Many island nations are vulnerable to climate change and reliant on costly fossil fuels, creating economic pressures. Renewable energy pathways are feasible and economically viable on islands, but research gaps remain. Studies highlight pathways for islands to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 through high electrification and rapid renewable energy adoption. Solar PV dominates electricity generation in tropical islands, with offshore technologies providing a scalable pathway to a sustainable energy future. Wave power enhances energy system diversity and complements solar PV and wind power generation. The concept of a Solar-to-X Economy in tropical islands, where low-cost solar PV electricity is used to produce e-fuels, e-chemicals, and e-materials, enables deep defossilization of hard-to-abate sectors. Importing e-fuels can play a key role in cost-effective renewable energy systems on islands like the Caribbean and the Maldives. Integrating solar PV-driven solutions within a Solar-to-X Economy provides environmental and economic benefits, with key elements for defossilization including low-cost renewable electricity, energy storage, electrification, e-fuel imports, sector coupling, and grid interconnections. Power-to-X technologies are crucial for achieving carbon neutrality, energy security, and economic growth in island nations, with solar energy being a key focus in research at LUT University.
Tag: Caribbean
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NOAA chief plugs AI in forecasting as hurricane season wraps
NOAA Administrator Neil Jacobs emphasized the use of artificial intelligence technologies to improve hurricane forecasts, with a focus on enhancing reliability and reducing risks for coastal residents. AI has been utilized to enhance storm prediction models through data mining and machine learning, incorporating billions of data points for clearer hurricane behavior forecasts. The National Hurricane Center's use of AI has resulted in successful rapid intensification forecasts and decision support for Caribbean partners, showcasing the potential of AI in advancing climate solutions for more accurate and timely predictions.
https://www.eenews.net/articles/noaa-chief-plugs-ai-in-forecasting-as-hurricane-season-wraps/
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Cows, Jamaica, & Solar — Winning The Clean Energy Revolution
Agrivoltaics, the combination of solar and farming, is a beneficial practice that can provide financial benefits for farmers. Solar farms using sheep for vegetation control have been successful, with the sheep's excrement serving as fertilizer. Silicon Ranch is pioneering the combination of cattle and solar energy, introducing a system called CattleTracker to ensure the safety of both the animals and the solar panels. Solar grazing, a practice where livestock graze on land underneath solar panels, is being implemented by companies like Silicon Ranch to address greenhouse gas emissions from cattle farming. In the Caribbean, solar energy and battery storage systems are being increasingly used to provide electricity during and after hurricanes, with Jamaica aiming to reach 50 percent solar power by 2030.
https://cleantechnica.com/2025/11/11/cows-jamaica-solar-winning-the-clean-energy-revolution/
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Cropped 5 November 2025: Nature finance at COP30; Storms devastate crops; Brazilian deforestation decline
Key climate-related points from the section include Brazil's announcement of an 11% drop in deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon, Malaysia and Indonesia updating their climate targets ahead of COP30, and the failure of UN biodiversity negotiations to agree on recommendations for the next major round of discussions. Additionally, Hurricane Melissa caused damage to crops in the Caribbean, while Cyclone Montha affected the agricultural sector in India, leading to significant losses for farmers. Around 1.7 billion people worldwide are living in places where human-driven land degradation is leading to falling crop yields, posing a threat to agricultural productivity and food security. Nigeria approved a new national carbon market framework to unlock up to $3bn annually in carbon finance, reinstated funding for climate change initiatives, and committed to mainstreaming climate action into national development. American pop star Billie Eilish announced a donation of $11.5m from her upcoming tour proceeds to causes dedicated to food equity, climate justice, and reducing carbon pollution. Eel trafficking in Europe, combined with habitat loss, pollution, and the climate crisis, is driving the slippery fish towards extinction. The COP30 UN climate talks in Brazil are focusing on the Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF) as a new funding mechanism to protect tropical forests. However, concerns have been raised about the fund's design and effectiveness in preserving forests. Brazil is also pushing for increased use of sustainable fuels and the development of biodiversity offsets and carbon credit markets. Despite a deadline for new climate pledges, only a third of countries have submitted them so far. Climate finance experts are concerned that the focus on private sector involvement is weakening official funds for climate solutions at COP30. They argue that addressing root drivers of tropical forest loss, such as changing diets and shifting harmful subsidies, would unlock serious grant money for countries. New science highlights the impact of expanding irrigation on water depletion and the potential climate implications of ammonia emissions from farming. The article also includes information on greenwashing in agriculture, wildlife trafficking, rainforest threats in Nigeria, and life in Sulawesi island.