Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce Holds Climate Change Summit

The Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce organized a climate change summit aimed at discussing the economic and infrastructure challenges posed by climate change. Experts underscored the need for resilience in development strategies, while societal and environmental impacts were thoroughly examined. Estimates indicated potentially enormous economic losses by 2050 if proactive measures are not implemented, further stressing the urgency for sustainable infrastructure solutions.

The Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce convened a significant summit focusing on climate change and its implications for the island. This event, named “Summit 2025: Alert! Condominiums, Buildings and Climate Change Collapse”, aimed to foster discussions among public, private, and academic leaders regarding effective strategies for adapting to climate change while pursuing sustainable development.

Luis Pizarro, the chamber’s president, emphasized the necessity of this forum, stating, “This forum is a key event for the viability of economic development and the construction sector in Puerto Rico. It addresses the structural and regulatory challenges that may affect investment and sustainable growth.” The discussions touched upon crucial topics such as real estate security, climate adaptation, innovative construction practices, and the vulnerable financial sectors tied to climate impacts.

Engineer Carl-Axel P. Soderberg, a Committee member on Climate Change, presented alarming statistics concerning the economic repercussions of inaction, predicting losses by 2050 could total $235 billion in manufacturing and significant declines in other sectors. He stressed addressing climate risks is vital to protect Puerto Rico’s economy. Maritza Barreto, from the University of Puerto Rico, revealed the severe infrastructure challenges posed by rising sea levels, indicating the risks of erosion and flooding affecting numerous residential and transportation structures.

Barreto provided insights on the changes in Puerto Rico’s infrastructure over recent years. As of 2020, a significant 22% of the population resided in low-lying coastal areas, contributing to the vulnerability to climate-related disasters. Pizarro reiterated the urgency of establishing a robust construction sector, asserting, “A modern, safe and resilient construction sector is essential for Puerto Rico’s economic growth,” thus advocating for the development of resilient infrastructures to combat climate threats.

The Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce’s climate summit highlighted urgent concerns regarding the economic impacts of climate change on the island. Key discussions revealed significant potential financial losses across various sectors, emphasizing the necessity of proactive climate adaptation and sustainable development strategies. As Puerto Rico faces rising sea levels and vulnerable infrastructure, establishing a resilient construction sector emerges as a pivotal factor for future economic growth and safety.

Original Source: newsismybusiness.com