What is the relationship between what we can see, what we remember and what we can learn form science? On St. Martin, we see an island that looks different each season: storm-battered, dry, lush and flowering. We are lucky to have the stories and memories of an older generation. Scientific study can also help us understand the island.
In many cases, these sources of information agree. Anyone who lived through Irma knows how ferocious she was, and many have memories of previous storms to compare. The idea that climate change will bring stronger storms is not abstract in St. Martin. It is very real. Caribbean countries, and other island nations, are leaders in the effort to fight climate change.
Sometimes we struggle to make sense of things. When masses of sargassum first arrived on our beaches, it was a surprise. It quickly became a curse. Over the last few years, scientists have been working to learn where it comes from and why. Our knowledge is quickly growing. On a practical level, we are watching to know when it is coming and developing ways to collect it before it chokes Caribbean beaches and bays.
Science, story and the scene around us are all modes of observation. Scientific observation is structured. Data is collected so conclusions can be drawn from the results. On St. Martin, one weakness of science is a lack of data. In the past, few scientists studied the island, so we don’t have much data about how it has changed.
Story and memory are observations gathered over time. On St. Martin, these can be very valuable. We might be able to learn how often crops were lost due to very dry weather, or when a certain introduced animal was first seen on the island. Through storytelling and written journals, these memories can stretch back generations.
When we look at the scene around us, we get a snapshot of the island. It is the most immediate and real observation. It may also disagree with what we know. Looking at the green island today, it is easy to forget the months of very dry weather that just ended. Recent studies show a scary decline in insects around the world, a danger to everything in nature that depends on them. For the moment, it is hard to imagine, with a butterfly on every flower and a caterpillar on every leaf.
The green leaves and bright pink flowers of the coralita vine are all over the island. Science shows it is a threat, smothering native plants. Old timers can probably remember when it wasn’t so common because fields were farmed or full of livestock. Looking at it, abuzz with life in the soft light after a rain, it’s easy to see the beauty in it.
What changes have you seen in St. Martin over the years? Tell us by writing in to The Daily Herald or to info@lesfruitsdemer.com.