1.
Sea Level Rise has passed a tipping
point… we must rise with the tide.
- John Englander

2.
The Problem:
Flooding is getting worse…
Sea level rise has passed a tipping point…
We cannot undo global warming quickly
enough…
Coastal communities are in jeopardy.
Image Source: NOAA

3.
Our Solutions:
RESILIENCY + ADAPTATION
Coastal Zoning and Building Codes Policy Reference Center,
Adapting to Rising Seas in Changing Coastal Margins Advisory Service,
Shoreline Resiliency and Adaptation Education, Training, and Certification
Program,
Database and Resource Center,
and many more…

4.
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
1970 1972 1978 1985 1987 1988 1989 1990 1997 1998 2004 2010 2012 2015 2017 2020 2021
For Perspective, a Half a Century Historic Timeline
John Englander's Milestones Policy Institutionalization Key Reports Major Storms Major Flood Control Projects

5.
An urgent task…
 $70,186.9 million USD ( PR’s 2020 GNP), $103, 138.3 million USD (PR’s 2020 GDP)
 $2.5 billion in tourism activity per year , mostly dependent on the shore…
 Over 16 Billion USD in CDBG-DR program reconstruction efforts after hurricane María.
 $1.575 Billion USD in slated USACE storm surge protection projects.
 $139 Billion USD in estimated costs for recovery after hurricanes Irma & María.

6.
An urgent task…
 44 coastal municipalities,
 About 155 shore side barrios,
 About 799 miles of shoreline
 Approximately 253,000 buildings in currently floodable areas

7.
0 500,000 1,000,000 1,500,000 2,000,000 2,500,000 3,000,000 3,500,000
Type
of
threat
Population Vulnerabilities
Vulnerable to Coastal Erosion
Exposed to other types of coastal flooding
Have experienced storm surge flooding
Believe they are exposed to river based flooding
Have experienced overflowing storm sewer flooding
Inhabitants of Coastal Municipalities
Total Population
An urgent task…

8.
Puerto Rico has the comparative
advantage of high elevation
With adequate planning
and investment, we can
prevent economic activity
and assets from becoming
stranded in low lying areas.
Image Source: NOAA
0.00
0.50
1.00
1.50
2.00
2.50
3.00
3.50
4.00
2 feet 3 feet 6 feet
Estimated % of land loss and new sea level
height
Percent of land loss 1 cuerda = .97 acres
24552.7
5
cuerdas
37,096.4
2cuerdas
81,690.5
cuerdas
This is an area 642 times
the size of Old San Juan.

9.
Caribbean Center for Rising Seas
Team
Fernando Pabón, AIA, CAAPPR
Program Manager
Accomplished Architect
Gilberto Guevara, MBA
Senior Director
Highly Experienced
Administrator
John Englander,
Executive Director
Internationally Renowned
Oceanographer

10.
Our funding campaign…
$500,000 invested by the PRSTRT in the Caribbean Center for Rising Seas .
About $3 million are needed for annual operations and supporting 12 staff members;
About $4 million are necessary for building our showcase headquarters;
About $6 million are necessary for building a program sustainability endowment;
$23k x year x coastal municipality or 53 cents per shoreline municipality inhabitant = over $1
million .

11.
Why act now:
1. Flood resistant design and construction will reduce property damage and loss of life.
2. Make Puerto Rico “future ready” - a model for the Caribbean and the world.
3. Flood resistant buildings and infrastructure will attract more investment.
4. People will visit Puerto Rico to see what we are doing to adapt in advance of future
flooding.
5. Create a better legacy and inheritance for future generations .

12.
Summary:
The excess heat already stored in the sea, will melt the two major ice sheets
for centuries, pushing us towards the last high-water mark, 7 meters above
present;
We are implementing 4 innovative programs;
Puerto Rico is the ideal place to innovate and put forward pioneering
solutions;
A team of visionary experts leads the program;
The best time to act was decades ago. The next best time is now.

13.
caribbeancenterrisingseas.org