Get the Facts – Climate Change and its Effect on Jamaica

Climate change refers to the negative variation in the global atmospheric conditions caused primarily by the burning of oil, coal and gas to produce energy for homes, businesses and transportation. These activities produce greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. The gases trap heat and cause typical atmospheric conditions to become extreme.

Within the last few years, the effects of climate change on Jamaica has become more apparent. However, the Government of Jamaica, through its various Ministries and Departments, has implemented measures to help with climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Below are some of the ways in which climate change has affected Jamaica:

• More severe hurricanes
• Increase in heavy rainfall
• Longer periods of drought
• Erosion of the shoreline

Some strategies that can assist in building resilience include:

• Better management of water resources
• Adopting sustainable farming practices
• Implementation of water harvesting resources
• Planting crops that can withstand erratic weather conditions
• Practising proper disposal of garbage

At the policy level the Government also:

• Signed to the Paris Agreement, which seeks to guide the treatment of climate change by limiting the rise of the global temperature below 2 ̊ Celsius
• Became a party to the United National Framework Convention on Climate Change which seeks to regulate Greenhouse Gas Emissions
• Implemented a Climate Change Focal Point Network ( CCFPN) – a network which is comprised of representatives of over 27 Ministries and Agencies who are tasked with          mobilising resources through the Climate Change Division of the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation

• Partnered with the agencies, such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Japan- Climate Change Programme to create Mitigation Actions
• Supported the School Garden’s Pilot Project in the implementation of drip irrigation systems, and the regeneration of school gardens
• Supported the rehabilitation of the Montego Bay Breakwater Structures.

For additional information contact:

The Climate Change Division
16A Half-Way Tree Road
Kingston 10
Email: climate.change@megjc.gov.jm
Telephone: (876) 633- 7500