The main climate change impacts affecting the Caribbean nations, most of which are small island developing states, include rising sea levels, coral reef degradation, and increasing frequency and intensity of hurricanes. According to UNEP’s Adaptation Gap Report, the current adaptation finance flows to developing countries are 5-10 times below estimated needs, which are around US$160-340 billion by 2030 and US$315-565 billion by 2050. The latest science shows that climate change is accelerating faster than previously thought, and the need for reliable adaptation solutions has never been more urgent, especially in the developing world, where communities are generally more vulnerable to climate shocks. The fact you are resilient means you're in a position to assist them.” "Let's say that your neighbour is not able to get a loan just yet. He says the hardening of his home also serves the wider community. When electricity is shut down during hurricanes in Antigua, Best still has power. Randy Best, a father-of-three and an employee of the National Housing Development Company, used his US$13,000 loan to install a solar panel system on his roof, accompanied by a battery system to store power. The project has targeted first responders, like police and firefighters, who are obligated to continue working during hurricanes, keeping the country afloat while everyone else takes refuge in their homes. “The default rate is very low in this community-run system.” “It offers the homeowner a very long period of time to pay back the loan, and they don’t have to provide collateral,” said Black-Layne. Once repaid, the funds assist another family, perpetuating a cycle of community resilience.īlack-Layne speaks passionately about the project, saying it has helped residents reinforce roofs, install hurricane shutters, buy rainwater storage tanks and outfit their homes with solar panels. Traditional home insurance is practically out of reach due to escalating climate risks.Īddressing this, the Antigua and Barbuda Department of Environment has been working with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to roll out a revolving loans programme, which allows residents to obtain low-interest loans for hurricane-proofing their homes. It was traumatic.”Īs climate change feeds increasingly frequent hurricanes in the Caribbean, the immediate concern for many in Antigua is accessing the finance needed to toughen their homes. “We’d never experienced anything like it. “I still get goose pimples thinking about it,” said Diann Black-Layne, the Director of the country’s Department of Environment. As the skies cleared and the world began to comprehend Irma's ferocity, a chilling question arose – could Antigua, with a population 50 times that of Barbuda, face the same fate? “I have just witnessed a level of devastation that I have never seen in my life,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres following a visit to the island.Īround 50km to the south lies Antigua, Barbuda's twin in the sovereign island nation of Antigua and Barbuda. Around 95 per cent of Barbuda’s buildings were wrecked, including homes, schools and critical infrastructure. The island’s only storm shelter collapsed, with 300 people hiding inside. In 2017, Hurricane Irma, a Category 5 leviathan of unprecedented power, roared across its pristine turquoise waters. The Caribbean island of Barbuda still bears the battle scars of its most brutal encounter with climate change.
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