Summary: The Effects Of Climate Change On Tourism In Jamaica

The effects of climate change on tourism in Jamaica

Jamaica for many years, has been a tourist destination for many reasons. It accounts for 30% of the nation 's GDP[ https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/jm.html] and about a quarter of all jobs.[ http://www.globalissues.org/news/2012/06/06/13935] It seems to mostly attract nature or scenic tourists, musical tourists (reggae and Bob Marley fans), as well as female sex tourists. It experienced a growth of 4.2 percent between 2002 and 2007.

Despite the positive effects of tourism, the fact that Jamaica still uses biomass such as wood as a source of fuel, contributes to problems with climate change.[ http://beforeitsnews.com/environment/2013/01/the-effect-on-climate-of-coal-diesel-and-wood-burning-2459092.html] Especially since not enough trees are planted to replace the ones that were cut down. If trees are planted to replace ones that are cut down, the environmental impact of burning wood can be reduced.[ http://sustainability.stackexchange.com/questions/465/planting-trees-for-firewood-how-many] Unlike the United States, where the average number of trees has been increasing, the average number of trees in Jamaica has been decreasing.[ http://forestry.about.com/od/foresthistory1/a/tree_plt_timeln.htm]

They are threatened by destructive fishing techniques, warming seas, rising CO2 levels, and altered salinity due to rainfall. Because of the average increase in temperature of the ocean, coral reef bleaching has increased. “...widespread and severe coral reef bleaching occurred in the Indo-Pacific region and the Caribbean, killing 16% of the world’s coral reefs in 12 months.”[