Initiatives

Dr. Tischa Muñoz-Erickson from the International Institute of Tropical Forestry (IITF) of the USDA has been collaborating with Alianza por la Cuenca del Río Piedras (Alianza) in building transformative adaptive capacities with communities in the Río Piedras Watershed, in particular, underserved communities at the frontline of both flood impacts and the large infrastructure flood projects in which they have been excluded from the design process. A core objective for the Alianza this year was to connect the different leaders and groups working with these communities into a community of practice that facilitates knowledge exchange and co-learning on flood adaptation strategies.

Dr. Pablo Méndez Lázaro is providing education and capacity building to help integrate a multi-hazard perspective into efforts exploring adaptive strategies for flooding. On August 21, 2023, Méndez-Lázaro led a Community Dialogue on the topic of Urban Heat in San Juan with 12 residents from different communities in the watershed. He presented the latest trends on heat waves regionally and urban heat specifically, emphasizing the impacts on health and potential solutions, such as heat advisories, adaptation mechanisms, and benefits of nature-based solutions.

Muñoz-Erickson and Wanda Crespo, NOAA’s Climate Adaptation Specialist, collaborated with the Alianza to plan and facilitate a Community Summit held on November 4th, 2023. The Summit was a one-day workshop that brought the different communities along the Río Piedras to identify common concerns and objectives for addressing flood risks at a watershed level. Approximately 30 community leaders from eight different communities participated in the summit and came together to form the Coalición Comunitaria de la Cuenca del Río Piedras, or Coalición (Río Piedras Watershed Community Coalition).

Our team in collaboration with the American Society of Adaptation Professionals (ASAP) presented in their Climate Service Providers Academy (CSPA) on key initiatives aimed at enhancing climate adaptation in the Caribbean region. It covered the Caribbean Climate Adaptation Network’s (CCAN) endeavors to foster equitable adaptive capacities in the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Additionally, it explored the innovative project-based learning methods developed by Worcester Polytechnic Institute within CCAN to bolster community climate adaptation efforts. There was also information on a specialized tool designed for evaluating drought and water resources in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, offering valuable insights for sustainable water management practices. Furthermore, it highlighted the Caribbean Coastal Ocean Observing System (CARICOOS), a responsive initiative driven by stakeholders and users to address regional and national needs in the US Caribbean, revolutionizing ocean observation practices and enhancing resilience in coastal communities.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations urge global efforts toward environmental, social, and economic priorities. CCAN with help from the Local2030 Island Network has develop a homegrown strategy aligned with the SDGs, allowing for tailored adoption of the global agenda at a local level in collaboration with our partners. The CCAN’s SDG’s Dashboard serves as an accessible online tool for monitoring progress, ensuring accountability, and promoting transparency regarding Puerto Rico’s sustainability objectives. This platform resulted from a collaborative effort, involving a wide range of stakeholders from the public, private, and community sectors across the island. Working in partnership these stakeholders identified and agreed upon key statewide indicators to be tracked through the Dashboard.

Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands have common warm temperatures, and as a result, people often do not perceive excessive heat as a danger. Temperatures are rapidly increasing worldwide and in the Caribbean region due to human-induced climate change. Heat and humidity are reaching dangerous levels, suggesting that local populations are likely experiencing more heat stress and danger than they are accustomed to. In this context, it is crucial to understand how extreme heat impacts our educational environments, places where the community spends a significant portion of their time. This study aims to understand the perceptions and experiences of employees in these institutions and to seek solutions to better adapt to this new climatic reality. The information you provide is essential to help us identify and evidence how extreme heat affects the health and well-being of employees in educational settings. Your participation is anonymous, voluntary, and confidential.

The institutions participating in the study are the University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus (UPR-RCM), the University of Albany, the University of the Virgin Islands, and the University of South Florida. This research project is funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Climate Adaptation Partnerships (CAP)/Regional Integrated Sciences and Assessments (RISA): Grant Number: NA22OAR4310545.

The study objectives are: 1) To analyze and understand the perceptions, vulnerabilities, and experiences of employees on school premises regarding extreme heat, as well as the associated risks and barriers; and 2) To identify potential solutions and adaptations to face these conditions in the educational environment.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE IN THE STUDY?

You can participate in the study if you are currently an employee of any public or private educational institution (this may include: teacher, teacher’s aide, therapist, psychologist, social worker, maintenance staff, cafeteria staff, administrative staff (principal, secretaries, etc.), nurse, security personnel) and are over 21 years old.

Participants who live in Puerto Rico: https://forms.gle/uupqPhXZtqgGKsBA7 

Participants who live in the US Virgin Islands: https://forms.gle/dUWDLwD5YWrkLiC66