Climate change in Suriname
{{Short description|Emissions, impacts and responses of Suriname related to climate change}}
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| image1 = Koppen-Geiger_Map_v2_SUR_1991–2020.svg
| caption1 = Köppen climate classification map for Suriname for 1991–2020
| image2 = Koppen-Geiger_Map_v2_SUR_2071–2099_SSP585.svg
| caption2 = 2071–2099 map under the most intense climate change scenario. Mid-range scenarios are currently considered more likely{{cite journal|last1=Hausfather|first1=Zeke|last2=Peters|first2=Glen|title=Emissions – the 'business as usual' story is misleading|journal=Nature|date=29 January 2020|volume=577|issue=7792|pages=618–20|doi=10.1038/d41586-020-00177-3|pmid=31996825|bibcode=2020Natur.577..618H|doi-access=free}}{{Cite journal |last1=Schuur |first1=Edward A.G. |last2=Abbott |first2=Benjamin W. |last3=Commane |first3=Roisin |last4=Ernakovich |first4=Jessica |last5=Euskirchen |first5=Eugenie |last6=Hugelius |first6=Gustaf |last7=Grosse |first7=Guido |last8=Jones |first8=Miriam |last9=Koven |first9=Charlie |last10=Leshyk |first10=Victor |last11=Lawrence |first11=David |last12=Loranty |first12=Michael M. |last13=Mauritz |first13=Marguerite |last14=Olefeldt |first14=David |last15=Natali |first15=Susan |last16=Rodenhizer |first16=Heidi |last17=Salmon |first17=Verity |last18=Schädel |first18=Christina |last19=Strauss |first19=Jens |last20=Treat |first20=Claire |last21=Turetsky |first21=Merritt |year=2022 |title=Permafrost and Climate Change: Carbon Cycle Feedbacks From the Warming Arctic |journal=Annual Review of Environment and Resources |volume=47 |pages=343–371 |doi=10.1146/annurev-environ-012220-011847 |quote="Medium-range estimates of Arctic carbon emissions could result from moderate climate emission mitigation policies that keep global warming below 3°C (e.g., RCP4.5). This global warming level most closely matches country emissions reduction pledges made for the Paris Climate Agreement..." |doi-access=free }}{{Cite web |last=Phiddian |first=Ellen |date=5 April 2022 |title=Explainer: IPCC Scenarios |url=https://cosmosmagazine.com/earth/climate/explainer-ipcc-scenarios/ |website=Cosmos |access-date=30 September 2023 |quote="The IPCC doesn’t make projections about which of these scenarios is more likely, but other researchers and modellers can. The Australian Academy of Science, for instance, released a report last year stating that our current emissions trajectory had us headed for a 3°C warmer world, roughly in line with the middle scenario. Climate Action Tracker predicts 2.5 to 2.9°C of warming based on current policies and action, with pledges and government agreements taking this to 2.1°C. |archive-date=20 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920224129/https://cosmosmagazine.com/earth/climate/explainer-ipcc-scenarios/ |url-status=live }}
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Climate change in Suriname is leading to warmer temperatures and more extreme weather events in Suriname. As a relatively poor country, its contributions to global climate change have been limited. Because of the large forest cover, the country has been running a carbon negative economy since 2014.{{Cite web|date=2020-01-31|title=Suriname's climate promise, for a sustainable future|url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/01/1056422|access-date=2020-06-07|website=UN News|language=en}}
Suriname was the second country to update its Nationally Determined Contributions in 2020.{{Cite web|title=Suriname's Second National Communication - In Progress {{!}} UNDP Climate Change Adaptation|url=https://www.adaptation-undp.org/projects/surinames-second-national-communication-progress|access-date=2020-06-07|website=www.adaptation-undp.org|language=en}}
Greenhouse gas emissions
Suriname has claimed a net-negative carbon economy since at least 2014. This is in large part because dense forests cover over 93% of the country.{{Cite web|date=2020-01-31|title=Suriname's climate promise, for a sustainable future|url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/01/1056422|access-date=2020-06-07|website=UN News|language=en}} Most of the rainforest is still in pristine condition,{{cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1017|title=Central Suriname Nature Reserve|website=Unesco|access-date=8 June 2020}} however it is being threatened by gold mining{{cite web|url=http://www.cedla.uva.nl/20_research/pdf/vDijck/suriname_project/chispa_artikel.pdf|title=Een weg komt nooit alleen|website=University of Amsterdam|language=nl|access-date=8 June 2020}}{{Dead link|date=December 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} and logging companies.{{cite web |url=http://goldmanprize.org/2009/southcentralamerica |title=Wanze Eduards and S. Hugo Jabini. Suriname Forests |publisher=Goldman Environmental Prize |access-date=8 June 2020}}
