It’s an unfortunate truth we hear too often: the world’s most vulnerable nations bear the brunt of climate change, even though they’ve contributed the least to the problem.
For years, leaders from Caribbean nations and other small island states globally have echoed this message, pleading with wealthier countries—whose historical greenhouse gas emissions have intensified our oceans and supercharged storms—for much-needed support to prepare for what’s coming.
Now, with Hurricane Melissa unleashing its fury on Jamaica before heading towards Cuba and the Bahamas, these nations are bracing to be overwhelmed yet again by the immense costs of recovery. The International Monetary Fund highlights the Caribbean as the region most susceptible to climate-driven catastrophes, estimating it needs a staggering $100 billion in economic investment to build crucial resilience.
Adding to these challenges, a former U.S. administration, under President Trump, halted crucial funding intended to help vulnerable countries prepare for global warming threats. This decision effectively dismantled most foreign aid programs and offices dedicated to assisting nations grappling with environmental disasters.
“Our countries simply don’t have the luxury of gradually building climate resilience,” explained Michai Robertson, a senior adviser for the Alliance of Small Island States and a native of Antigua and Barbuda. He recalls how Hurricane Irma devastated Barbuda’s infrastructure in 2017, part of a storm system that inflicted over $77 billion in damages across the Caribbean and South Florida.
Robertson emphasized the grim choices people face: “When it comes down to buying hurricane shutters for your home or putting food on the table, the humane choice is clear. Yet, the stark reality is that without those defenses, everything can be wiped out. That’s the sheer gravity of our situation.”
In Jamaica, a nightmarish scenario is unfolding, with Hurricane Melissa’s rainfall measured in feet, not inches. Already poised to be one of history’s most potent storms, forecasters warn that its eyewall winds could trigger widespread structural collapse and cripple power and communication networks.
While scientists typically conduct attribution analysis after a weather event to determine climate change’s specific impact, general research consistently shows that warmer ocean waters, fueled by global warming, are intensifying hurricanes, making them more destructive.
On Tuesday morning, as the storm approached, Robertson shared his personal concern: his brother and grandparents were in Jamaica. His entire family was on edge, glued to their phones for updates, a testament to the storm’s palpable threat.
“In moments like this, the void of leadership truly hits home,” he lamented. “Wealthy nations aren’t just stepping back from addressing climate change; they’re actively ignoring our pleas.”
In recent years, hurricanes have caused tens of billions in damages to Caribbean nations, plunging them deep into debt. Countries like Jamaica, the Bahamas, Barbados, and Antigua and Barbuda, all recent hurricane victims, now carry national debts almost equivalent to their entire economies.
“I’ve witnessed firsthand the devastation, heartbreak, and economic disruption these monstrous storms bring, and it’s truly tragic,” stated Selwin Hart, the United Nations assistant secretary general for climate action and a former ambassador for Barbados.
He further noted that for tourism-dependent island nations in the Caribbean, a major storm like Melissa could, in a mere few hours, wipe out years of economic progress.
Mia Mottley, Barbados’s Prime Minister, has become a prominent global advocate for finding financial solutions to the escalating cycle of disaster and debt gripping small island states. She actively campaigns for reforms within major lending institutions like the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, pushing for measures such as suspending debt repayments during post-disaster recovery periods for poorer nations.
The Inter-American Development Bank reports that after severe storms, Caribbean countries typically see their debt levels increase by 18 percent compared to normal projections.
Recovery efforts are further complicated by many island nations’ heavy reliance on imported fossil fuels, often transported by sea. Jamaica, for instance, generates over 85 percent of its electricity from imported liquefied natural gas and crude oil, relying on a single state-owned refinery on the Kingston Harbor shoreline. Any damage to this vital facility could severely impede local rescue and recovery operations.
In preparation, Jamaica’s Energy Minister, Daryl Vaz, confirmed that the Petrojam refinery has been operating continuously to build up fuel reserves. “We’ve activated all refinery emergency systems and ensured over two weeks’ worth of sufficient fuel supplies,” he stated.
Just next week, global negotiators will meet in Brazil for the United Nations’ annual climate summit (COP). These critical talks are increasingly overshadowed by financial debates. U.N. studies reveal that developing nations need over one trillion dollars annually to shift their economies away from climate-damaging fossil fuels and to adapt to unavoidable climate changes.
During last year’s summit, wealthier nations pledged $300 billion annually towards these objectives, but much of it was structured as loans. Crucially, only a small portion of this funding was earmarked specifically for disaster preparedness and recovery efforts.
Furthermore, in 2021, wealthy countries committed to doubling adaptation funding to at least $40 billion yearly by 2025. However, current indicators suggest they are far from fulfilling this promise.
The previous Biden administration had aimed to provide about $3.1 billion in climate adaptation aid for 2023. Yet, Mr. Trump, who notoriously dismissed climate change as a hoax, later withdrew these funds and halted other initiatives designed to assist nations in managing global warming’s impacts.
Racquel Moses, whose family resides in Jamaica and who heads the Caribbean Climate-Smart Accelerator—a collaborative effort investing in clean energy and resilience—spoke emotionally about the immense challenges islands face in disaster preparedness. This particular storm, she warned, has the potential to “reverberate through decades.”
She highlighted the critical need for appropriate financial support, explaining that many vital adaptation measures, such as planting mangroves for sea-level rise protection or elevating coastal roads, do not directly generate revenue, making them less appealing to certain investors.
Hiroko Tabuchi contributed reporting.