BACKGROUND
The Coastal Protection Unit in conjunction with the Institute of Marine Affairs, ventured into coastal communities that were considered ‘hot spots’ of coastal erosion. These areas were deemed high-risk areas after careful research and analysis was conducted during the social survey assessment of the Comprehensive National Coastal Monitoring Programme. The coastal communities that were targeted were located in the eastern, southern, south western and northern regions of Trinidad and Tobago. The school tour was part of the stakeholder engagement component of the Comprehensive National Coastal Monitoring Programme. The CPU targeted students of primary and secondary schools. To date, the Unit has visited 37 schools where they have carried out sensitization and awareness sessions via PowerPoint and video presentations all in a bid to explain the burgeoning problems that have plagued these coastal communities.
SCHOOL TOUR OUTLINE:
Power point presentations were made to the students via multimedia projections. The topics hereunder were discussed by the Unit to the students:
Definition of the coast
Students were first asked to give their own definition of the coast. We also gave them our definition of the coast so that they can compare and contrast their answers.
Importance of the coast
Students were asked to identify activities that they may engage in along the coast and they were able to explain the different activities that occur along the coast. We also assisted them by explaining more activities that occur along the coast.
Dangers along the coast
The students were able to name and explain the dangers along the coast as well as how to avoid these dangers.
Causes of Coastal Flooding
The CPU highlighted the causes of flooding and the students were very intrigued as to what causes these phenomena.
Climate Change and the Coast
When this point was highlighted, we explained to them if they had any experiences on the coast where this is concerned and they gave a positive response. We were then able to delve into what happens when climate change affects the coast.
Measures to protect the Coast
These ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ structures such as sea walls, rip raps, gabion baskets, mangroves, and reefs were highlighted and discussed. The students were able to give specific examples of where they had seen these structures.