puerto rico
Newsletter
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New map reveals nearly half of the US faces landslide risk
Government scientists have released new data showing that 44% of the U.S. is at risk of experiencing landslides, with some areas particularly vulnerable.
In short:
- A new interactive map from the U.S. Geological Survey identifies nearly 44% of the U.S. as susceptible to landslides.
- High-risk areas include Appalachia, the Rocky Mountains, the California coast, southeast Alaska and Puerto Rico, where more than 90% of the territory is at risk.
- Landslides are often triggered by heavy rain and human development, with climate change increasing the likelihood of intense rainfall events.
Key quote:
“The best protection is knowledge. Knowing what a landslide is and how it might impact you is the best first step toward preparation.”
— Benjamin Mirus, research geologist with the United States Geological Survey
Why this matters:
Landslides pose a significant hazard, especially as climate change increases extreme rainfall, which is a primary trigger. Understanding landslide risks helps communities prepare and reduce the potential for devastating loss of life and property.
Related coverage: California's Highway 1 faces increasing threats
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Efforts to revitalize Puerto Rico's grid face delays and challenges
Puerto Rico's struggle to modernize its electrical grid, despite substantial federal funding, is hindered by outdated infrastructure, privatization and bureaucratic inefficiencies.
In short:
- Despite $14 billion in federal funds allocated for grid transformation, implementation lags, leaving the island vulnerable to frequent blackouts.
- Privatization of the grid has led to decreased reliability and higher costs, as private companies prioritize profits over public service.
- Advocates push for decentralized renewable energy solutions, yet progress is slowed by political and financial obstacles.
Key quote:
“It’s frustrating for the people here to see that they thought that this was a big opportunity for improvement, and it’s the same. We’re still working with these big companies. . . . We’re still reliant upon someone else.”
— Lorena Vélez Miranda, attorney for Earthjustice
Why this matters:
Puerto Rico’s outdated and unreliable grid not only jeopardizes lives during storms but also threatens economic stability. A shift to decentralized, renewable energy could provide long-term resilience and self-sufficiency for the island.
Be sure to read:
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Puerto Rico advocates for rooftop solar to replace aging power plants
A community in Puerto Rico is advocating for the adoption of rooftop solar panels as a sustainable energy solution as old fossil-fuel power plants near retirement.
In short:
- Residents of Guayama and Salinas face health risks from local coal and oil power plants, spurring interest in renewable energy alternatives.
- The federal government allocated $440 million for rooftop solar projects in Puerto Rico to help transition to renewable energy.
- Local initiatives like Coquí Solar support vulnerable communities by providing affordable solar kits to ensure power during blackouts.
Key quote:
"For too long, communities in Puerto Rico have suffered untold inequities — from challenges with access to clean drinking water to fragile infrastructure that cannot withstand the increase and intensity of storms brought on by climate change."
— Michael Regan, EPA Administrator
Why this matters:
As the detrimental effects of traditional power sources become increasingly evident, solar, wind, and other sustainable alternatives are seen not just as energy solutions but as essential steps toward health and environmental preservation.
Swapping out coal energy for solar would prevent 52,000 premature deaths in the United States every year.
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Puerto Rico faces dengue emergency amid rising cases
In a bid to curb an unprecedented surge in dengue fever, Puerto Rico declares a public health emergency, highlighting the escalating challenge posed by mosquito-borne diseases globally.
In short:
- Puerto Rico's health department records a 140% increase in dengue cases, reaching epidemic levels with 549 cases this year.
- The island's struggle is part of a larger global trend, with climate change and environmental factors contributing to the spread of diseases like dengue.
- Despite the growing threat, efforts to control the outbreak include public education, vaccine campaigns, and innovative mosquito control technologies.
Key quote:
"It’s a complex problem, but climate change, and most importantly consistently increasing temperatures, even in higher elevations, [create] fertile ground for an outbreak."
— Manisha Bhinge, vice president of the Rockefeller Foundation’s Health Initiative
Why this matters:
Dengue fever, a mosquito-borne viral disease, presents a significant health challenge in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, including Puerto Rico. Characterized by high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, joint and muscle pain, and rash, dengue can progress to more severe forms such as dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome, potentially leading to death.
Be sure to read EHN’s piece: Pollution, climate change and the global burden of disease.
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Puerto Rico commits to solar incentives as mainland states pull back
Puerto Rico extends solar incentives while other states reduce them, showcasing commitment to renewable energy.
In short:
- Puerto Rico is maintaining its solar energy credits, diverging from the trend of states like California and Arkansas reducing such incentives.
- The decision supports the island's ambitious clean energy goals and enhance energy security, especially in the face of frequent power outages.
- This policy has garnered unanimous political support.
Key quote:
"It is our responsibility to promote the transformation of our electricity system and promote any initiative that aims to avoid: the excessive dependence on fossil fuels, environmental pollution and increasing the effects of climate change."
— Puerto Rican Law on solar energy incentives
Why this matters:
Puerto Rico's steadfast support for solar incentives not only aligns with broader environmental goals but also addresses the immediate need for energy resilience in disaster-prone areas, directly impacting health and safety outcomes.
LISTEN: Daniel Carrión on the "heat stroke or go broke" dilemma
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Photo by Hiram Santa on Unsplash
Puerto Rico is using residents’ home batteries to back up its grid
The yearlong pilot could be the first step in creating a residential-storage virtual power plant larger than any in North America.
Newsletter
Photo by Sonder Quest on Unsplash
Climate change stresses physical and mental health in Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands
Extreme hurricanes, flooding, and rising temperatures are piling more pain on island residents already suffering the effects of colonization and systemic inequality, according to the fifth National Climate Assessment.
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