Preservation or Exploitation? What to Do with Caribbean Ecosystem

Abstract: Many Caribbean islands grapple with the problems of how to pursue economic development while preserving their fragile natural environment. For many of these countries, the main income generating sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, tourism, and mining induce negative stressors on the natural environment. This paper presents a discussion on the contrasting approaches used by Jamaica and Belize in incorporating natural resource management in the development process. It documents the success and challenges of each country in pursing sustainable development by highlighting how the development process affects the environment and how each country mitigates these effects. The paper also makes a case for promoting the use of economic valuation methods as an essential tool in informing policy decisions in the Caribbean, particularly on matters affecting the natural environment.