An Oxford University environmental scholar has warned the Caribbean it could eventually lose tourists and suffer extreme climate hardship unless climate change is reversed.

Dr. Murray Simpson, from the University's Centre for the Environment, spoke of these possibilities while addressing this week's tenth annual Caribbean Conference on Sustainable Tourism, organised by the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO), which was attended by Premier Ewart Brown.

The week-long summit, in the Turks and Caicos Islands, ended yesterday.

Dr. Simpson also cautioned that unless steps are taken to reverse climate change, the Caribbean region can expect severe weather conditions that will place its tourism sector at risk.

He explained: "Air temperature, sea surface temperature, a rise in sea level, coastal erosion, changes in levels of precipitation, and an increase in intensity and frequency of extreme events such as drought, flood, storm surge, and hurricanes are all indicative of both gradual and extreme impacts of unchecked climate change."

Speaking on the subject, 'Challenges for the Caribbean Coastal Tourism Environment', the environmental researcher felt it was unfortunate that the Caribbean could bear the brunt of unchecked environmental issues — because the region is not a major contributor to Global Warming.

"The Caribbean generates a very small carbon footprint itself, yet it is inordinately impacted by this global challenge," Dr. Simpson contended.

He strongly recommended mitigation measures to achieve carbon neutrality for businesses and institutions.

They include eliminating the emission of greenhouse gases by resisting activities that are not entirely necessary.

"We can reduce the emission of greenhouse gases by focusing on energy efficiency practices in specific activities," he stated.

"We can also substitute practices that are responsible for a big amount of greenhouse gases emissions with practices that have a lower climate footprint.

"An institution or business unit can then offset remaining emissions to achieve full climate neutrality."

The Caribbean conference is organised by the CTO in collaboration with the Turks and Caicos Islands Tourist Board and the Caribbean Hotel Association.

It is designed to provide attendees with information on the development and implementation of tourism practices "in a responsible manner".