Times of the Islands Winter 2021-22

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Let’s define global warming: the long-term heating of the Earth’s climate system due to human activities. The majority of this heating comes as a result of burning fossil fuels which ultimately leads to increased greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere. Global warming is a multi-faceted problem. Far too complicated to explain in this article, so for this issue we will focus on the sea surface temperature changes and impacts on the fishing industry. In future editions, we’ll discuss other weather-related topics as we continue to adapt to this problem that will take all of us to solve. Naturally, when booking a holiday to the Islands, folks look forward to sampling local cuisine. In the Caribbean, we would expect a cornucopia of seafood on the menu—a variety of fresh fish, conch and lobster. And when you come to the Turks & Caicos Islands, you won’t be disappointed. But will it always be that way? Sadly, without changes to how we take care of our environment, that once plentiful variety of “fruits of the sea” may become the exception and not the norm. A direct cause will likely be due to rising Sea Surface Temperatures (SST) which are directly tied to global warming. To date, the Global Atmospheric Temperature has risen on average over 1ºC since about 1900. This has resulted in SST rises in the Caribbean of about 0.5ºC in the last 50 years or so. That might seem like such a small amount, that surely it isn’t such a big deal. Now remember that 70% of the earth’s surface is covered in water. Further consider that ALL water sources across the globe are also absorbing that heat. As a result, there is no region of the world that will be left untouched. The impacts of this oceanic temperature rise, without intervention, will likely prove devastating for islands like the Turks & Caicos. The likely impacts of SST rise are akin to watching an avalanche of snow collapsing in slow motion down the side of a mountain. As water temperatures rise, coral beds, which many marine species depend on for their homes and for raising their offspring, could be at more significant threat of catastrophic coral bleaching episodes. Coral bleaching is quickly becoming an emergent problem across the large barrier reefs of the world, including here in the Caribbean. As a result of this loss in habitat, fish species will be forced to leave their traditional home grounds in search of a habitat where they are able to thrive. Other fish species which are acclimatized to the shallower waters within the Caicos Bank and shorelines of TCI may eventually be pushed out as water temperatures climb over the coming decades. As these shallow waters continue to heat, oxygen depletion will occur, making it more difficult for aquatic life to thrive. Mangroves, which are vital protection for some species of fish and other sea life, will likely begin to succumb to the higher temperatures as well. Groves may thin in areas as stress sets in, while other areas may see losses of their groves completely. MODIS OCEANS GROUP—NASA GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTER This sea surface temperature map was produced using MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) data acquired daily over the whole globe in the year 2000. The red pixels show warmer surface temperatures, while yellows and greens are intermediate values, and blue pixels show cold water. 24 www.timespub.tc
HOMES IN PARADISE BY GRACE BAY REALTY Lyle Schmidek Beth Atkins Claudius Williams Latoya Jones Gordon Williams Eugene Burns O'Brien Forbes Betchaina Hyppolite Stenley Valmir Bernard Young 649-941-4105 | SALES@GRACEBAYREALTY.COM TURKSANDCAICOSREALESTATE.COM
Page 1 and 2: TIMES OF THE SAMPLING THE SOUL OF T
Page 3 and 4: JAMAICA’S ULTIMATE VOTED WORLD’
Page 5 and 6: TurksAndCaicosProperty.com Mandalay
Page 7: Only select 1, 2 or 3 bedroom units
Page 11 and 12: LEADING THE INDUSTRY IN HEALTH AND
Page 13: YOUR LUXURY REAL ESTATE SPECIALIST
Page 16 and 17: TIMES OF THE ISLANDS MANAGING EDITO
Page 18 and 19: Interisland travel has changed, and
Page 20 and 21: The longest established legal pract
Page 22 and 23: SHUTTERSTOCK
Page 26 and 27: As fish species are pushed further
Page 28 and 29: MARTA MORTON-WWW.HARBOURCLUBVILLAS.
Page 30 and 31: Pottery has been made all over the
Page 32 and 33: ial for making pottery on these isl
Page 34 and 35: epresentations called adornos. Most
Page 36 and 37: GARY JAMES-PROVO PICTURES
Page 38 and 39: At the time, I was a consultant for
Page 40 and 41: groceries, gasoline and other items
Page 42 and 43: This Middle Caicos panorama at suns
Page 44: & Caicos. We were then able to vote
Page 47 and 48: feature Opposite page: Divers love
Page 49 and 50: and their mantle resembles a human
Page 51 and 52: the best game of peek-a-boo ever! W
Page 53 and 54: When a coney is in its xanthic phas
Page 55 and 56: green pages Newsletter of the Depar
Page 57 and 58: green pages newsletter of the depar
Page 67 and 68: around the islands Opposite page: L
Page 69 and 70: The festival had beach parties and
Page 71 and 72: astrolabe newsletter of the Turks &
Page 73 and 74: astrolabe newsletter of the Turks &
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astrolabe newsletter of the Turks &
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The TCI has expanded COVID-19 testi
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Postal service The Post Office and
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Recreation Sporting activities are
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WE ARE LEADING THE CHANGE FOR A NEW
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Times of the Islands Winter 2021-22

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