SLYOU Magazine Issue 1 | Page 55

Working Toward a Solution The stakes are high. In addition to the potential threats to human and ecosystem health, tourism and travel represent 14.6 percent of the Caribbean’s GDP and 13 percent of its total employment. A threat to marine ecosystems is a direct threat to the economic and physical well-being of the region. The economic valuation resource guide points to solutions. Preliminary results for the three pilot areas indicate that these issues could be addressed by updating wastewater management systems and connecting more people to centralized wastewater treatment plants. While the pilot areas lacked sufficient data to complete a quantitative analysis, stakeholders were still able to weigh the costs and benefits of wastewater treatment. Each site demonstrated that the benefits to human health, ecosystems and local economies were greater than treatment costs. Moving forward, policymakers, environment ministers, economists and others throughout the Caribbean can use the report to evaluate wastewater treatment costs and benefits in their own communities by using either cost-benefit analysis or multi- criteria analysis. The guide can also help decision-makers weigh the trade-offs between wastewater infrastructure investment types, such as natural infrastructure (like conservation of wetlands) vs. engineered infrastructure (such as wastewater treatment facilities). With the right tools—and the right data—policymakers can protect the Caribbean’s citizens, ecosystems and economy from the perils of untreated wastewater. Erin Gray is an Associate III for WRI’s Economics Center. She has over 10 years’ experience in Environmental Economics, with expertise in ecosystem service and natural infrastructure valuation; cost-benefit, cost-effectiveness, and multi-criteria analysis; climate change adaptation monitoring and evaluation; landscape approaches for restoration; and ecosystem service markets and conservation finance. Erin provides economics support across WRI’s programs and centers, including leading economic research and analysis and providing general advisory support. She has conducted multiple economic analyses and has led the development of multiple economic methodological frameworks and guidance materials designed to help decision-makers understand the trade-offs of investing in natural resources. Erin received her Master of Environmental Management degree from Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment, concentrating in Environmental Economics and Policy. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in both Economics and Environmental Analysis and Policy from Boston University. www.slyoumag.com | July-August 2019 SL-YOU | Business, People & Lifestyle 53