Barbuda's Habitability: Is It A Place For Humans?

In September 2017, Hurricane Irma devastated the Caribbean island of Barbuda, with Prime Minister Gaston Browne declaring it barely habitable. The Category 5 storm destroyed 90-95% of the island's buildings and infrastructure, leading to the evacuation of the entire population of around 1,500-1,600 people to neighbouring Antigua.

Barbuda's population, demographics, and language

Barbuda is an island and dependency located in the eastern Caribbean, forming part of the twin-island state of Antigua and Barbuda. It has a population of 1,634 and an area of 62 square miles (160 km2), making it one of the most sparsely populated islands in the Caribbean. The only settlements on the island are Codrington and its surrounding localities.

The population of Barbuda is predominantly of African descent (95.11%), with smaller populations of Mixed Black/White (2.88%), other Mixed (1.00%), Hispanic (0.44%), White (0.13%), Indian (0.13%), Syrian/Lebanese (0.13%), and other (0.13%). The island has a nearly homogeneous population, with 9 reported ethnic origins.

The official language of Barbuda is English, and the Barbudan accent is slightly different from the Antiguan accent. Barbudan Creole is also commonly spoken on the island, and Spanish is spoken by around 10,000 inhabitants.

In terms of age distribution, 33.92% of Barbuda's population are aged 0-17, 50.95% are aged 18-59, and the remaining 15.13% are aged 60 and above. The population is evenly distributed between males and females, with a slight majority of females (50.7%) according to the 2011 census.

The majority of households in Barbuda consist of one to three people, with 34.31% of households made up of only one person, 18.35% of two people, and 16.51% of three people. The remaining households have four or more people.

The economy of Barbuda is largely based on tourism and government, with the central and local governments being the largest employers on the island. The island's pristine beaches, climate, and geography attract tourists from around the world.

The impact of Hurricane Irma on Barbuda

Hurricane Irma was a Category 5 hurricane that struck the Leeward Islands in September 2017, causing catastrophic damage to Barbuda. The storm's eye passed directly over the island, resulting in wall winds, storm surges, and flooding. Irma caused widespread destruction to infrastructure, homes, and natural habitats in Barbuda. Here is an overview of the impact of Hurricane Irma on the island:

Infrastructure and Property Damage

Hurricane Irma's powerful winds and storm surges inflicted severe damage to critical infrastructure and properties in Barbuda. The storm damaged or destroyed 90-95% of the island's buildings, including its hospital, schools, and hotels. The island's lone airport was also rendered inoperative due to the damage, hindering relief efforts. The destruction left most of the houses uninhabitable, with 45% requiring complete replacement. The total property damage on Barbuda ranged from $150 million to $300 million.

Human Impact and Casualties

The hurricane caused significant disruption to the lives of Barbudans, with up to two-thirds of the island's residents, approximately 1,500 people, forced to evacuate to nearby Antigua. The storm claimed three lives in Barbuda and left others injured or traumatized. The devastation and loss of homes took a toll on the mental health and well-being of the residents.

Environmental Impact

Hurricane Irma also had a significant impact on Barbuda's natural environment and wildlife. The storm surge and flooding affected the island's lagoons and coastal areas, including the Codrington Lagoon, home to the magnificent frigate bird colony. The hurricane's impact on the island's endemic bird species, the Barbuda warbler, was a particular concern. While most of the warbler population survived, the storm's impact on their habitat was significant.

Relief and Recovery Efforts

The Government of Antigua and Barbuda sought support from organizations like the World Bank Group to undertake a recovery needs assessment. Relief efforts were challenging due to the damage to the airport and communication infrastructure. International organizations like UNICEF provided essential aid, including tents, water purification tablets, hygiene kits, and other supplies for displaced families. The recovery process involved assessing and stabilizing the livestock population, conducting detailed building assessments, and improving building resilience for schools and public health facilities.

The economy and tourism in Barbuda

The economy of Barbuda is largely based on tourism, with the central government and local government being the island's largest employers. The island's economy is also supported by fishing, with lobster being a significant catch.

Tourism in Barbuda has been increasing, with a notable rise in visitor arrivals by air and sea in 2018. The island's pristine beaches, natural way of life, and opportunities to see animals, fish, and birds in their natural habitat undisturbed are major draws for tourists. The island's unique ecology and geography, including its lagoons, salt ponds, and pink sand beaches, are also attractive to visitors.

However, the island's economy has been described as being in bad shape, with most residents viewing it as poor and being reluctant to make big purchases. The impact of COVID-19 and the devastation caused by Hurricane Irma in 2017 have also affected the economy.

There are concerns about the future of Barbuda's economy, as centuries-old communal land ownership is threatened by the advancement of luxury real estate projects. The construction of an international airport and the development of exclusive luxury residential communities for ultra-wealthy foreigners are also causing concern among locals, who fear the loss of their rural way of life and damage to the island's delicate ecosystem.

