The Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce hosted a climate change summit to discuss adaptation strategies for sustainable economic growth. Experts warned of severe economic consequences if climate risks are not addressed, predicting substantial losses across multiple sectors by 2050. The event highlighted the need for resilient infrastructure and proactive measures to protect vulnerable populations, emphasizing the significance of a modern construction sector.
The Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce convened a significant summit to address climate change’s implications for the island, titled “Summit 2025: Alert! Condominiums, Buildings and Climate Change Collapse.” This event gathered key stakeholders from public, private, and academic sectors to focus on adaptive strategies that promote both resilience and sustainable economic growth.
Chamber President Luis Pizarro emphasized the summit’s importance for economic viability and the construction sector, stating that it confronts critical structural and regulatory issues that impact investment. The discussions highlighted essential topics such as real estate security, construction innovation, and the financial implications of climate risks, particularly in insurance and project funding.
Engineer Carl-Axel P. Soderberg, a member of the Committee of Experts and Advisors on Climate Change, presented alarming predictions regarding the economic repercussions of inaction. He warned that without addressing climate risks, the cumulative losses by 2050 across various sectors could total $235 billion in manufacturing, $161 billion in housing, $100 billion in services, $7.8 billion in tourism, and $13.3 billion in agriculture.
Maritza Barreto, director of the University of Puerto Rico Coastal Planning and Research Institute, discussed the severe implications of rising sea levels on infrastructure. She noted significant erosion and flooding threats to coastal areas and highlighted that nearly 22% of the population lives in low-elevation coastal zones, which exacerbates risks to critical infrastructure and services.
Pizarro reiterated the necessity of modernizing the construction sector to facilitate economic growth while ensuring safety and resilience against climate challenges. He called for the implementation of sustainable infrastructural practices to mitigate climate-related risks effectively and protect vulnerable communities.
The summit organized by the Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce underscored the urgent need for strategic discussions on climate change adaptation and economic resilience. With projections detailing substantial economic losses and infrastructural challenges posed by climate threats, the call for innovation and proactive measures is clearer than ever. The emphasis on a sustainable construction sector serves as a pivotal point for ensuring the island’s future economic stability.
Original Source: newsismybusiness.com