= Petroleum industry =
{{Further|Staatsolie Maatschappij Suriname}}
Petroleum exports are an important part of the economy of Suriname,{{Cite web|title=Suriname {{!}} UNDP Climate Change Adaptation|url=https://www.adaptation-undp.org/explore/south-america/suriname|access-date=2020-06-07|website=www.adaptation-undp.org|language=en}} much of which is controlled by the state owned Staatsolie Maatschappij Suriname. As of January 2020, an American corporation, Apache Corporation, was drilling wells in Maka Central.{{Cite web|last=Blum|first=Jordan|date=2020-01-22|title=Climate change also poses a threat to oil's exploration budgets, report finds|url=https://www.chron.com/business/energy/article/Energy-transition-threatens-oil-and-gas-14994639.php|access-date=2020-06-07|website=Houston Chronicle}}
Impacts on the natural environment
= Temperature and weather changes =
According to the World Bank, temperatures have already increased across the country, with a significant increase in hot weather.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Historical Climate Data Suriname|url=https://climateknowledgeportal.worldbank.org/country/suriname/climate-data-historical|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607150146/https://climateknowledgeportal.worldbank.org/country/suriname/climate-data-historical |archive-date=2020-06-07 |access-date=2020-06-07|website=climateknowledgeportal.worldbank.org|language=en}} Though precipitation has not shown any significant trend changes, projections suggest significant changes in different parts of the country.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Climate Data Projects Suriname|url=https://climateknowledgeportal.worldbank.org/country/suriname/climate-data-projections|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607150143/https://climateknowledgeportal.worldbank.org/country/suriname/climate-data-projections |archive-date=2020-06-07 |access-date=2020-06-07|website=climateknowledgeportal.worldbank.org|language=en}}
= Sea level rise =
90% of Suriname's human activity is on the Northern coast, which is particularly vulnerable to sea level rise and salt water intrusion.{{Cite web|title=Suriname's Second National Communication - In Progress {{!}} UNDP Climate Change Adaptation|url=https://www.adaptation-undp.org/projects/surinames-second-national-communication-progress|access-date=2020-06-07|website=www.adaptation-undp.org|language=en}}
Impacts on people
= Economic impacts =
== Agriculture ==
{{Further|Agriculture in Suriname}}
Though agriculture is a decreasing part of the total economy of the country, accounting for 9% of GDP in 2012, it is the third largest part of the Surinamese economy employing 15% of the population in 2009.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Impacts on Agriculture|url=https://climateknowledgeportal.worldbank.org/country/suriname/impacts-agriculture|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607150528/https://climateknowledgeportal.worldbank.org/country/suriname/impacts-agriculture |archive-date=2020-06-07 |access-date=2020-06-07|website=Climate Change Knowledge Portal|publisher=World Bank|language=en}} Changing weather and flood events are expect to have significant negative effects on agriculture in the country. 49% of the economic losses of May 2006 floods in Suriname were agricultural.
= Health impacts =
The greatest risk Suriname faces is the flooding of the rivers. The population is concentrated around major rivers like the Suriname, Commewijne, and Marowijne River in an area a few meters above sea level.{{cite web|title=Over 350,000 Surinamese to benefit from flood risk management|url=https://www.preventionweb.net/news/view/63703|access-date=9 June 2020|website=Prevention Web}} In 2006 and 2015, there were majors floods even resulting in deaths.{{cite web|title='Doden als gevolg overstromingen Suriname'|url=https://www.nu.nl/algemeen/728526/doden-als-gevolg-overstromingen-suriname.html|access-date=8 June 2020|website=nu.nl|language=nl}}{{cite web|title=Wateroverlast in Suriname door zware regen|url=https://www.waterkant.net/suriname/2015/06/01/wateroverlast-in-suriname-door-zware-regen/|access-date=8 June 2020|website=Waterkant|language=nl}}
Mitigation and adaptation
= Policies and legislation =
The Surinamese government was proactive about updating its Nationally Determined Contributions statement in 2020, second only behind the Climate change in the Marshall Islands. The major commitments included maintenance of forests as a carbon sink, 35% renewable energy by 2030, and sustainable farming and transportation investments.
References
{{Reflist}}{{Suriname topics}}
{{Climate change regions|state=expanded}}