Cómo el mar está devorando las costas de Puerto Rico | BBC Mundo

Summary

The coastal erosion in Puerto Rico is rapidly claiming land, with the sea advancing inland and destroying homes and infrastructure. The human impact of development, including poorly planned constructions near the shoreline, has exacerbated this issue. The increasing strength of hurricanes, combined with rising sea levels and the destruction of natural barriers like coral reefs and mangroves, is accelerating the erosion. Despite efforts from the government to address the situation, the damage is growing, and the future of the coastal economy remains uncertain, urging for urgent solutions before the problem worsens.

Takeaways

• 😀 Coastal erosion in Puerto Rico is rapidly advancing, swallowing up land and destroying infrastructure.
• 😀 Many houses, like Janet's, have been gradually lost due to the encroaching sea, leaving residents with few options.
• 😀 Over the last few decades, Puerto Rico's beaches have disappeared, with significant portions of the coastline vanishing.
• 😀 Poor urban planning and construction close to the coast have aggravated the problem, altering natural processes like the movement of sand and dunes.
• 😀 Puerto Rico's government recognizes the outdated coastal protection laws but has struggled to address illegal construction and rising sea levels effectively.
• 😀 The destruction of natural barriers such as coral reefs and mangroves is exacerbating the speed of coastal erosion and making it harder for beaches to recover after storms.
• 😀 The rising frequency and intensity of hurricanes, especially events like Irma and Maria in 2017, have worsened the erosion issue.
• 😀 Former popular tourist destinations, such as Isla de los Ratones, are shrinking, with some areas becoming inaccessible due to the erosion.
• 😀 The economic impact of coastal erosion on Puerto Rico's coastal communities is significant, with many businesses reliant on tourism and beach activities suffering.
• 😀 Climate change, including rising sea levels and stronger hurricanes, is accelerating the degradation of Puerto Rico’s coastlines, making it harder to find solutions.
• 😀 The proverb 'What comes from the sea returns to the sea' reflects the inevitable consequences of the damage caused by human activity and climate change.

Q & A

What is the main environmental issue discussed in the script?

The main issue discussed is coastal erosion in Puerto Rico, which is causing the sea to advance inland, swallowing up land and damaging homes and infrastructure.

How has coastal erosion affected the residents in Loíza, Puerto Rico?

Residents like Janet in Loíza have witnessed the sea gradually claiming land where homes once stood. The erosion has caused severe damage to properties, including Janet’s home, which is falling apart due to the encroaching sea.

What role does human development play in the current state of coastal erosion?

Human development, particularly unplanned and poorly thought-out construction near the coastline, has altered the natural flow of currents, beaches, and dunes, contributing significantly to the erosion problem.

How has the beach in Loíza changed over the past decades?

The beach in Loíza has nearly disappeared, with the coastline retreating significantly over the years, especially after the 1980s when the sea began advancing closer to the land.

What impact has climate change had on Puerto Rico's coastal erosion?

Climate change has intensified the problem by increasing the frequency and strength of hurricanes, accelerating sea-level rise, and the loss of natural barriers like coral reefs and mangroves, which previously helped protect the coastline.

How did the people of Puerto Rico rely on the beaches and coastal areas in the past?

In the past, the beaches were vital for both tourism and recreation. They provided a source of income and attracted visitors who enjoyed the natural beauty and leisure activities offered by the coastline.

What are the consequences of poorly planned coastal development?

Poorly planned coastal development has disrupted the natural coastal processes, such as sediment movement and beach rebuilding, which exacerbates erosion and leads to long-term environmental and economic damage.

What is the government's response to the erosion problem?

The government has acknowledged the issue and the need for updated coastal laws. It has also taken action against illegal constructions and installed some protective structures, such as sea walls, though these measures have not been entirely effective.

What significant natural features have been lost due to erosion?

Natural features such as beaches, trees for shade, and roads that once lined the coastline have been lost or severely diminished due to the advancing sea and increased erosion.

What does the saying 'Lo que es de la mar a la mar vuelve' mean, and how does it relate to the situation?

'Lo que es de la mar a la mar vuelve' translates to 'What belongs to the sea returns to the sea.' This saying reflects the inevitable and ongoing nature of coastal erosion, suggesting that areas taken by the sea will eventually be reclaimed by it, reinforcing the environmental challenges Puerto Rico faces.