The prime minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis says his country and Prince Edward Island are facing many of the same challenges when it comes to fighting the effects of climate change.
Terrance Drew is among more than 200 people on P.E.I. this week for the Global Sustainable Islands Summit at the Rodd Crowbush Golf and Beach Resort.
His nation of about 50,000 people in the West Indies, located just southeast of Puerto Rico, and other islands around the world are disproportionately affected by climate change and rising sea levels.
For example, Saint Kitts and Nevis has lost some of its beaches to erosion and its coral reefs are bleaching, Drew said. That hurts both the fishing industry and tourism.
Saint Kitts and Nevis is also going through one of the worst droughts in its history, which has decreased its water supply.
“We never expected to be at this stage when it comes to water scarcity,” Drew said. “We are now declared one of the most water-scarce countries in the world, and we used to be a water-abundant country… That is because of climate change and we have had to invest millions of dollars just to get water in the tap to people’s homes.
“So it has been devastating.”
