The main factors influencing the global shift in the characteristics of the Caribbean Sea are considered to be global warming and sea level rise (expected in 2100, it grew by 86.36 cm), higher sea temperatures causing coral bleaching and algal blooms, as well as the changing nature of distribution rainfall and associated runoff, and even the dust generated from sand storms from the Sahara. Negative impact also provides shipping, generating about 82 tons of garbage a year, oil transportation and land-based sources of pollution.
Since the early 1980's, when it was signed by international maritime law, the entire territory of the Caribbean became the territorial waters or the exclusive zone washed by the sea country. The rapid population growth and overuse of marine resources spodvigli international community to take acts aimed at preserving the environment of the region. In 1990, thirteen countries signed the Cartagena Protocol on Protection and Development of the Marine Environment of the Caribbean (Protocol of the Convention for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment of the Wider Caribbean Region), which banned human activity that leads to destruction of the marine environment. In addition, three protocols were signed: on cooperation in combating oil spills (1983), the establishment of special protected areas of wildlife (1990) and on the prevention, reduction and control of pollution (1999).
Currently in the Caribbean there are not more than 23 thousand km ² (10%) of indigenous forests. In Cuba, where are the largest forest island part of the region remained intact for at least 15% of the forests and the rest were cut down in the process of development areas.