Caribbean Islands

In the Caribbean, there is a heavy reliance on single-use packaging such as styrofoam takeout containers to plastic beverage bottles. Most islands lack the sufficient landfill space, recycling infrastructure, and waste collection services to keep up with the amount of waste being generated. All too often, this trash ends up littering the region's beautiful beaches and oceans where it endangers turtles, seabirds, and other marine species. But this rubbish is not the only form of pollution threatening the Caribbean’s marine ecosystems. Up to 85% of wastewater that is discharged in the Caribbean Sea is untreated. Through our work, we aim to engage both visitors and local communities in more responsible consumption practices to prevent further harm caused by waste and pollution.

Learn more about our work to tackle waste and pollution.

The coastal communities of the Caribbean are particularly susceptible to the impacts of climate change. As hurricanes become more severe and sea levels rise, prized beaches may erode into the sea. All of the hotels, ports, and restaurants along the coast stand directly in harm's way. Additionally, warming ocean temperatures endanger the coral reefs that provide food, flood protection, and income to local communities. In order to minimize these threats and become more resilient, Caribbean island destinations must actively adapt to the changing climate.

Discover how climate change is impacting destinations around the world.

Though the Caribbean is a booming tourism economy, local communities aren't reaping as many benefits as they should be. As much as 80% of tourism spending in the Caribbean leaves the economy rather than staying in local hands. This is due in part to the fact that many tourists buy their excursions and meals from foreign-owned cruise lines and all-inclusive resorts rather than patronizing local businesses. Furthermore, most of the food and other products used in tourism are imported from abroad rather than from local farmers and manufacturers. There is an opportunity to create stronger linkages between local businesses and the tourism market to increase benefits for Caribbean communities.

With sun, sea, and sand taking center stage, the distinct cultural traditions and identities of the Caribbean islands are often overlooked and under-celebrated. Yet the islands are steeped in culture and history, from victorious slave rebellions and plantation ruins to lively music and dance. There is an opportunity to create culturally rich tourism experiences that amplify the islands' unique stories, showcase their authentic traditions, and promote the preservation of local heritage resources.

Though the Caribbean islands are surrounded by vast expanses of seawater, freshwater is a scarce resource in the region. Due to their small size, the islands have limited freshwater resources to begin with. Compound this with nearly 50 million tourists consuming water each year, and the decreasing rainfall and rising temperatures brought on by climate change and it's the perfect recipe for a water crisis. In some Caribbean destinations, the demand for water already exceeds the local supply. In fact, seven of the top 16 water-stressed countries in the world are Caribbean islands. There is a need to decrease the amount of pressure that tourism puts on local water resources to ensure there is enough to go around.

Learn more about tourism and resource consumption.

In the Caribbean, tourism activities and development tends to be concentrated in coastal areas. This often results in the destruction and degradation of the islands' highly sensitive coastal and marine ecosystems. Mangroves, coral reefs, and other coastal habitats are often removed to construct beach resorts and piers. Careless boaters and tourists also cause damage to the region's precious reefs, while overfishing is pushing many marine species towards extinction.

Learn more about the consequences of destructive tourism development.