By DENISE MAYCOCK
Tribune Freeport Reporter
dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
The Bahamas is at risk of losing 80 percent of its landmass in the next eight decades due to the current pace of global warming, according to Bahamian T Oneil Johnson Jr.
“I want to make this abundantly clear, The Bahamas is perhaps one of the most vulnerable countries to sea-level rise,” he stressed, as he spoke on the topic, ‘Climate Change - the Reality of Our Warming World’ to the Rotary of Club of Grand Bahama via Zoom.
Mr Johnson - who has a Master’s Degree in Foreign Impact of Hurricanes and Climate Change on Education – said Climate Change is real and threatens The Bahamas, the Caribbean and other small countries.
He noted that sea level is projected to rise by as much as one metre by 2100. Eighty percent of The Bahamas’ landmass is less than one metre above sea level, he said.
“The Bahamas is at risk of losing 80 percent of its landmass by 2100 if sea level continues to rise the way that it is,” Mr Johnson warned.
“Sea level rise, which we are hearing more and more about in The Bahamas, is perhaps one of the most vexing concerns for small island developing states because most of us are very low-lying.”
Countries, such as Guyana is at risk of losing 90 percent of its landmass if sea levels were to rise one metre, and Guam, the US Territory is already experiencing the impact on sea-level rise, Mr Johnson pointed out.
The US, he added, is also at risk of losing 40 percent of its landmass in Florida.
Mr Johnson said greenhouse gases caused by pollution in the atmosphere are responsible for global warming, which is causing glaciers to melt around the world.
He noted that countries such as China and the US are mainly at fault, with the former accounting for more than one-quarter of global emission of greenhouse gases, and the latter 14 percent, while the rest of the world contributes less than 22 percent of emission.
Mr Johnson indicated The Bahamas’ emission is 0.001 percent. “So obviously, we are not causing global warming and we are not causing climate change,” he said.
Most of the information on climate change can be obtained from the Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change (ITCC), which is an international agreement containing information regarding CC, said Johnson, who noted that Bahamian Dr Dell Thomas is a contributing author to the panel on CC.
“It is unbelievable to know the state that the world is in,” said the senior officer in the Ministry of Disaster Preparedness, Management ,and Reconstruction in Grand Bahama.
Other threats of climate change, he mentioned are ocean acidification and more intense hurricanes.
Referring to Hurricane Dorian “as one of the strongest recorded in the Atlantic basin in modern history,” Mr Johnson said the increase in ferocity and strength of these systems as they pass through The Bahamas is a serious concern for climate scientists.
“No longer are we seeing weak Category Three storms like Jeanne, Wilma and Ike - we are now seeing these explosive Category 5 storms, like Dorian and Irma. And it begs the question, is Dorian going to be our new reality? I think last year was a humbling experience for The Bahamas and it shows us we must really take serious action,” he said..
Climate change also impacts all sectors of the economy from Agriculture, Tourism, and Education.
Caribbean countries are experiencing extreme drought more than ever before, such as Barbados, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent, and the Grenadines, said Johnson.
He stated that the Tourism sector is going to be crippled by the sun, sand, and sea.
“According to exit surveys, tourists are now complaining about the heat in Caribbean countries. This is, of course, very concerning because we are expected to see an increase in temperature,and tourism is the lifeblood, the bread and butter of many economies in our region,” he said.
In terms of education, Mr Johnson said if The Bahamas has more hurricanes children are going to be out of the classroom for more extended periods.
Mr Johnson said that all is not lost as there are things that can be done to mitigate the effects of climate change, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions by requiring countries like America, Japan, European Union by resorting to more environmentally friendly means of doing business, with renewable energy.
Adaptation by reducing The Bahamas’ vulnerability and enhancing resilience is another weapon in the war against climate change, according to Mr Johnson.
“This could range from building sea walls, which I am totally against, to research, preventative measures, and passing legislation and environmental laws, mangrove rehabilitation and restoration, he said.
Mr Johnson commended the government for the establishment of the Ministry of Disaster Preparedness, Management, and Reconstruction and Disaster Reconstruction Authority. “It is the first institution of its kind in the region,” he said.
Mr Johnson has a Master's Degree in Natural Resources and Environmental Management, specialising in Climate Change. He is currently doing his PHD in Disaster and Crisis Management.
