He Caribbean Sea Level Rise Centercreated in 2021 to better prepare communities for the impact of this climate threat and save lives, closed operations “given the limitation of existing funds at both the local and federal levels,” he confirmed. The New Day.
The decision also responded to “strategic planning” issues, establishing Lucy Crespochief executive officer of the Trust for Science, Technology and Researchto which the Center was attached, in a message sent to its staff and advisory board. A similar text was published on the portal of the program.
At the request of this medium, Crespo indicated, in writing, that The Center ceased on September 30by deciding to focus the “efforts of the research and development pillar in the areas of research and intellectual property.” He maintained that it was a determination based on “the priorities” of the Trust’s 2025-2028 Strategic Plan, including fiscal aspects.
“(The Center) had not obtained external subsidies for its operation and expansion, therefore, we decided to cease the program. A factor that we carefully evaluated is that, in the current and projected federal grants, no funds were visualized on this topic and, in fact, several grants that were submitted at the end of last year (by the Center) were canceled,” he added, defending that alternatives for continuity were explored, including “strategic alliances” and presentation of specific projects to organizations, “but without success.”
The Center began operations at the end of August 2021, with the renowned oceanographer John Englander as CEO and architect Fernando Pabón Rico as a manager.
1/18 | Do we lose our beaches? Images of how the sea knocks on the doors of many buildings. On Buyé beach, in Cabo Rojo, where you can see buildings that are practically on the edge of the beach. – Teresa Canino Rivera
In his statements, Crespo did not detail, although he was asked, how much the deficit was that caused the closure of the program.
In terms of the employees affected, he said “it was a small group,” of four, and “the Trust handled this process with sensitivity and responsibility.” “Support was offered, including guidance on internal and external opportunities, as well as support in professional transition. Some were relocated to other areas of the Trust, while others completed their management in accordance with the contractual terms.”he added.
He explained that the tools developed by the Center “remain in the custody” of the Trust, and any organization or person interested in accessing or reviewing said materials, “for research purposes,” can request them “through official channels.” He even commented that “some of the elements will continue to be used to complete activities in other programs.”
According to Crespo, the Center completed its work “attending to previous commitments and completing tasks of ‘grants’ received to close them with the compliance that characterizes the Trust and its programs”.
Finally, he denied that the cessation responded to “ideological positions” or “external factors” related to the climate debate, alluding to the denialist attitude of the current administration donald trump. “The Trust remains firmly committed to climate resilience and applied science,” he said, highlighting “significant projects” developed from the program, such as the platform for projecting coastal changes in Arkly and the documentary “When the sea reaches us”.
He United Nations Environment Program argues that sea level rise is a direct consequence of climate changemainly caused by warming oceans and melting glaciers. In Puerto Rico, one of its most evident manifestations is the coastal erosion.