AN INCREASE in global temperature to 1.5 degrees Celsius is projected to bring with it a variety of risks for Caribbean small island developing states (SIDS), not the least of which is compromised energy security.

This is reflected in the recent research work of Peter Donk and others in their examination of the Afobaka hydropower scheme in Suriname, which supplies some 40 per cent of that island’s power demand.

“A potential decrease in hydropower potential, relative to historical observations, of up to approximately 40 per cent is projected towards the end of the century for mean global surface warming in the range of 1.5 degrees Celsius,” noted the researchers, who also include Els Van Uytven, Prof Patrick Willems and Prof Michael Taylor of The University of the West Indies.

“This increases to approximately 50 per cent for mean global surface warming slightly above two degrees Celsius, and to approximately 80 per cent for mean global surface warming above three degrees Celsius,” they added, referencing their findings.

Their research work, dated April 2018, is titled ‘Assessment of the potential implications of a 1.5 degrees Celsius versus higher global temperature rise for the Afobaka hydropower scheme in Surname’.

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