The Centre for Resource Management and Environmental Studies (CERMES), in conjunction with the Barbados Water Authority (BWA) and the support of the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC), has organised a half day Seminar that will explore the potential impact of climate change on the operation and management of Barbados’ water services and resources.  Whilst there appears to be an emerging agreement within the climate change community on what the impacts of global warming are likely to be. How things like changes in rainfall and temperature might affect water supplies is not at all clear.  Barbados is already classified as a ‘water scarce’ country and therefore any potential changes in rainfall could have serious implications for the economy. The 2009-10 drought that affected the Caribbean was for some a foretaste of what might happen under increased climate variability which is associated with climate change.  It is clear that we need to start thinking and planning for the impacts of climate change now.  There is an increasing need to adopt integrated approaches to water management in order to develop ‘no regret’ mitigation and adaptation strategies for the future that are effective, cost effective and equitable.

The purpose of the seminar is to bring academics and water professionals together to share what is known about the likely effects of climate change, to identify the potential risks and opportunities and, to identify future needs and trends.  A common difficulty facing professionals is that they are often unaware of the results of climate change research, because there are few opportunities to bring researchers and professionals together and to deliberate the implications for businesses such as water services. 

The seminar is an example of the way in which the University of the West Indies is responding to the needs of the Region and reaching out and engaging with the public and private sectors.  In this way it is building on the already existing working relationships to make a positive contribution to the economy and development not only of Barbados but also of the region.  Events such as this seminar recognises that there is a need to improve working relationships, share the results of academic research and make them more accessible to the business community, the public and private sectors.  There is also recognition that academics can also learn from the experience and expertise of those outside of the university and that there is a need to engage more seriously in ‘near industry research’.  Doing so depends on developing good working relationships with industry, which can be fostered through occasions such as this seminar.

CERMES and the BWA have a history of collaboration and cooperation which has developed even further since the addition of the water resources management stream to the CERMES teaching programme.  There is on-going collaboration in joint research projects as well as involvement in BWA projects.