Sancti Spiritus, August 8 (RHC-Granma)-- The Caribbean Sea is penetrating the southern coast of Cuba at a rate of 1.3 meters annually as a result of climate change, according to authorities from the Ministry of Science and Technology (Citma) in Sancti Spiritus.

As a result, salt water penetration, soil erosion and the disappearance of mangroves are increasingly felt in the La Sierpe and Sancti Spíritus municipalities, located by the Caribbean Sea in the south central part of the island.

Leonel Diaz, Ministry of Science and Technology representative in Sancti Spíritus, said climate change is impacting the province's beaches, tourism development and agricultural production.  In order to mitigate the effects, local companies cultivating rice -- one of the main economic lines -- seek to obtain varieties that are more resistant to salinity, and to water stress.