Grenada’s capacity to mitigate climate change risks stemming from storms, hurricanes, droughts and other extreme weather events, is significantly enhanced thanks to a five-year $9.5 million Rallying the Region to Action on Climate Change (RRACC) project implemented by the United States Government in collaboration with the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).

Word of this success came from Mission Director of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Christopher Cushing, as he addressed a close out ceremony for the Grenada segment of the project on Wednesday, June 22, 2016. Mr. Cushing told the gathering that the U.S. Government, through USAID, was pleased to have provided approximately $1.3 million in assistance to improve the country’s overall resilience and assist communities in reducing climate-related risks to their lives and livelihoods over the long term.

Under the RRACC initiative, and in response to concerns raised by residents about the impact of sea level rise, a seawall was built in Petite Martinique to buffer strong waves and mitigate coastline erosion during storms. An Integrated Watershed Rehabilitation and Coastal Area Management initiative in the Sauteurs community resulted in the development of a Community Climate Change Adaptation Plan, which focused on replanting trees in watershed and along coastal areas eroded by wave action. The Sauteurs Reforestation Exercise entailed the planting of over 100 trees on the Mount Rodney Beach by students from the McDonald College Secondary School, the Ministry of Agriculture, Land, Forestry and Fisheries and members of St. Patrick’s Environmental Community Tourism Organization (SPECTRO). The RRACC Project also enhanced the capacity of the Government’s Forestry nursery in Grand Etang by providing tools and equipment, constructing nursery beds for plant propagation, and installing a rainwater harvesting system to ensure water availability during dry periods.

“As a result of these projects, Grenada’s capacity, knowledge base, and ability to adapt to and mitigate future climate risks (particularly for coastal communities) are significantly improved. Sauteurs and Petite Martinique represent only two of the region’s many vulnerable communities, but can serve as models to demonstrate successful adaptation measures,” Mr. Cushing stated.

Acknowledging Grenada’s economic dependence on coastal resources like mangroves, sandy beaches, sea grasses and coral reefs, which are particularly vulnerable to climate-related threats like sea level rise, changing temperatures and increased salinity, the U.S official noted that the problem was exacerbated by accelerated run-off and landslides with long-term negative impacts on coastal ecosystems as well as the fisheries and tourism sectors.

“By working together to develop and implement innovative climate change solutions, we can collectively increase Grenada’s and the Caribbean’s capacity for adaptation and resilience. Today’s event is a positive example of the strides that can be made when Governments and ordinary citizens put their hearts and minds together to bring about positive change. It also underscores the U.S. Government’s strong commitment to helping Grenada and the broader region to adapt to more frequent and severe storm events, periods of drought, and other impacts of climate change,” Mr. Cushing concluded.