It’s time to look Beyond the Postcard
We’re used to seeing picture-perfect postcards and images of holiday destinations, especially on social media. However, these picture-perfect images are often not the reality.
The reality is that these destinations are the ones that are deeply affected by human factors and climate change. On a recent trip to Barbados, I took the opportunity to show what is behind the picture-perfect reality. What is beyond the postcard.
Having recently been hit by Hurricane Beryl, albeit not to the same impact as other nations, there were noticeable changes caused by the hurricane which are becoming more frequent and more severe because of climate change.
A coconut tree leaning out to sea…
Because the beach has been eroded and it has been uprooted and fallen. Meanwhile a digger tries to repair the beach to prevent further damage.
White sandy beaches…
Covered in rotting sargassum seaweed. An increasing problem because of warming water and an increase in phosphate and nitrogen water pollution feeding the growth of it.
A lone tree looking out to sea…
Roots exposed because the beach has been eroded and they are now matted with plastic waste dragged from beach bins by huge waves and floods. Eventually, that same plastic will end up in the sea.
The deep blue for miles…
And miles of sargassum seaweed on its way to the beach becoming an ever-increasing problem unless we can find solutions or more uses for it.
A beautiful coral sea fan…
One of many, ripped from the seabed by storm-driven waves, destroying the habitat for small fish and sea creatures.
