Building Resilience for Caribbean Nations: Showstoppers and Opportunities from Economics and Governance

Small Island Developing StatesSmall Island Developing States (SIDS) in the CaribbeanCaribbean contribute minimally to the global emissions of greenhouse gases that are driving climate changeClimate Change. However, CaribbeanCaribbean SIDS are disproportionately affected by climate changeClimate Change, as well as impacts from other natural hazards such as volcanic eruptions and tsunamis. Historically, programs and investments in the CaribbeanCaribbean that respond to natural disasters have focused on reactive solutions that are limited in scope and under-resourced. This article reviews the opportunities to build resilience for CaribbeanCaribbean SIDS to not only “bounce back” from disruptions but also “bounce forward” to make long-lasting improvements to infrastructure and the economy, as well as the wellbeing of island citizens. This chapter critically examines current gaps and barriers to building resilience in Caribbean SIDS, including the need to develop a “resilience culture” among institutions and reduce reliance on external donors for funding. This chapter can assist policymakers in CaribbeanCaribbean SIDS to transition to programs for building resilience that deliver long-term benefits for the economy, social welfare, and environmental stewardship.