There seem to be no major impacts around the island of Dominican Republic. There is some physical impacts but the level of confidence for this to be due to climate change is in the range from low t medium. The physical impacts are rivers, lakes, floods and even droughts could be possible.
The key regional risks around my regions are due to hurricanes, tropical storms, rain fall, and rising sea levels. They key risks involved can cause loss of livelihood, in order to address this external resources and technologies are needed. Also the loss of costal settlements and infrastructures due to tropical storms or rising sea level can cause damage that need to be replaced or moved. Ecosystem services and economical stability is crucial to maintain in order to addresses any damages due to flooding or strong winds.
The most interesting topic out of chapter 14 in the Physical Science Basis report was the large-scale storm systems. The point of focusing on the tracks, intensity levels and how frequent tropical cyclone occur is very important. Not only is it important in order to predict future cyclones but also prepares these regions with the knowledge. The knowledge works to the regions advantage because it can provided information on how to maintain their sustainments like their regional water resources. I also found interesting was the fact that although past records of storms can have its advantages, in reference to the greenhouse warming scenarios, anthropogenic can cause a tropical cyclones to react unexpectedly. These storms may create new routes because of this reaction.
In the regional chapters ''Small Islands' executive summary "The Fourth Assessment Report" and past reports on small islands point out the risks that are climate related in theses types of regions. The constant change of rainfall patterns, the temperature in the air and surface waters, sea level rising and the tropical storms and cyclones occurring are always risks that are present in these areas and threaten the loss of sustainment for the population not only in their ecosystems services but economically too.
The threat to low-lying coastal areas on islands and atolls is very high when it comes to the topic of sea levels rising. Not only does it threaten coastal population, homes, economies but \ natural resources like fresh water capabilities, fishing, and coral reef ecosystems. There are many islands and they have diverse locations therefore some of these risks can potentially be more urgent then other risks depending on the location of the island. Therefore some of the solutions brought to light might not be the right solution to another island. Some island communities have already been experiencing some of these risks and have increased challenges because of the increased climate changes. Overall creating an awareness of these pressing issues could result in a more resilient communities in response to these climate changes in the longterm.
The most interesting threat to me was focused on the observes impacts on island economies. One of the main goals of island is to be sustainable especially because they are isolated they need to be very aware and prepared for anything. Most islands depend high on exports for food and fuel and also depend on tourism. Thier fisheries and agricultural crops are constantly being threaten due to climate changes. There is also a disadvantage to the permeant residents of these because the overheads cost per capita is very high. The result of climate changes requires constant renovations in technologies and infrastructures. Not only is it costly because of the upgrades but its also costing mush money because of the destruction that comes with tropical storms or flash floodings. The reason I decided to focus on this section was because as an economics major I was more inclined to investigate the results and impacts that climates change has on the small island economies.
