Overview

Jamaica is an island in the Caribbean Sea, located approximately 145 kilometers from Cuba. The island is 230 kilometers long and 80 kilometers wide, with a population of around 2.8 million; approximately 22 per cent of its inhabitants live below the poverty line (MWH and NMS, 2000; USDS, 2010). Jamaica has several rugged mountain ranges, with the highest point, the Blue Mountain Peak, soaring over 2,256 metres (7,402 feet).

  • National Communication (NC)

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    Key Vulnerabilities
    • Agriculture/Food Security
    • Coastal Zones and Marine Ecosystems
    • Water Resources
    Potential Adaptation Measures

    Agriculture and Food Security

    • Educational & outreach activities to change management practices to those suited to climate change
    • Switch to different cultivars
    • Improve and conserve soils
    • Enhance irrigation efficiency and/or expand irrigation
    • Develop new crops
    • Develop and introduce policy measures, including taxes, subsidies, facilitation of free market
    • Develop early warning systems and disaster preparedness
    • Improve pest and disease forecast and control

    Water Resources

    • Increase water supply, e.g. by using groundwater, building reservoirs, improving or stabilizing watershed management, desalination
    • Decrease water demands, e.g. by increasing efficiency, reducing water losses, water recycling, changing irrigation practices
    • Develop and introduce flood and drought monitoring and control system
    • Reduce water pollution
    • Improve or develop water management
    • Alter system operating rules, e.g. pricing policies, legislation

    Coastal Zones and Marine Ecosystems

    • Develop Integrated Coastal Zone Management
    • Develop planning/new investment requirements
    • Protect, including building sea walls, and beach nourishment
    • Retreat
    • Research/monitor the coastal ecosystem

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