Final Hazards Report :(

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For my final hazard report on Jamaica, I will be discussing their main coastal hazard which is beach erosion. 
Although, beach erosion is not as life threatening as a volcano would be, fortunately for Jamaica they do not suffer from volcano eruptions. Issues such as beach erosion do not cause sudden deaths but they can play a major role in overall quality of life locals have. I have decided to focus on this issue as my main priority because it has become so severe that Jamaica's beaches have been predicted to disappear by year 2025 give or take 5 years. This is extremely devastating news to the country of Jamaica considering their beaches are what makes up a large portion of their economic stability; "locals fear they will have to find a new nickname for the seven mile stretch of land [because it is eroding away], one of the top destinations which brings in millions of dollars from tourists in a country where a quarter of all jobs depend on tourism" (Daily Mail). The country is dependent on their beaches, local fisherman have even taken a step back from fishing and begun looking for new jobs. 
Why does beach erosion occur, you ask? 
According to the United Nations Environment Program (UNEF) human activity was the main cause of the erosion.  Some of the causes were bad environmental practices and bad building practices like the removal of sand from beaches to avoid paying for it elsewhere. Also, some have illegally dumped pollutants into the sea which is killing the sea grass and bleaching the coral reefs which is now known to be the largest Global Coral Bleaching to ever take place!!! 
Where would I target to help first? 
The place that has the worst beach erosion also happens to be Jamaica's number one source of income- the "Seven Mile beach" in Negril, Jamaica. Some sections on this beach are not even wide enough to set down a regular-sized beach towel. The Jamaican National Environment and Planning Agency says that the sand is now receding at a rate of over a yard a year.  
Recommendations to address the beach erosion issue- 
Some of the methods that can be used to stop the erosion of Jamaican beaches is a breakwater that is submerged under the water. This is meant to absorb a waves energy and slow the process of shoreline loss. However, this is NOT a cheap idea and it would put the island in a huge financial crisis and there is a chance that perhaps, it will only slow the inevitable. Furthermore, local groundkeepers have been taking metal rakes to the shoreline in attempt to counteract the daily damage. I would hire multiple crews to keep this up until we can find a more effective alternative.

 I would construct my house anywhere that is on a hill that isn't susceptible to landslides or tsunamis. It is said that Eastern Jamaica suffers the most extensive damage by natural causes so avoiding that area is crucial. I tried searching for the safest areas is Jamaica to build but this is the only information I could find. 

sources:
https://www.mona.uwi.edu/uds/LANDSLIDES%20RELATED%20TO%20PRECIPITATION%20IN%20EASTERN%20JAMAICA.htm
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-2779183/Jamaican-beauty-spot-Seven-Mile-Beach-severe-threat-erodes-METRE-year-vanish-altogether-2044.html
https://lindsworthdeer.wordpress.com/2016/09/05/jamaican-beaches-will-disappear-by-2025/
https://www.nbcnews.com/business/travel/jamaicas-world-famous-seven-mile-beach-hit-erosion-n217421

Comments

  1. darcmamasblogMay 26, 2019 at 10:24 PM

    Wow what a great and informative read. Beach erosion was a huge issue in my country (Brazil) as well. I cannot believe that they expect their beaches to completely disappear, a yard a year seems as though the beaches are taking quite the beating there. Do you think other options are available? Like the seawalls? Or something more affordable? Adding more sand back to the beach, etc.? Just thinking out loud but this is kind of terrifying what will come of the rest of these places when there is no longer a beach to absorb the shock waves? Thank you for sharing this.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousMay 27, 2019 at 4:18 PM

    Wow that is very unfortunate to the people of Jamaica and basically everyone who wants to visit there in the future, but obviously more for the people who live there! That would be an absolute nightmare if by 2025 the beaches disappear. I know more than 60 percent of their food comes from the ocean as they do not have much livestock, so what are they going to do? Very interesting thing to research and I agree with you that it is more threatening than volcanoes. Might not be as life threatening, but it threatens their way of lives. Also, their economy will fall because of the loss of tourists. Very unfortunate and I hope they find out solutions as soon as possible. My country, Egypt, is struggling with rising sea levels, I wish my country could gives yours some water! ;)
    Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Ana GGJune 3, 2019 at 8:22 AM

    Thank you for taking this class with us. I hope you learned a lot about your chosen country.

    ReplyDelete

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