Comments
Porcupine 3 years, 7 months ago
This has been news for the last 30 years. There is nothing that can be done now. Why? Because we have not developed the brain power needed to cope with these issues. One misleading metric in Mr Johnson's interview is where "he indicated The Bahamas’ emission is 0.001 percent. “So obviously, we are not causing global warming and we are not causing climate change,” he said." This is simply because we don't have the population. But, to say that we are not causing global warming and climate change is extremely disingenuous. Our habits and lifestyles are precisely what needs to change. There is no debate here. Our mentality here in The Bahamas is exactly the same as it is in the countries that have caused the most emissions. Basically, it is this. Climate change is a hoax. Nobody will tell me what kind of car I can drive and they certainly won't tell me we need to change our economy. God has determined our fate and humans can't see it. It's fake news. If The Bahamas population were scaled up beyond that of a small city, we would be as culpable as any nation in the world in creating this situation and then, denying it even exists. This is the result of a country, any country, of largely uneducated, don't give a shit, uncaring people. Here, or our neighbor to the north. We are the same. Quit thinking in 8 decades for a 3 foot rise in sea level. By the time our 5 year olds are 25 years old The Bahamas may very well be undone by the sea level rise, displacing tens of thousands, the collapse of our economy with no visionary leaders and no skilled labor force, the decline or collapse of our conch, crawfish and fin fisheries, the social disintegration that we are starting to see, even now. You don't have to be a genius to see what is coming. But, you do have to do a little reading and give a shit. We don't seem to do either.
rodentos 3 years, 7 months ago
you cant even handle such basic issues as garbage in the Bahamas. Look at the streets, people drive by and throw their empty coke or wendy's plastic out of the window! No way they can ever understand climate change without speaking about changing anything. Just stupid like hell
exclusivezayy239 3 years, 3 months ago
you are so stupid smt
Proguing 3 years, 7 months ago
Maybe we should stop burning bunker C fuel to produce electricity when there are several clean energy solutions available?
rodentos 3 years, 7 months ago
tell that to the government. All they do is to bring more oil companies in to the Bahamas. They should have renewable strategy by now but have none
joeblow 3 years, 7 months ago
While people talk about seal level rise and man made 'global warming', nobody talks about new island formation, increased subaquatic volcanic activity causing melting of polar ice or plate tectonic activity in the whole equation. But I bet the issue is a simple man made problem that will be solved by more solar panels and electric vehicles!!
Porcupine 3 years, 7 months ago
That is not the point joeblow. The point is, without doubt, that there are things we can do to make things a little bit better. Possibly a lot better, for humanity and other life forms on this planet. Why isn't that enough? You are right that clinging to our consumption habits and going "green" will not change anything. We must realize that we must read the science and act accordingly. We, as a world, cannot even discuss the smallest change to our consumption habits for the benefit of our children. This is one of the saddest realities I have been faced with in my 60+ years. We just don't seem to give a shit. We are getting dumber and more callous, by any metric. What explains the explosive economic inequality facing humanity today? A fantastic economic system, or God's design that some people are just "smarter", like our web shop owners, and are destined to rule the world and heaven. Joeblow, I read most of your comments. You can think this one out. We are under-performing, in this country, in almost any metric there is, be it education, health matters, economic security, honesty and transparency, child rearing, violence, theft, and on. At what point will we wake up? I am being honest here. You don't refine your NBA game by practicing with small children. Where are the thinkers in this country for the rest of us to hone our game? Clear thinking is little different from any other human endeavor. It takes practice, practice, practice. What exactly do we really practice in this country other than to tear our brothers and sisters down? Be honest.
joeblow 3 years, 7 months ago
... my only point was that some of these issues are more complex than many would let on. We live an an age of propaganda where those with the largest megaphones and wallets are able to shape human thought and consequently human behavior with their perceptions of truth. Can we make decisions to make things better, of course, but the issue at the heart of all inequality in the world is self-centeredness or self interest. Man is hardwired for it and that is why no economic system can create true equality. That is why people will exploit both human and natural resources for their own benefit. Only a change of heart can alter the cataclysmic course mankind is on because of that. Education can help, but it is only a band-aid because self interest always oozes through . How the heart of man can change is a separate discussion.
hrysippus 3 years, 7 months ago
It is good that this challenge to our country's existence is now mainstream news. I have been concerned and talking about climate change for decades, and it is the reason why it was a mistake to allow the British to make us an independent country; we can no longer count on their support to relocate our citizenry when the inevitable happens and the Bahamas is no longer a viable place to sustain human life. In the short term we could learn some sea management lessons from the Dutch.
joeblow 3 years, 7 months ago
... so you have at least 80 years, based on the prognosticators, before you will need a snorkel to eat breakfast in your kitchen!
Hoda 3 years, 7 months ago
Doesnt seem like WE - the masses - are prepared to learn/do anything about this "inconvenient truth". WE were here rowing over and politicising plastic bags. The fact is we have some ignorant positions that we take in this country and we are not going to change anytime soon.
Porcupine 3 years, 7 months ago
You mean like drilling for oil?
Hoda 3 years, 7 months ago
Yes,the impacts of fossil fuels is not up for debate. However, do you expect your countryman to care when they carrying on about no longer having access to free thin plastic bags. You cant love the environment so much but not be aware of the impact that plastic waste has - in particular marine life.
