Sargassum, a brown algae, has become a significant issue in the Caribbean due to climate change. Warming temperatures, ocean acidification, and shifting wind patterns have increased the presence of sargassum, negatively impacting coastal communities and tourist destinations like Belize. Local efforts to combat the problem include manual removal and repurposing the sargassum for various uses, including landfill and compost. Additionally, there is a push for climate justice, collaboration among resorts, NGOs, and government agencies to address the long-term effects of sargassum and explore sustainable solutions like converting organic waste, including sargassum, into energy.
This story was published on News 5 Live with the support of the Caribbean Climate Justice Journalism Fellowship, which is a joint venture between Climate Tracker and Open Society Foundations.
