TITLE:
Small islands awash in a sea of troubles.

AUTHOR:
Acharya A.

SOURCE:
World Watch 8(6): 24-33 Nov-Dec 1995.

ABSTRACT:
The Caribbean islands contain an enormous ecological variety, and with the influx of people, they are left with denuded forests and disappearance of animals and people. Despite their limited size, these islands could sustain development with their own water, vegetation, soil, air, and wildlife resources. The Exclusive Economic Zones, approved by the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, extends the coastline up to 200 miles, thus providing an increased amount of resource area. However, these natural resources are abused in various ways. Some of the white sand beaches are disappearing due to growing tourism. Furthermore, these islands are vulnerable to hazardous wastes and nuclear tests and other destructive natural forces that produce a dramatic change in the climate. To counteract this environmental degradation, the government implemented environmental initiatives that protect these natural resources with the aid of international agencies and organizations. These islands, though seen as a small capsule, represent the problems of the world magnified many times.

YEAR:
1995

PIP#:
150130