Turks and Caicos Islands

each gender group is of the opinion that their group is the more vulnerable of the two. This is explained
later in this section.
The community has experienced severe weather in the past, and some residents have also observed
gradual changes in weather patterns. Some patterns that were specifically pointed out by community
residents included an increase in the frequency and intensity of hurricanes, increasing ambient
temperatures, warmer sea surface temperatures which has resulted in bleaching of nearshore reefs, and
sea encroachment. Residents that have some awareness of climate change understand that the effects
have started and that the community is at greater risk as time passes. Residents who were previously
unfamiliar with climate change are seemingly now aware of current and future implications.
Community observations collectively point towards an increasing frequency of severe weather systems
impacting the Turks and Caicos Islands, highlighting that three hurricanes were experienced within the last
5-6 years, before which the last storm of that magnitude affecting the community was in 1985, and prior to
that, 1960. Further, two of these three systems affected the country in 2008 within a span of two weeks
(Tropical Storm Hanna and Hurricane Ike). It was suggested that climate change contributes to the “crazy”
and unpredictable tracks that hurricanes are taking. This perception was based on the behaviour exhibited
by Tropical Storm Hanna, which initially passed the Turks and Caicos Islands, but subsequently “looped
back” and affected the country extensively.
Lower Bight residents also experienced extremely high temperatures this year compared to previous years,
and daytime temperatures during the summer period are reportedly hotter than pervious times, and occur
more frequently, even though part of the summer period coincides with the wet season. It was also
highlighted that the occurrence of extremely hot days appeared to have started much earlier in 2011 than
before. Winter months were also reported to be warmer than normal.
An apparent explosion in the mosquito population has also been observed by community residents within
Lower Bight, which likely indicates that breeding spaces have grown or are left unattended. The mosquitoes
are considered a nuisance in the very least, and potentially pose a severe threat to well-being of
community residents, especially in the event that it is the Aedes aegypti species – the Dengue Fever carrier.
Marine biodiversity has also declined as there are less species observed in the water, as well as smaller
populations of fish. Fishermen have expressed the need to sail further out to get a “decent-sized” catch,
and they have also noticed that the size of some species (e.g. conch) is continually decreasing. The decline
in life stocks have not only been observed by residents, but visitors as well. A story was relayed where one
tourist noticed the decline in fish stocks and had expressed disappointment because his grandchildren who
were on holiday with him were unable to see the fish that he observed in abundance on previous trips.
Beach erosion and sea encroachment also appears to be a serious issue. Residents reported that one house
in the area no longer exists as a result of the encroaching water, and some properties with swimming pools
on the beach were affected and the pools were subsequently demolished. Residents who work at sea are
aware that natural erosion cycles occur, but the extensive amount of erosion that has taken place during
these cycles is reported as unusual.
Impacts of Weather and Climate on Community Livelihoods and Development
In the Lower Bight area, there were very few significant impacts on residents from recent extreme events,
specifically Tropical Storm Hanna and Hurricane Ike in 2008. Tropical Storm Hanna and Hurricane Ike were
only a week apart, but the experiences from Tropical Storm Hanna potentially saved lives and property
during the passage of Hurricane Ike, because after the experience of Hanna, residents took Hurricane Ike (a
much stronger system) more seriously. There was no loss of life, or significant loss of property. There were
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