Climate
change scientists expect that the frequency and severity
of extreme weather events will increase further in years
to come. They also tell that climate change is not only
a serious threat of
the future, It is already happening here and now.
Scientists have been taken by surprise by the short intervals
between extreme weather events, such as floods and hurricanes
throughout Region in consecutive years.
This trend towards
extreme climatic events has prompted Caribbean Red Cross
Societies to gear up now for the imminent risk that people
throughout the Region are facing.
Are Caribbean Red Cross Societies prepared to respond
to these disasters, and what role should they play in preparing
and advocating for climate change? Is it within the mandate
of the Red Cross to make climate change part of their preparedness,
response and early warning systems?
The answer is clear: yes – the Red Cross must make
it part of its core work in disaster preparedness and response.
It
was felt to be important that the Red Cross understands
the trends caused by climate change, informs the public
of the risks involved, and prepares itself to respond to
more frequent weather-induced disasters through its community-based
network.
WHAT WE KNOW…
- Sea Level Rising
- More droughts
- More intense rainfall leading to floods and landslides
- Coral reefs bleaching
- More intense hurricanes with possibly storm surges
and heavy rainfall
- More dengue, malaria, lepto, typhoid
- GREATER UNCERTAINTY!!!
What’s at risk……
The Future LIFE AS WE KNOW IT
We want to do…
- Raise awareness among the Caribbean people about the
risks of climate change and how we can prepare
- Look at our lives and households.
Ask Questions…..
- Can we use our water smarter; install easy and cheap
water catchment systems? Is our house in a flood prone
area and what can we do to reduce the damage when a flood
comes?
- Can we plant trees to prevent landslides?
- Can we improve our early warning system for hurricanes
and other risks and do we know what to do when a hurricane
comes?
- How can we be smarter I our use of energy, so that
we help to prevent further climate change?
We can do something – as
individuals, communities, countries, and a region
- Let’s talk
- Let’s work together
- Let’s plan
- Climate change is great risk, together we can face
it
- One Caribbean- In Unity There is Strength
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