Anthonydupuch 3 years, 7 months ago
The one solution to assist with the Bahamas reduction in using carbon based fuels is hamstrung by the government regulation. Solar is ideal power generation for us but the red tape makes it uneconomic
tribanon 3 years, 7 months ago
I would be much more concerned about the LNG terminal facility our government is proposing to let Shell North America build on the western side of New Providence. Shell was prevented from building similar terminals along the eastern seaboard of the US by various US states because of fears associated with the potential KABOOM! risk. LNG is a most volatile explosive if not constantly kept in its more stable cooled liquid state.
Clamshell 3 years, 7 months ago
Some days I would swear we could power the entire nation just by burning the takeout cartons and Wendy’s wrappers that Bahamians throw on the ground every day.
Chucky 3 years, 7 months ago
Fake news story full of lies.
If anyone and where really believes this, they themselves would take action. Not to mention that no one single country has even taking the simplest of action.
If you believe, then he guess you already stopped driving and have permanently parked your car. You’ve stopped flying. Sold your boat. You don’t buy any products you don’t absolutely need. Etc.
I guess you don’t eat beef ( cow & methane). You don’t use a/c or partake in its use in public spaces.
What a pile of BS.
If any government believes in this, private jets, tourism, coal burning etc etc would all have been banned.
Florida underwater, the Bahamas gone, all in 80 years.
lol. Good luck.
bogart 3 years, 7 months ago
Very good article on the aspect of Climate change and rising seas can cover 80% over years.
Another major aspect at any time is the now learning experiencing Cat 5 ferocity of a Hurricane and close proximity they can travel, the lengthy duration it can stay over a spot whichinin seems....... no time worrying three feet rising over next 80 years when one mudda of all hurricanes an other(s) just behind pay a visit.
The Bahamas being a well known nation in Caribbean region and also known for Hurricane activity especially after Dorian Hurricane, the Authorities should create, establish Climate Change Centre/School/Research/Studies Centre to best options, actions, relating as it affects Bahamas and other sister nations in the Caribbean region. Seems so far the Bahamas and Caribbean depend on nations in Europe and the US to be the ones of spagetti lines on tv where hurricanes and weather affect the Bahamas and Caribbean. There must be some created centre for planning of nations future regarding Climate Changes rather than free for all.
The_Oracle 3 years, 7 months ago
80% in 80 years, Yp, we gonna worry about that when we cannot think beyond lunch. Right. Yep, renewable energy. Still don't have a national policy. WE have BPL/BEC and URCA gerrymandering pea soup.
bogart 3 years, 7 months ago
Very critical observation you mention in 80% in 80 years....which further opens up other concerns.
What needs is for researchers producing Bahamas Topographic Maps, models showing ....best projected per gradual inches...feet, levels of water rising ....and roads, settlements, airports, man made facilities etc being likely flooded. ie raising concerns on various islands would water wells affected, agriculture farmlands, schools, clinics, airport flooded, key roads flooded in spots etcetc. Topographic maps showing at certain water levels which settlements more impacted versus other islands impanted etc. Map should include areas where Bahamas gets or have main trading points in the US etc.
Concerns from Topographic maps and flooding at vatious levels might show at ...years before 80 years present settlements islands facilities/use may be ....spaced years apart being affected ...or... great numbers majority being critically affected. And Authorities at critical future from currupted wastages, misallocations, continued funding of continued money losing enterprises, buring through money etc ....able to make mabye present or next generation ..its the peoples time.
DWW 3 years, 7 months ago
airplanes are one of top sources of polution - how do our tourist get here?
tribanon 3 years, 7 months ago
Bingo!
rodentos 3 years, 7 months ago
they float on coconut shales
exclusivezayy239 3 years, 3 months ago
SMT WHAT WILL THE FUTURE GENERATIONS HAVE IF NO ONE IS MAKING AN EFFORT , I AM ONLY 13 YEARS OLD , THE BAHAMAS IS GOING UNDER WATER DUE TO RISING SEA LEVELS !! and yall ain't doing anything when we get wash into the atlantic ocean yall gone know . tired of minnis he need to start working .. stressing me tf out! don't run to haiti when the bahamas is underwater that's all im saying .
dingodog 1 year, 4 months ago
As the Bahamas are now an independent country ,when the crisis hits there will be no place to move to. No amount of money is going to fix this issue as the island is to low to survive sea level rises and ontop of this when cyclones hit the island will be even in a worse situation. What needs to be done is finding a suitable country or countries that will allow resettlement over the next 80 years so people have a chance to relocate before the inevitable happens. Instead of money being spent trying to extend the life of the Bahamas which will be futile. The money would be better used as seed money for the population to establish a new life elsewhere.
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