The Tribune

By JERVON SANDS

Why is it so hot these days?

The short answer is climate change. Using its most basic definition, climate change refers to the increasing changes in the measures of climate over a long period of time.

This means that climate change is not only limited to temperature changes, but also alterations in precipitation and wind patterns. These changes in climate measured over significant time periods are attributed to natural climate variability.

However, the climate emergency being faced globally today is a result of the direct and indirect consequences of human action on earth’s climate. In addition to natural climate variability, humanity has exacerbated global average temperature rise with excessive greenhouse gas emissions, thereby disrupting natural climate cycles and causing detrimental impacts on vulnerable populations like our own.

The Bahamas is located in the tropics. The region lies between 15 degrees latitude north and south of the equator and is the hottest region on our planet year-round. This geographical position makes our nation particularly susceptible to impacts arising from the temperature-related aspect of climate change known as global warming.

Global warming is a term used to describe the rise in global temperatures primarily resulting from the increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Those greenhouse gases, mainly carbon dioxide, are byproducts of the way we currently power our society.

When released from our power plants, factories, transportation modes, and commercial farms those greenhouse gases assemble in earth’s atmosphere forming a blanket that traps heat. If you want a practical understanding of what is causing the extreme heat we are experiencing, simply take your thickest quilt with you to the beach and wrap yourself in it.

Bahamians are especially known to boast of our proclivities for sun, sand and sea. Unfortunately, the rising temperatures and subsequent rising sea levels will continue to issue serious consequences that threaten our lives and livelihoods.

The greater climate fight demands mitigation through a reduction of emission by high emitting countries and industries. Our government is involved on an international level to advocate for climate change mitigation as well as financing to safeguard our islands from future impacts.

Although those actions are important, the average Bahamian is more concerned about surviving the intense heat that has created the recent conundrum where days are often too hot and sunny to venture beyond air-conditioned environments let alone to somewhere as exposed as the beach.

Missing out on the feeling of sand between your toes isn’t the only consequence of the heat. This summer we have witnessed multiple forest fires on three of our major islands. Food sources spoil more rapidly when exposed to high temperatures. Heat related illnesses are on the rise and a heat wave warning is shared almost every week. Patients with specific medical conditions are at risk of their condition, medications or treatment being negatively affected. Warm ocean temperatures put our entire archipelago at risk of major hurricanes. The list goes on.

The good news is that we are not entirely out of options to reduce the effects of the intense heat felt daily on our islands. One of the ways we can possibly reduce high surface temperatures is by responding to a phenomenon known as the urban heat island effect.

Heat islands have become a part of our archipelago due to an increase in infrastructure such as buildings, parking lots and roads that absorb then re-emit the sun’s heat in greater capacities than natural landscapes. This phenomenon is a result of heat magnifiers that exist in the form of building materials – especially concrete. The increase in motor vehicle usage also adds heat to our immediate environment. It has been reported that the combination of these heat sources can raise temperatures by up to 22⁰ F in urban areas.

There are many innovations that already exist to diminish the urban heat island effect and those can be implemented on an individual basis.

For instance, Bahamians can begin “depaving” their residences by replacing concrete or asphalt driveways with and parking areas with plants, soil or other alternatives. Growing green roofs is another way to reduce heat in our communities. There are also obvious co-benefits involved with taking these steps to reduce the heat island effect.

Ultimately, an overhaul of transportation and urban planning on a national level is needed to cool off our islands. However, small steps like mandates for contractors and construction supply companies to provide research-informed alternative building materials/methods that help to reduce heat, encouraging the use of lighter colors in residential and commercial construction practices, and increasing public transportation can go a long way.

Environmental organisations of The Bahamas can play a crucial role in both advocacy and action. Tree-planting campaigns that feature depaving public spaces have been gaining popularity and can be implemented in the Bahamas. Spreading awareness about ways that all citizens can be involved in limiting the levels of heat felt on our islands is also crucial.

If you are a Bahamian who is uncomfortable in the heat, loves the beach and wants to reduce the heat island effect so that you can cool off, you should start taking action today using the information outlined above.

Please stay tuned for upcoming articles on topics related to climate change impacts in the Bahamas. You can also get updates on more of our work by following us @bccya.242, @cceaubahamas, & @sdgunit242 on Instagram.