An identification of selected environmentally based livelihood issues within the Caribbean

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1108/20425945201100005
Date01 April 2011
Published date01 April 2011
Pages69-80
AuthorCorinne Gregoire
Subject MatterPublic policy & environmental management
Copyright © 2011 WASD 69
*Corresponding author: Cipriani College of Labour and Cooperative Studies, Trinidad and Tobago;
e-mail: corinne_f_gregoire@hotmail.com
An IdentIfIcAtIon of selected
envIronmentAlly BAsed lIvelIhood
Issues wIthIn the cArIBBeAn
World Journal of Science, Technology and Sustainable Development, Vol. 8. No, 1. 2011
Corinne Gregoire*
Cipriani College of Labour and Cooperative Studies, Trinidad and Tobago
Abstract: Developing and maintaining a pattern of sustainable livelihood (SL) is depen-
dent upon the use to which we put our resources, particularly, our natural resources. SL
is dependent upon five principal components; namely the vulnerability context, liveli-
hood assets, transforming structures and processes, livelihood strategies and livelihood
outcomes. DFID (1999), DFID, FAO, IFAD, UNDP, WFP (2001) liveli hood assets also
have many components one of which is natural assets/capital. Once the environment is
shocked the natural assets are directly affected and all other types of assets and principal
components become inoperable. The livelihood outcomes of the Caribbean people, poor
and otherwise, are therefore linked to these natural as sets. The objective of this study is
to possibly shape and create ways of developing and maintaining patterns that can lead
to SLs. It should focus on the available natural resources, access to and optimal use of,
which can transit into the best livelihood outcomes specifically for the poor. Basically, the
outcome should be a body of knowledge that can contribute to SLs within the Caribbean.
This is done with the use of two case studies of Caribbean islands, namely St. Vincent and
the Grenadines (SVG) and Grenada. This paper is divided into four sections. Section one
provides the background for the paper and briefly introduces the concept of SL. Section
two outlines the SL approach. Section three provides an application of the SL approach in
SVG and Grenada from two varying standpoints. Section four makes concluding remarks
on the types and the sustainability of the livelihood strategies and outcomes.
Keywords: sustainable livelihoods; Caribbean context.
IntroductIon
Sustainable livelihood (SL), introduced
by the Brundtland Commission on Envi-
ronment and Development in the 1980s,
began as ‘an approach to maintain or

To continue reading

Request your trial

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT