Advancing Sustainable Natural Resource Policy in the Caribbean

The islands and territories of the Caribbean region are home to a variety of unique ecosystems that contribute to human wellbeing in numerous ways. They are also the source of tremendous, yet volatile economic value. Despite their importance, Professor Schuhmann suggests that these ecosystems and the goods and services that they provide continue to be threatened by local and global stressors. Local impacts on the natural environment are often driven by the basic need to exploit land, water and coastal resources for economic gain. Yet, this exploitation often comes at a real economic cost. Professor Schuhmann’s paper provides a comprehensive overview of the importance of conservation policy in the Caribbean region. He presents many salient points that recognize the implicit economic value of the natural environment. This paper digs deeper and explores a set of recommendations for researchers to make their efforts more relevant and impactful. The author sums the problem neatly with the following quotation: “[…] we can do a better job at connecting our research to policy outcomes and directives. Academic researchers often produce only vague visions of a sustainable future without connections to clearly defined policy actions that will move us forward” Research needs to be driven by non-monetary gains and easily communicated to the non-scientific community, involving local stakeholders in all aspects of research, from inception to dissemination of findings. Professor Schuhmann urges researchers to push beyond their “discipline-specific comfort zones” and into “interdisciplinary teams” to advance collaborative work, policy development, and the triple bottom line (social, environmental, and economic aspects).