By Norma Cherry-Fevrier
Economist III
Ministry of Finance, Economic Affairs, Planning and Social Security
St. Lucia

Global warming can be defined as an increase in the average temperature on the earth due to the greenhouse gas effect, which causes changes in climate.  Recent warming of the earth is a cause for concern since temperature changes are accelerating (London, 2004).  Based on NASA GISS surface temperature readings, the eighteen warmest years on record from the time when consistent recording began in 1880, have occurred since 1980, with eleven of those years occurring from 1990 (See Figure 1.0).  In light of this, Small Island Developing States (SIDS), the smallest emitters of greenhouse gases are among the areas most significantly impacted by accelerated global warming (London, 2004).  Additionally, according to NASA , the year 2011 was the ninth warmest year on record, with an average global temperature of 0.92 degrees F (0.51 C), warmer than the mid-20th century baseline.  In essence, these facts illustrate a long-term trend of increases in global temperature.