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Saint Lucia: Issues Paper on Climate Change Adaptation & the Water Sector April 2009Figure 1 : Watersheds in Saint LuciaInter‐annual variability in the Southern Caribbean climate is influenced strongly the ElNino Southern Oscillation (ENSO). El Niño episodes bring warmer and drier thanaverage conditions between June and August and La Niña episodes bring colder andwetter conditions at this time [Saint Lucia Hires Report]. Observational records andclimate projections provide abundant evidence that freshwater resources are vulnerableand have the potential to be strongly impacted by climate change, with wide-rangingconsequences for human societies and ecosystems [IPCC, Special Report on ClimateChange & Water].A thorough understanding and response to climate change is critical for small islanddeveloping states (SIDS) like Saint Lucia. Despite the fact that Saint Lucia’s contribution tothe source of this anthropogenic change is minimal, by virtue of inherent characteristicssuch as geographic location, small land mass with high proportion of low lying coastalPage | 4
Saint Lucia: Issues Paper on Climate Change Adaptation & the Water Sector April 2009areas, the island is rendered vulnerable to the anticipated impacts of climate change onthe water sector. It is expected that climate change will result in impacts on waterresources sources as follows, through :1. Changes in surface and groundwater systems2. Changes in water quality3. Increased flooding4. Increased droughts5. Changes in water temperature6. Changes in water chemistry7. Increased water erosion and sedimentation8. Decreased freshwater availability due to saltwater intrusionTable 1 below highlights the anticipated impacts on the Fresh Water Resources asindicated in the Government of Saint Lucia First National Communication on ClimateChange.IMPACTSTable 1 : Anticipated Impacts on the Fresh Water Resources[Source: CC FNC, GOSL]IMPLICATIONSClimate Change Factor: Sea Level Rise• Sea level rise may precipitate theintrusion of salt water into fresh waterlenses, particularly in low- lying coastalareas.• While there is little use of ground water inSaint Lucia, saline intrusions will reducethe quantity and quality of potentialsource of potable water.• Irrigation with brackish water will mostoften destroy crops and ruin soils.Climate Change Factor: Tropical Storm Activity• Destruction and/or modification ofexisting aquatic ecosystems caused by theincreased frequency and intensity ofprecipitation.• Soil erosion resulting from increasedsurface run off on exposed soils.• Siltation of river systems duringperiods of increased rainfall.• Temporary increase in water supply.• Damage to water intakes, dams andreservoirs leaving settlements withoutwater or providing poor water quality.• Increased social and economic cost toensure that these facilities aremaintained.• Degradation of the habitats of species offlora and fauna which occupy the aquaticecosystems, leading to a loss ofbiodiversity.Page | 5
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St Lucia - UNDPCC.org

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