In Puerto Rico, Battling Coronavirus and Climate Change

In Puerto Rico, Battling Coronavirus and Climate Change

There are five confirmed cases of coronavirus in Puerto Rico so far, but the residents of the island are taking big steps to try to prevent the further spread of the disease, such as a strictly-enforced curfew from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. and the closure of ‘non-essential’ businesses like shopping malls or recreation centers.

Why This Matters: Puerto Rico is now home to 3.5 million Americans and it is “one of the world’s most storm-vulnerable regions,” according to the Associated Press.

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Water Infrastructure Crumbling Under Climate Change Pressures

Water Infrastructure Crumbling Under Climate Change Pressures

The U.S. flood control system of levees and dams are worn out and not up to the threat that climate change is posing them.  On Sunday, The New York Times reported that across the flooded Midwest, the vaunted federal levee system that was supposed to protect towns and farmland from devastating floods “is now so full of holes that many [there] ruefully describe it as ‘Swiss cheese,’” leaving many areas without flood protection at all. 

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