00:00The World Meteorological Organization says climate change is no longer a distant threat
00:06for the Caribbean. It is happening now. According to the WMO's 2025 State of the Climate Report,
00:14temperatures across Latin America and the Caribbean remained well above average,
00:19making 2025 one of the region's hottest years on record. For Caribbean countries like Trinidad
00:25and Tobago, the warning signs are particularly concerning. The report says sea levels in the
00:31Caribbean along the northern coast of South America are rising faster than the global average,
00:38increasing the threat of coastal erosion, flooding and storm surge for low-lying communities.
00:44The WMO also highlighted record ocean temperatures in the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico.
00:50Warmer oceans fuel stronger hurricanes and more intense rainfall events
00:55Last year, Hurricane Melissa became the first Category 5 hurricane ever recorded making landfall
01:01in Jamaica, causing billions of dollars in damage and more than 40 deaths. The report says marine
01:08heat waves across the Caribbean reached extreme levels in 2025. Scientists warn that continued ocean
01:16warming and acidification threatened coral reefs, fisheries and tourism industries that many Caribbean
01:22economies depend on. The region also faced severe drought conditions. The WMO says parts of the Caribbean
01:30experienced unusually dry weather and worsening water shortages during 2025. For Trinidad and Tobago,
01:37experts say that could mean increased pressure on water resources, agriculture and food security in the
01:44years ahead. The report further warns that climate extremes, from flooding to dangerous heat waves,
01:50are becoming more frequent and more intense across the region. But the WMO says improved forecasting
01:56systems and disaster preparedness are helping countries better respond to climate threats. Still,
02:02the agency warns urgent climate adaptation and stronger resilience planning are critical for vulnerable
02:08Caribbean nations. Climate experts say small island developing states like Trinidad and Tobago contribute very
02:15little to global greenhouse gas emissions but continue to face some of the harshest impacts of climate change.
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