envejecimiento/ Health, wellbeing and ageing), conducted by the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) in seven capitals of Latin American and Caribbean countries showed the prevalence of chronic conditions in persons aged 60 and older in Bridgetown and Havana

Environmental sustainability ranks high on the list of priorities for the Caribbean region. Given the exponential growth and increased visibility of the nuclear power industry, how are Caribbean policy makers situated in the current framework of nuclear transport and environmental protection? This paper surveys nuclear related activities that point to increased nuclear traffic through the Caribbean and critiques on how Caribbean policy makers and scholars are implicated in the projected increase in nuclear transport and the attendant potential of nuclear accidents. Caribbean national governments, nongovernmental organizations, and local collectives must place the ability to maintain quality-of-life existence that is valued by citizens as crucial parts of their overall agendas. The fact that no major nuclear accidents have occurred in the region should not negate preparation for one. Caribbean states, which have historically been at the forefront of nuclear non proliferation policies, must take the initiative and began instituting policies for disaster preparedness and the environmental degradation that would result from a disaster. How well prepared are Caribbean countries to respond to nuclear accidents? Does the region have sufficient energy resources and an effective disaster plan that they could rely on in the event of such an accident? How can the Caribbean sustain its fragile ecological sea life if a nuclear transport vessel pulls up lame in one of its ports for repairs and begins to seep radioactive material? And, what indirect effect does this threat have on the sustainability of the vibrant and healthy cultures that exist in the region? Every country in the region must consider these questions. Discussion on how to answer pressing questions on the environment and how to prevent and/or monitor nuclear materials transport should be a priority along with other economic, cultural, and political concerns. Threats to environmental stability, such as unregulated and frequent transport of radioactive and toxic materials challenge the region’s ability to maintain, for example, ecologically safe fishing waters and the brisk tourist trade that depends not only on clean fishing waters but also on the perception of overall environmental health. This paper by surveying nuclear materials transport and related activities that point to increased nuclear traffic through the Caribbean offers recommendations and policy proposals on real and potential threats to environmental sustainability, as well as, threats to Caribbean national security.