THE HAGUE – Increasingly extreme temperatures in the Caribbean are creating growing risks for public health, biodiversity and tourism, according to the Netherlands' latest national security assessment on climate and natural disasters.
The 2026 report, prepared by the National Security Analysts Network (ANV), identifies extreme heat as one of several climate-related threats expected to affect the Caribbean part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The researchers warn that temperatures in the Caribbean can reach higher levels than those experienced in the European Netherlands, increasing the potential consequences for residents and natural ecosystems.
The assessment refers to the summer of 2023 as an exceptionally hot period and cites temperatures between 40 and 50 degrees Celsius in its discussion of regional climate risks.
The report does not establish that such temperatures were recorded across Curaçao itself, and the figures should not be interpreted as a local temperature measurement for the island.
According to the researchers, extreme heat can contribute to health problems and the loss of biodiversity.
Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can create additional pressures on public health systems, particularly where vulnerable individuals have limited access to cooling or appropriate protection.
The report also identifies the consequences of warming conditions for marine ecosystems.
One of the concerns is coral bleaching, which can occur when elevated water temperatures place coral organisms under severe stress.
The researchers specifically mention coral bleaching as an example of biodiversity damage associated with increasingly extreme conditions in the Caribbean.
This issue is particularly important for Curaçao, where coral reefs support marine biodiversity and contribute to the island's appeal as a diving and tourism destination.
The assessment also identifies the growing presence of Sargassum seaweed as an environmental challenge.
Large accumulations of Sargassum can affect coastal environments and create problems for beaches and tourism activities.
The researchers describe the seaweed as a threat that can contaminate beaches and affect coastal conditions.
Beyond marine ecosystems, the report warns that changing rainfall patterns can create alternating periods of drought and intense precipitation.
These extremes may contribute to erosion and place additional pressure on natural environments and infrastructure.
The combined effects of high temperatures, environmental degradation and extreme weather could have economic consequences for Caribbean islands that depend heavily on tourism.
The report identifies tourism as an important source of income that may be affected by worsening climate-related hazards.
For Curaçao, the findings underline the close relationship between environmental protection, public health and economic resilience.
The assessment does not quantify the number of Curaçao residents who may experience heat-related illness or estimate the financial losses that coral bleaching and Sargassum could cause locally.
Instead, it identifies these developments as broader threats that require attention in future national security and climate adaptation planning.
The report's conclusions suggest that the consequences of climate change should not be viewed solely in terms of hurricanes and flooding.
Rising temperatures and the gradual deterioration of natural ecosystems can also create long-term challenges for the health, economy and environment of the Caribbean islands.