Despite these challenges, the Barbudan community is resilient and committed to protecting their land and natural resources. The island's unique communal land ownership system has allowed Barbudans to keep the island out of the global land market and limit the built environment.

The geography and wildlife of Barbuda

Barbuda is an island in the eastern Caribbean, approximately 30 miles (48 km) north of Antigua. It is a flat island with a western portion dominated by Codrington Lagoon, and an eastern portion dominated by an elevated plateau, salty ponds, and scrubland. The island is mostly made up of coral limestone and has very little topographical diversity, with the highest hills reaching heights of up to 38 meters (125 feet). The island's climate is tropical marine, with little seasonal temperature variation and a mean annual rainfall of some 40 inches (1,000 mm). The average daily high temperature in the coolest months of January and February is 27 °C (81 °F), while in the warmest months of July and August, it reaches 30 °C (86 °F).

Barbuda is home to a variety of rare and endemic species, including the Barbuda warbler, a vulnerable species of bird found nowhere else in the world, and the Antiguan racer, one of the rarest snakes in the world. The island also hosts the European fallow deer, an important symbol of the island and country, and the West Indian whistling duck, a near-threatened bird species endemic to the Caribbean. The Magnificent Frigate Bird Sanctuary, located in Codrington Lagoon, is a primary tourist destination and crucial breeding area for these threatened birds.

The first inhabitants of Barbuda were canoe-driving hunter-gatherers around 3,000-4,000 years ago. The island was later inhabited by the Arawak and Kalinago people. Archaeological sites and artefacts from these early periods can be found on the island, including petroglyphs inside Indian Cave, created by the Arawak or Siboney, and ancient human remains at Boiling Rocks, carbon-dated to be 3,100 years old.

Today, the island has a population of approximately 1,500-1,634 people, most of whom live in the village of Codrington. The island has a small population and large areas of undeveloped land, making it a haven for wildlife. The island is known for its pristine beaches and natural coastline, which provide a habitat for hundreds of species of seabirds and animals. Sea turtles nest on nearly every beach, and the island's interior is home to animals such as land turtles, land crabs, guinea birds, donkeys, cattle, horses, pigs, sheep, and goats. The Barbudan way of life, with its long history of communal land ownership and low-impact fishing and farming techniques, has helped preserve this natural environment.

Communal land ownership in Barbuda

The island of Barbuda is part of the twin-island state of Antigua and Barbuda in the Caribbean. It is the only island in the world where all the land is held in common by its residents. The land is not owned by the state, nor is there any private property; the land cannot be sold. Communal land ownership has allowed Barbudans to keep the island out of the global land market, limit development, and protect the delicate ecosystem of its coastal areas and lagoons.

The history of communal land ownership in Barbuda dates back to the abolition of slavery in the British colony in 1834. As the entire island had been covered by a single land grant, the Barbudans continued to cultivate the land communally after slavery was abolished. In 1904, the British Crown granted Barbudans legal status as its lawful tenants in communal possession. This communal possession was maintained throughout the 20th century and was further refined and ratified in the Barbuda Land Act of 2007, which states that the island is owned in common by the people of Barbuda.

The Act entitles each Barbudan to three plots of land: one for housing, one for agriculture, and a third for business. The Barbuda Council, composed of directly elected and ex officio members serving four-year terms, is the legal land administrator. The Council has the power to allocate and lease plots of land, with some leases granted to international investors for a limited number of years. However, major developments require explicit approval by a majority of Barbudans of voting age (18+), who must be fully informed of the complete plans during Village Meetings.

Despite the long history of communal land ownership in Barbuda, this system is now under threat. In recent years, the Central Government and its economic allies have used the devastation caused by Hurricane Irma in 2017 as an opportunity to capitalize on the island's unspoiled condition through land grabs, policy changes, and the advancement of luxury real estate projects.

Prime Minister Gaston Browne has expressed interest in transitioning to a privatized land system, arguing that it will bring development and economic sustainability to the island. In 2018, the government amended the Barbuda Land Act, effectively abolishing communal land ownership. Barbudans would be forced to apply for private land ownership and purchase the plots of land on which their houses are located for a symbolic price.

Activists and Barbuda's sole elected lawmaker, Trevor Walker, have criticized the changes, arguing that they leave Barbudans feeling angry and disenfranchised. They warn that the traditional way of life in Barbuda will be extinguished if wealthy developers are allowed to profit from the changes. The dispute intensified in December 2017 when Parliament amended the Barbuda Land Act to allow private ownership and open the door to foreign investment. In March 2018, the government announced its intention to repeal the law entirely.

The communal land ownership system in Barbuda is a unique aspect of the island's history and culture. It has allowed Barbudans to protect their delicate ecosystem and maintain a rural way of life. However, this system is now under threat from external interests seeking to develop the island for tourism and economic gain. The struggle over land ownership in Barbuda highlights the tension between communal land rights and the pressures of globalization and economic development.

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