Coastal Hazards in Barbados

As an island nation, Barbados is no stranger to coastal hazards. Barbados suffers from beach erosion, mostly due to climate change. The economy heavily relies on tourism, but coincidentally that is also the biggest contributor to the pollution and erosion that Barbados is suffering from. Like many other coastal areas, climate change has brought on sea level rises and a slough of other issues. Barbados is only 166 square miles to begin with and it's losing a foot of beach each year. Coral reefs are a major part of the landscape of Barbados, and they're rapidly deteriorating due to pollution caused by domestic sewage, as well as climate change and deforestation. Without the protective barrier that the coral reefs provide, the force of waves is extremely powerful and destructive to the beaches. The beaches are also covered in rocks that are actually dead pieces of coral. In order to try to mitigate effects of climate change, the Barbados Coastal Conservation Program has stepped in. The BCCP has put programs in place that put years of research and surveys into use in order to create programs and management plans that fight coastal erosion and pollution. They've created solid waste disposal plants and sewage treatment plants that cut down on erosion. 

Sources: https://coastalcare.org/2011/02/last-chance-beach-battling-erosion-in-barbados/
http://www.coastal.gov.bb/
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1989-09-07-8901100984-story.html
https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Beach-erosion-in-Barbados_fig1_234038862

Extreme Weather in Barbados

Barbados is an island in the Caribbean and thus has a tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round, slightly cooling in the months of December-June because of the northeastern trade winds. The wet season occurs from July-December causing a slough of natural hazards to occur such as erosion, flooding, landslides, etc. As a tropical island, Barbados is at high risk for heat waves. In the summer of 2019, citizens were warned to be careful of heat stroke and even death, and the country was at risk for forest fires and drought. In order to warn its citizens, Barbados worked with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) to learn the risks associated with a heat wave and how to stay safe. As climate change is a worsening issue, Barbados continues to stay informed and prepared for more heat waves and natural hazards.

Sources: https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/caribbean/bb-climate.htm

https://www.nationnews.com/nationnews/news/240734/heat-wave-warning-caribbean