Caguas – Faced with rising temperatures, coastal erosion and tensions between development and conservation of natural resources, urban trees They are presented as a response to these climate challenges, and Caguas It already stands out as an example that could be reproduced at the island level, by having a badge that recognizes municipalities dedicated to the sustainable management of their forests and green areas.
This approach was shared by academic, community and municipal representatives who participated in the first day of the Congress on Urban Tree Management –which culminates this Saturday in Caguas–, where local and international specialists presented recommendations on urban planning, green infrastructure, adaptation and responsible management of urban trees, seeking to strengthen the climate resilience of Puerto Rico.
The ecologist Ariel Lugo urged to develop cities with a focus on Social, Ecological and Technological System (STES), which integrates each area as interdependent networks to improve resilience and sustainability, in order to mitigate the damage of possible hurricanes in the future.
“What happened after the Hurricane Maria? There were severe failures in Puerto Rico’s technology sector, most of the mortality occurred after the hurricane. It was due to technological failure, due to electricity failure; When the electricity failed, the social system was paralyzed and the ecological system was also affected.. Because? Because, when the electricity failed, the pumps failed and, when the pumps failed, we were left without water,” Lugo explained, explaining how the three systems are interconnected and must be thought of synergistically so that they do not interrupt the functioning of the country after the passage of atmospheric events.
Likewise, he urged municipalities to preserve more green areas to reduce temperatures that, according to forecasts, will continue to rise.
“Caguas is ahead. But the rest of Puerto Rico has not realized that. And the only way we have to cool the city, to combat the night heat, which is what is killing particularly old people like me and young people, is more vegetation, more water.”said Lugo.
“This congress is an opportunity to reflect on the city and how we make it not only a beautiful and healthy place for its inhabitants, but also a safe place adapted to the extreme events that affect it. To do so, we must expand the focus of participation to a social-ecological and technological one, inviting other professions to join the dialogue that began 129 years ago. “This new SETS coalition is the one that will solve the urban problems of Puerto Rico”he added, as part of his presentation.
For its part, Laura García Santamaríaprogram coordinator We reforest Mexico and who participated as an international guest, highlighted that urban trees help reduce the effects of climate change and inequalities, by offering ecosystem services in the face of increasingly severe phenomena.
At the same time, he urged that more cities join the efforts of Tree Cities of the Worldinternational program managed by the Arbor Day Foundation which recognizes cities committed to the sustainable management of their urban forests, to create more livable communities through the planting and care of trees.
“We are experiencing inequalities and this is where urban trees, the tree as living infrastructure, helps us mitigate these effects of climate change, offering us many ecosystem services.. That more cities, not only in Puerto Rico, but in the Caribbean, Get to know this distinction and join this movement, this network of World Tree Cities. We cannot stop with Caguas alone, we want more cities that meet the basic standards to participate in this distinction, just as it will be a spearhead for the other Caribbean countries,” said García Santamaría.
1 / 10 | Have you seen a flowering ceiba? This is what the majestic tree looks like. The ceiba native to Puerto Rico has the scientific name “Ceiba pentandra.” – FIRST HOUR
In that line, Omarf Ortega Milanésdirector of the Department of Ornament and Beautification of Caguas, recognized the work of the municipality as only city in Puerto Rico certified as Tree City of the World since 2009.
“Four years ago, we held a meeting with around 40 municipalities and explained to them the benefits that this entails. We have met with the Capitoline District, the municipality of Humacao was interested; in this activity, Vega Baja, Mayagüez, San Juan, Guaynabo and Carolina were present,” said Ortega Milanés, explaining that Caguas has shared the initiative with other towns.
Additionally, Lugo expressed his concern about the delay of the Legislature in addressing the Mitigation, Adaptation and Resilience Plan to Climate Change, which has been shelved since 2024, and called on the government to urgently address the report.
“I cannot understand why the government has not paid attention to that report. They are turning their backs on science, they are turning their backs on knowledge and they are putting Puerto Ricans in danger.. Given the reality of the increase in sea level, given the reality of the nocturnal warming that exists on this island, well, if we have solutions, why aren’t we going to implement them?