How the Caribbean Fared at the UN Climate Summit in New York

By: Caribbean Journal Staff - October 7, 2014

By Michael W Beck, PhD
CJ Contributor

It was a momentous week recently in New York City at the United Nations (UN) Climate Summit.

The purpose of the Summit was to build energy, momentum and commitments towards a new global plan for addressing climate change at the forthcoming meeting of world leaders in Paris in 2015.

In building towards that ambition, the summit was a success.

Governments and businesses made numerous tangible commitments to mitigate emissions and to help nations adapt to change.

China, the global leader in carbon pollution, committed for the first time to capping its carbon emissions.

Cargill, one of the largest agricultural companies in the world, pledged to protect forests across their agricultural supply chains.

And 400,000 people marched in the streets to hold leaders accountable.

Tuesday’s UN Session on Resilience was critical for the governmental commitments that got made; many of high relevance to the Caribbean.

I watched live on UN Web TV; while perhaps not the most gripping TV ever, it was meaningful nonetheless.

During the session, Grenada Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell was again a champion for the risks faced by many small island nations. He represents the Caribbean well.  He consistently articulated that many northern nations must come good on their pledges to help and that island nations must build more sustainable alternative energy futures.

I’m encouraged to say that recently there has been real movement on both those fronts.

Further, reinsurance industry leader Swiss Re, committed 10 Billion dollars (USD) to advise 50 countries and municipalities on climate risk resilience by 2020, and to have offered them protection of USD 10 Billion against this risk. This commitment is significant for the Caribbean because the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF) is one of the key examples cited by the insurers of where and how they think they can help. From a conservation perspective, CCRIF and Swiss Re have been leaders in highlighting that investments in mangroves and coral reefs can be cost-effective for natural defense. In the same session, the Rockefeller Foundation committed to a $150 million dollar partnership with USAID and the Swedish International Development Agency to help develop resilient solutions for many nations across South and South East Asia.

And full disclosure, I watched the UN Resilience Session in part because The Nature Conservancy’s work on building Coastal Resilience won an award from the UN Office of Disaster Risk Reduction for software tools that help assess and reduce disaster risk. The app, Coastal Defense, helps people identify the coastal protection value of reefs and wetlands and to design restoration solutions to help enhance coastal defense. We developed the work with a team including the University of California Santa Cruz, Natural Capital Project, the U.S. Geological Survey and others.

Overall the news from New York was great. Governments, businesses, foundations and NGOs are taking climate change seriously.

We are seeing movement from excuses to the exploration of opportunities and real solutions.

Most importantly for the region, we might actually get real support to the nations that it need it most – particularly those across the Caribbean facing major climate risks.

Michael Beck is Lead Marine Scientist at The Nature Conservancy.

Popular Posts ian fleming villa with beach and green trees

American Airlines Begins New Ocho Rios, Jamaica Flights, With a Nod to James Bond 

Ian Fleming began writing the book that would become Casino Royale at his seaside villa in the town of Oracabessa, Jamaica in February 1952.  It was here on the outskirts of Ocho Rios that Fleming would forge the story of […]


A New All-Inclusive W Hotel Is Opening This Year in Punta Cana 

w punta cana

The first-ever all-inclusive W Hotel in the Caribbean is opening this year in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, Caribbean Journal has learned.  The hotel, part of a broad expansion for parent company Marriott International, is on the list of expected 2024 […]


Why Grenada Is a New Caribbean Luxury Hotspot

beach house silversands

From its world-renowned chocolate to its pristine beaches to a region-leading focus on sustainability, Grenada is as fascinating and unique as destination as you’ll find in the Caribbean.  But in the last few years, the lush Eastern Caribberan island has […]


Related Posts magazine beach grenada

Caribbean Moment: Magazine Beach, Grenada

Grenada is known for many things: its chocolate, its rum, its lush rainforest, its world-class cuisine. What you may not realize is just how beautiful the island’s beaches are, from its signature Grand Anse Beach to lesser-known coastlines like Magazine […]


Caribbean Photo of the Week: Frederiksted, St Croix

frederiksted st croix

The latest Caribbean Photo comes fro Caribbean Journal reader Eric Schaeffer, who sent in this lovely shot while walking in Frederiksted, St Croix, USVI. Have you taken a great photo in the Caribbean? Send it to news@caribjournal.com with CPOTW in […]


JW Marriott Just Opened Its First Caribbean Beach Resort in St Maarten 

jw marriott st maarten

It was arguably the most high-profile resort on the Dutch side of St Maarten: the Westin Dawn Beach resort, set on one of the most beautiful shorelines on the island and the area’s most famous branded hotel.  Then that unwelcome […]


SUBSCRIBE!

Sign up for Caribbean Journal's free newsletter for a daily dose of beaches, hotels, rum and the best Caribbean travel information on the net.


No. Thank You