Sustainability in the Caribbean

 

In the Caribbean, agriculture represents the main source of income and livelihood. Studies have shown that over 16% of the Caribbean region is employed this sector, hence it is imperative to be aware of sustainable agricultural practices not only to maintain employability, but also one’s survival. In this in this topic of sustainable shifts sustainable agriculture, practices in the Caribbean would be expounded on.

Sustainability refers to development that allows the needs of the present -to be met without hindering the needs and ability the future generations. So for example, if you were to plant corn trees on a plot of land, you cultivate it and then replant the same corn trees. This hinders sustainable practices. Why? Science Indicates that crop rotation proves to produce nutrients within the soil, rather than planting the some crop throughout. However, the aforesaid sustainable practice has underlying benefits as it lessens soil erosion.  Thus, instead of planting corn trees repeatedly, the sustainable practice to exercise would be to change the crop to something else.

You may be asking well why sustainability is important. It’s simple, for our survival.  Let’s us the same example as above. If we don’t reintroduce nutrients through the soil by crop rotation, food production would be limited. With the world propulsion being massive, individuals would be unable to attain basic nutrition and suffer detrimental consequences.

Here are some sustainable practices you can commit to:

1) Grow your own your own vegetables and fruits

The Caribbean heavily exports goods (vegetables and fruits) cargo, airplane and trucking. This can not only result in a dependence, but an increase in carbon emissions. This increase can lead to the over production of greenhouse gases, therefore exacerbating climate change.

2) Up cycling clothing

 The production of clothing requires time, energy end effort. With recurrent trends, patterns and fast fashion production and raw materials paves the way for air pollution, water pollution, greenhouse gas emissions. Thus, thrift shops, recycling and utilizing hand me downs allows for sustainability.

3)      Avoid disposable products

Straws; coffee cups, sanitary utensils all produce waste and requires enormous amounts of energy to produce and manufacture. Thus, long lasting I utensils produce waste and pollution.