Habitat protection
Take Dominica, for example. The “Nature Isle” of the Caribbean hosts approximately 175 bird and 1,226 plant species over its small area, many of which are endemic to the region. In order
to protect its biodiversity, Dominica has legally protected 25 per cent of its forest land and established biosphere reserves alongside UNESCO.
Elsewhere, St Kitts and Nevis has made strides to preserve the country’s famed marine life. Dwindling coral reefs have been restored by
Beach Addiction conservation schemes, setting up beach cleans to reduce tourist litter and awarding sailing lessons to the youth as an incentive to keep the shores in good condition. The community manages invasive species in the area via fishing competitions and educational programmes, further spreading awareness of the importance of ecosystem monitoring and regulation.
Tourism
Tourism is one of the largest sources of income for countries in the Caribbean. In the year prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, the sector accounted for
over 14 per cent of Caribbean GDP and contributed $58 billion to its economy. Crucially, the islands owe much of their tourist appeal to the beauty of their natural surroundings and highly biodiverse ecosystems, making environmental preservation a top priority.
Ecotourism across the Caribbean
Ecotourism resorts have helped the Caribbean to establish its environmentally-friendly and attract tourists looking to make a difference with their leisure trips. Secret Bay Dominica was recently named the number one resort hotel in the Caribbean, Bermuda and the Bahamas by the
Travel and Leisure Magazine, which praised its sustainably-made eco-lodges and tranquil jungle setting.
Also Read:
What is Dominica doing to ensure a climate resilient future?
Sustainable development
The rise of ecotourism has also helped to supplement wider sustainability efforts in the Caribbean, encouraging states to work toward
Sustainable Development Goals. Low-carbon tourist hotspots such as the
Oualie Beach Resort in St Kitts and Nevis offer a number of initiatives to tackle extensive fossil fuel and single-use good consumption. For example, solar panels have been installed to power water heating, glass recycling schemes have been implemented, and water-saving techniques are in use.
Environmentally-friendly power is the priority for the sun-soaked islands, as Saint Lucia looks to expand solar, geothermal and wind
energy investment, while St Kitts and Nevis plans to switch to
100 per cent renewable energy.
