Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Daryl Vaz is reiterating calls for Jamaicans to protect mangroves.
A study has revealed that Jamaica’s mangroves provide approximately US$32.7 million in protection to its heavily settled coastline areas, giving the island added protection against the increasing effects of climate change.
The minister says, even with the presence of mangroves, the estimate of coastal flooding due to storms here in Jamaica has been put at US $136.4 million in damages.
However, what is alarming is that without mangroves, the estimated damage from flooding would be US$169 million annually.
-ALADDEN LOVE
