Environmental Challenges: Paradise Under Threat

Climate change and environmental degradation threaten French Caribbean survival:

Rising Seas and Stronger Storms

Islands face existential threats: - Sea level rise eroding coastlines - Hurricane intensity increasing - Coral reef bleaching - Saltwater intrusion into freshwater

"My grandmother's house survived every hurricane for 80 years. Maria destroyed it in hours," recounts Pierre-Louis Bélaise. "Storms are different now—angrier."

The Chlordecone Scandal

Banana plantations used the pesticide chlordecone until 1993, despite known dangers: - Soil contaminated for centuries - Water sources polluted - Prostate cancer rates among world's highest - Fishing zones closed - Agricultural land unusable

"They poisoned our land for profit," states activist Jessica Oublié. "Now we can't grow food safely, can't fish certain areas. Environmental racism in action."

Sargassum Invasion

Since 2011, massive seaweed influxes plague coastlines: - Tourism beaches covered - Toxic gas emissions when decomposing - Fishing industry disrupted - Health impacts on coastal communities - Cleanup costs enormous

"Sargassum is climate change made visible," explains marine biologist Dr. Damien Chevallier. "Ocean temperature changes, current shifts, agricultural runoff—all create this plague."

Biodiversity Loss

Development pressures threaten unique ecosystems: - Mangrove destruction for construction - Endemic species facing extinction - Reef degradation from pollution - Deforestation for development

"Every hotel built destroys nesting grounds," warns environmental activist Hélène Souan. "We're trading tomorrow's survival for today's euros."