How the French & Dutch Sides Can Unite for Climate Action

TL;DR Summary of “Navigating Shared Vulnerabilities: Climate Adaptation on the Split Island of Saint Martin”

Flamme, E. (2024). Navigating Shared Vulnerabilities: Climate Adaptation on the Split Island of Saint Martin (Doctoral dissertation, Massachusetts Institute of Technology).

Facing the Elements: Climate Challenges on a Split Island

The island of Saint Martin, shared by French Saint-Martin and Dutch Sint Maarten, faces severe climate risks such as hurricanes, rising sea levels, and flooding. Each side, governed separately by France and the Netherlands, has its own adaptation strategies, yet struggles to align with local needs due to differing international ties. The split governance adds complexity to managing unified climate strategies across the island.

“For residents of Saint-Martin, the inevitability of managed retreat…poses greater long-term difficulties around the communication of uncertainty”​

Perceptions of Risk: Hurricanes and Cultural Awareness

Hurricanes, particularly Hurricane Irma (2017), are not only natural disasters but pivotal events shaping climate awareness on Saint Martin. These storms highlight the vulnerability of the island's infrastructure, while also exposing the weaknesses in preparedness and response.

“Nearly 95% of buildings…had suffered moderate damage or destruction” due to Hurricane Irma​

French Saint-Martin’s Strategy: Adapting French Policies to Local Needs

On the French side, Saint-Martin follows France’s Natural Risk Prevention Plan (PPRN). This top-down approach, while aiming to prevent natural disaster risks, often does not fully align with local perspectives or needs, as it imposes strict zoning restrictions on vulnerable coastal areas, impacting community development.

• Main Challenge: Aligning French policy with Saint-Martin’s community expectations.

“The PPRN was perceived as a ‘cartographic violence’—a visual denial of community rights to the coasts and the sea”​

Dutch Sint Maarten’s Strategy: Local Initiatives and Limited Support

Dutch Sint Maarten’s climate adaptation relies more on local NGOs than on direct support from the Dutch government. This limited resource allocation often leads to gaps in adaptation measures, despite the significant climate threats the island faces.

• Core Issue: Limited support from the Dutch government has left climate adaptation under-resourced.

“Non-profit organizations…offer a patchwork of limited but necessary strategies to address environmental risk”​

Building Bridges: A Unified Climate Response for Saint Martin

The study suggests a unified approach, emphasizing collaboration between Saint-Martin and Sint Maarten to address shared vulnerabilities. This collaboration would involve merging both regions’ approaches to develop policies that cater to the island’s unique climate needs.

Develop “shared goals for climate adaptation” that integrate both local and governmental perspectives​

Grounded Interludes: Exploring Saint Martin’s Unique Landscape

“Grounded Interludes” are essays included in each chapter, offering insight into Saint Martin’s natural landscapes and their cultural significance. These essays illustrate the island’s distinct beauty and the environmental challenges it faces, adding depth to the climate adaptation discussion.