some studies suggest a difference in productivity for some crops due to
higher carbon concentrations, there still exist significant uncertainties regarding temperature sensitivity, nutrient and water limitations, the
difference in regional responses and interactions
between the various factors (Schleussner et al.
2016).
Impact of Climate Change on Tourism
The tourism industry in SIDS is very vulnerable
to the effects of climate change, which can
severely affect the natural resources base of these
islands (Economist 2017; Fieser 2017) as the
industry is entirely dependent on the “existence of
attractive beaches and other natural areas and
comfortable weather conditions,” (Bueno et al.
2008:9). For example, in the Caribbean, over 80%
of tourists are from the United States of America,
Canada and Europe. Therefore, most of them may
choose to vacation closer to home if the northern
winters become milder in the future. The tourism
infrastructure (hotels and mariners) in most SIDS
is located in coastal areas; consequently, SLR and
increased storms are impacting negatively on the
beaches and tourism infrastructure.
The destruction of coral reefs will have serious economic consequences on small island
economies regarding its negative impact on fisheries and tourism. These natural resources are the
main factors attracting tourists to these shores
(Scott et al. 2007; Bueno et al. 2008; UN-OHRLLS
2015). A survey of visitors to two Caribbean
island destinations found 80% of respondents
would not revisit the island for the same price if
the environmental attractions (coral reefs and
beaches respectively) were negatively impacted
by climate change (Uyarra et al. 2005). Therefore,
any destruction of this sector will have severe
economic and social consequences for youth
unemployment and the overall development of
the region.
2 Interrogation of the Literature on the Impact of Climate Change on Youth in SIDS,…