Assignment What are the major challenges facing sustainable development in Caribbean SIDS and what are possible ways to address these challenges? Discuss. Reponse Sustainable Development is a term that was introduced by the World Commission on Environment and Development which is a group appointed by the United Nations. It is defined as a carefully calculated system of resource management which aims to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of the future generation to meet their own needs. Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the Caribbean have recognized the need to embrace this concept of sustainable development because the populations in these countries are increasing but resources are limited. In addition, these countries aspire to increase food security, boost self-reliance and maintain and improve their standard of living. However, these Caribbean islands encounter challenges in their quest to achieve sustainable development. Three major challenges will be addressed in this essay. One obstacle that Caribbean SIDS face is susceptibility to natural disasters. The major natural hazards that these developing islands face are earthquakes, hurricanes, flooding caused by torrential rains and landslides caused by earthquakes and heavy rains. Some islands are also subjected to the risk volcanic eruptions and the potential hazard of tsunamis. Developing states in the Caribbean are vulnerable to earthquakes because they are located within the vicinity of two tectonic plates, the North American plate and the Caribbean plate. Consequently, the region’s seismic activity is rated moderate to severe. One major earthquake occurred on January 12th 2010 in Haiti where 230,000 people were killed and over 300,000 people were injured. 30% of the capital city, Port au Prince was destroyed and over 293,383 homes were damaged. In addition, 4000 schools were damaged or destroyed. The Caribbean is situated in the North Atlantic Region and is prone to hurricanes annually. The destructive potential of a hurricane is significant due to high wind speeds and torrential rains that produce flooding and landslides. The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale is a 1 to 5 rating that estimates potential property damage. Hurricanes reaching Category 3 and higher are considered major hurricanes because of their potential