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