Santo Domingo Caribbean Youth Declaration on Climate Change

The Santo Domingo Caribbean Youth Declaration on Climate Change was

agreed upon by the undersigned delegates attending the Caribbean Youth
Environment Network’s Fourth Biennial Caribbean Youth Exchange, at Santo
Domingo, in the Dominican Republic, on, 11th August 2009.

1. We, the participants of the Fourth Biennial Caribbean Youth Exchange,

on behalf of all Caribbean youth, acknowledge and are extremely
concerned about the development challenges that face our region
which result from climate change. We call upon regional governments,
governmental and non-governmental organisations as well as citizens
of the Caribbean region to stand united to fight against climate change.

2. As a region we all face similar negative impacts resulting from climate

change which affects our energy, forestry, agriculture, tourism and
health sectors. These impacts are leading to loss of biodiversity as well
as the possible extinction of endemic plant and animal species.

3. Currently, the Caribbean is experiencing adverse environmental effects

such as:

3.1 Increased frequency and intensity of severe weather events

3.2 More frequent episodes of flooding
3.3 Accelerated coastal erosion linked to sea level rise
3.4 Widespread coral bleaching
3.5 Increasing incidences of vector-borne and water-borne diseases
3.6 Longer and more intense periods of drought

Approximately seventy percent (70%) of Caribbean citizens live and work

in coastal zones, where most of the major infrastructure such as roads,
airports and seaports are found. Should current climate change trends
continue, it is likely that the region will experience a significant downturn in
economic and developmental growth as major industries such as tourism
become adversely affected by climate change. As a result a large number
of the region’s population will suffer due to increased job losses, social
dislocation and general political instability.

4. In the Caribbean, our livelihoods depend significantly on the

environment, with tourism, agriculture and fisheries as our major
industries which support personal incomes and regional economies. To
maintain sustainable livelihoods a shift in focus towards environmental
conservation and sustainable development needs to take place among
the citizens and respective authorities of our various countries. In 2007,
 it was estimated that the potential impact of climate change in the
region could be some US$9.9 billion annually. Without mitigation and
appropriate adaptation, this figure is expected to increase dramatically.

5. In order to ensure the viability of the sustainable development process

in the Caribbean, there must be a sustained global effort to significantly
reduce atmospheric CO2 levels. It is clear that the region’s future will be
inextricably linked to global atmospheric greenhouse gas
concentrations falling to 350 parts per million (350 ppm) or below.
Scientists have documented that failure to meet this benchmark will
lead to continuous acceleration of the consequences of climate change.

6. As Caribbean youth, we realise climate change is an issue that requires

urgent action, and, as such, we affirm our support for the CARICOM
position presented in the Liliendaal declaration on climate change and
development which calls for:

“long-term stabilisation of atmospheric greenhouse gas

concentrations at levels which will ensure that global average
surface temperature increases will be limited to well below 1.5
o
C of pre-industrial levels, that global greenhouse gas
emissions should peak by 2015; global CO2 reductions of at
least 45 percent by 2020 and reducing greenhouse gas
emissions by more than 95 percent of 1990 CO2 levels by 2050.”

7. With the survival of our region at stake, WE, the youth of the
Caribbean commit to:

8.1 Be climate change advocates in our respective communities

8.2 Strive to be better educated on matters pertaining to the
environment in order to bring awareness among youth
organisations, schools and other institutions
8.3 Lobby governments nationally and regionally
8.4 Be exemplary youth ambassadors on climate change issues
8.5 Seek to create a realistic action plan on climate change for youth
in the region
7.6 Endeavour to re-energise, encourage and empower youth and
youth organisations to take the initiative on climate change issues
7.7 Uphold and maintain existing environmental policies in our region
and particularly those that relate to climate change
 8. We, therefore, call upon our Governments to:

9.1 Create an enabling environment that would allow for the infusion
of climate change education into the formal and non-formal
education processes of schools.
9.2 Support and negotiate for the reduction of the levels of
atmospheric carbon dioxide to the lowest possible level not
exceeding 350 parts per million by 2015
9.3 Continue negotiations with other countries to address the effects
of climate change in a more direct manner
9.4 Mobilise private sector support for climate change mitigation and
adaptation initiatives
9.5 Engage the youth sector, note their concerns and where possible
encourage youth participation on national delegations involved in
the preparatory meetings and at Copenhagen itself
9.6 Maintain the commitment to Millennium Development Goal seven
(MDG 7)

This is our united call to action as Caribbean youth at the Fourth

Biennial Caribbean Youth Exchange on 11th August, 2009.

ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA

Nicolette Biersay
CYEN

BARBADOS
Kerryann Branford
CYEN-Barbados

BARBADOS
Natalee Aymes
CYEN-Barbados

BARBADOS
Melanie-Anne Holder
CYEN-Barbados
BARBADOS
Mariama Branker
CYEN-Barbados

BARBADOS
Reginald Burke
CYEN-Caribbean Office

BARBADOS
Renee Boyce-Drakes
CYEN-Barbados

BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS

Lenette Lewis
CYEN-BVI

COMMONWEALTH of DOMINICA
Melinda Seraphin
Dominica Youth Environment Organisation

COMMONWEALTH of DOMINICA
Bertilia Bethel
National Association of Youth in Agriculture

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Ana Lucia Frias Geraldo
GRENADA, CARRICOU and PETIT
MARTINIQUE
Simon Andrew
CYEN-Grenada

GUYANA
Elon McCurdy
CYEN-Guyana

ST. KITTS and NEVIS

Lyncia Dore
CYEN-St.Kitts

ST. LUCIA
Nintus Magre
CYEN-St. Lucia

ST. VINCENT and the GRENADINES

Laura Richards
JEMS Community Organisation

SURINAME
Neil Sakimin
Forum NGO

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

Roxanne Brown
CYEN-Trinidad
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
Kendron Renwick
CYEN-Tobago