The Dominican Republic is experiencing severe impacts from climate change, with increasingly intense weather phenomena, record temperatures, and environmental disruptions threatening biodiversity and the livelihoods of its citizens.
Recent heatwaves, torrential rains, and flash floods, such as those in November 2022 and 2023, exemplify the current and future threats to the stability of this island nation. Eduardo Julia, Executive Vice President of the Sur Futuro Foundation, highlighted these risks during a climate change communication course organized by the foundation and the Pontifical Catholic University Mother and Teacher (Pucmm).
Julia explained that climate change is causing alarming shifts in nighttime temperatures and water availability, affecting both ecosystems and agricultural production, with significant implications for essential products like coffee and chicken.
Weather data indicates a considerable increase in temperatures across the Dominican Republic, with nighttime temperatures no longer experiencing the usual drops necessary for certain crops. This change is impacting agriculture, as products like sugar cane and coffee, which require a thermal difference between day and night, face production challenges. Notably, coffee cultivation, which previously thrived at 500 meters above sea level, now requires altitudes of at least 600 meters, jeopardizing traditional farming areas and increasing pressure on national parks located at higher elevations.
Climate change is also affecting urban areas. Santo Domingo could see temperatures similar to those in Azua, and the disruption of temperature balance is impacting water availability in reservoirs due to a now unpredictable water cycle.
“We will see a decrease in water availability,” warned Julia, explaining that the world’s water is redistributed in response to temperature variations, leaving some areas in drought and others with excess water.
Life zones, which depend on temperature, rainfall, and altitude, are also shifting. The unique alpine region of Valle Nuevo could lose exclusive species due to rising temperatures, permanently altering this ecosystem.
The climate crisis has severely affected livestock and poultry production. Heatwaves on farms have reduced milk and meat production, impacting the local economy and food supply. In poultry production, increased mortality due to heat and reduced food consumption have raised costs, affecting final prices for consumers.
The Dominican Republic also faces threats to its coastal infrastructure. With three airports near sea level—Barahona, Samaná, and Puerto Plata—flooding on runways has already been recorded, increasing maintenance costs and jeopardizing tourism, a key sector of the economy. Additionally, rising sea levels have led to beach erosion and the loss of coastal flora, including the iconic palm trees in Las Terrenas, which have been photographed submerged due to coastal erosion.
Coral reefs, vital ecosystems for coastal protection, are also suffering due to ocean acidification from carbon dioxide absorption. It is estimated that only 15% of coral in the country is alive.
Climate change has intensified the vulnerability of entire communities, especially those in rural areas with less capacity to adapt. The community of Boca de Cachón, located by Lake Enriquillo, was the first in the world to be relocated due to climate effects.