Turks and Caicos Islands

SEVERE
WEATHER
•More frequent and
intense floods
•Rising sea levels
•More frequent and
intense storms
•More frequent and
intense droughts
OUTCOMES
•Less land to use
•Loss of coastlines
•Loss of delta areas
which are major
sources of food
production
•Spread of disease
•Increase in migration
Figure 4.8.1: The impacts of climate change on poverty
Gender is given special consideration in assessing human vulnerability owing to the different roles and
circumstances associated with men and women in society, and especially in disaster preparation and
response. The Training Manual on Gender and Climate Change developed by the Global Gender and
Climate Alliance (GGCA) highlights that gender-based vulnerability is not influenced by a single factor, but
takes into account a number of factors, especially in the case of women who tend to have less or limited
access to assets when compared to men. These factors have been identified as determinant factors of
vulnerability and adaptive capacity, and include physical location, resources, knowledge, technology,
power, decision-making, potential, education, health care and food (GGCA, 2009).
The size and composition of an individual or social group’s asset base (natural, physical, social, human and
financial) will determine to what extent they will be affected by, and respond to climate change impacts. A
larger quantity and/or diversity of assets imply greater resilience and adaptive capacity. Conversely, a lack
of assets will predispose individuals to increased vulnerability. Women therefore, who tend to have less
access to assets and resources will bear disproportionate impacts from climate change on their livelihoods
and general well-being, exacerbating existing risks and revealing other hidden issues (GGCA, 2009). The
potential effects of climate change impacts (both direct and indirect) on women are highlighted in Table
4.8.1.
The 2000 Poverty Assessment Report indicated that just over a third of household heads in the Turks and
Caicos Islands were female. Additionally, more female heads lived in poverty than male household heads as
indicated above (Kairi Consultants Limited, 2000a). A large number of women also work as domestic type
workers (e.g. in the hotel sector) or within the informal economy to support themselves and their
households. These livelihoods activities, while providing them with a source of income, are associated with
low earnings, volatility and can be crippled easily by natural and economic shocks. The Poverty Assessment
Report is a long-standing publication and as such, reported trends may have changed slightly. Little data of
similar focus is available since the 2000 Report, and assumptions are made based on the possibility that
previously reported trends may still exist. Therefore, in the event of severe weather, single women and
single mothers with little resources are less able protect themselves and their families, making them more
vulnerable to impacts, and the likelihood of being worse off after a disaster. Livelihoods that are especially
climate-sensitive face the greatest threat. In the case of Tropical Storm Hanna and Hurricane Ike, women
who sold fruits and vegetables grown in backyard gardens suffered tremendously following the destruction
of their fruit trees and vegetables (ECLAC, 2008).
96
IMPACTS ON
POVERTY
•Increase in poverty owing to:
•less food and safe water
•less land for living and agriculture
•loss of livelihoods
•decline in health
•diversion of resources (people and
money) away from fighting poverty
to respond to disasters
(Source: Kettle, Hogan, & Saul, n.d.)