Caribbean Export OUTLOOK 3rd Edition

29 Pulse of the Caribbean

Dominica in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria / Photo courtesy of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA)

just from hydrometeorological events, but also geophysical events like earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, perhaps the focus should not only be on climate change-related disasters, but on a wider disaster management and resilience framework, policy and legislation to foment a more holistic and integrated disaster management approach and not create silos.This is a conversation that is taking place in other SIDS, allowing for the opportunity to share best practices and lessons learnt. For example, Pacific Forum Leaders endorsed the Framework for Resilient Development in the Pacific (FRDP) which speaks to both climate and geophysical-related disasters. Rebuilding, as in the case of Dominica, provides the opportunity to have a fresh start at incorporating resilience. The challenge comes where changes have to be made to already existing plants. However, while retrofitting may be expensive in the short term, the long-termbenefits outweigh these short-term costs. National building codes need to be continuously updated to reflect best practices for resilience and energy-efficiency in the design and construction of housing and road infrastructure, for example. Funded by the European Union through OCES/GCCA Project on Climate Change Adaption (CCA) and Sustainable Land Management in the Eastern Caribbean, the Government of Dominica has produced a document on best practices for building hurricane-resistant infrastructure. At the micro-level, such as the level of households and firms, there needs to be education about disaster-proofing and efficiency measures. Small states’ contribution to anthropogenic climate change is miniscule, but they are on the front line of a battle threatening to undermine their sustainable development.

The policy orientation must be about resilience-focused development. Thankfully, Caribbean governments have resolved not to be passive victims or mere survivors, but to lead the charge.

Endnotes 1. http://www.noaa.gov/media-release/harvey-irma-maria-and-nate-retired-by- world-meteorological-organization 2. http://www.noaa.gov/media-release/forecasters-predict-near-or-above- normal-2018-atlantic-hurricane-season 3. http://www.worldbank.org/en/country/caribbean/overview 4. https://weather.com/storms/hurricane/news/hurricane-maria-one-of-most- intense-atlantic-hurricanes 5. https://resilientcaribbean.caricom.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/ DOMINICA-EXECUTIVE-SUMMARY.pdf 6. http://sdwebx.worldbank.org/climateportal/documents/CLIMATE_ SMART_GRD.pdf 7. https://www.wttc.org/-/media/files/reports/2018/caribbean-recovery- report---full-report.pdf 8. https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NE.TRD.GNFS.ZS 9. https://www.dominicavibes.dm/featured-239231/