Climate Change impacts on Dominican Agriculture/ Environmental Policy

Blog Post #4

Climate Change impacts on Dominican Agriculture/ Environmental Policy

February 22 2011

            The Dominican Republic currently has a variety of issues with regards to climate change and its agricultural sector.  According to the Global Climate Risk Index the country ranks 5^th in the World, demonstrating its high vulnerability to global climate change. The expected issues that the country will face in the coming years range from increases in temperature, decreases in precipitation, and sea level increases.  These concerns are a major concern when put together:

The increased temperatures, coupled with a reduced precipitation regime will lead to increased evapo-transpiration and an increased water deficit, reflected in a reduction of runoff of up to 95% by 2100 with respect to the baseline, under the most pessimistic scenario. It is also expected to see a transition from the most humid zones of the country to the driest and an expansion of the areas that are historically the driest. (Climate Change Aspects in Agriculture 2)

For this reason it is imperative that the government of the Dominican Republic take the necessary steps to insure that its country is not completely devastated in the future. Currently the Dominican Republic has employed the following policy initiatives to help it mitigate the potential harmful effects of climate change:

·         National Communication to the United Nations that details current and future efforts of the Dominican Republic with regards to Climate Change.

·         The National Council for Climate Change and Clean Development Mechanism which is the climate change authority in the country. It was created in 2008 and helps maintain commitments to various UN initiatives.

·         The Agricultural Ministry has responsibility in developing future agricultural policy and administering research in future endeavors.

·         Kyoto Protocol signee

·         Plan Quisqueya Verde a plan that was initiated to help with the widespread deforestation in the country.

·         Various International Plans aimed at reforestation or mitigation efforts with international funds.

·         Various Resolutions and Laws aimed at protecting soils, air quality, and natural forests.

-RJ