How Climate Change Alters The Hydrologic Cycle in Puerto Rico

- Jadyn Tunnell

Climate change is an undeniable aspect of today’s modern society. Defined by the rising global temperatures, increasing rate of coastal erosion, and high rate of ocean acidification that is disrupting marine life and ecosystems all over the globe, climate change is a very real and pertinent issue. Climate change doesn’t simply alter one aspect of our society, rather it alters the atmosphere-hydrosphere-biosphere-geosphere system of the globe. These systems interact constantly, and while these systems try to balance each other out the effects of climate change by cycling carbon throughout the systems, the exponential growth of energy use and fossil fuel emissions has made an unconquerable task for the world’s spheres. Today, we will focus on how climate change is altering the hydrologic cycle in Puerto Rico, and how this alteration is impacting Puerto Rican tourism and economic stability. 

To better comprehend the magnitude of the climate issues Puerto Rico is facing, it is essential to understand what climate change is. First, it is important to distinguish between two terms that are often confused: climate and weather. According to the Cambridge dictionary, weather is defined as “the conditions in the air above the Earth such as wind, rain, or temperature, especially at a particular time over a particular area”(Cambridge 1). To summarize, weather describes the state of the atmosphere in the short-term, typically from minutes to days, and the changes within the atmosphere within this time frame. Climate is not weather. Climate is defined as “the general weather conditions usually found in a particular place”(Cambridge 1). Climate describes the much slower varying aspects of the 

atmosphere-hydrosphere-biosphere-geosphere system, typically over one month or more. When discussing climate change, we are not discussing the change in temperature from day to day, but rather the “long-term change[s] in the average weather patterns that have come to define Earth’s local, regional, and global climates”(NASA 1). We are honing in on the overall atmospheric trend of increasing concentrations of CO2, rising global temperatures, coastal erosion, rising sea levels, etc. 

Now that we have a baseline understanding of climate, it is time to delve deeper into how climate change is altering the hydrologic cycle, specifically in Puerto Rico. Since the late 1700s, “people have increased the amount of carbon dioxide in the air by 40 percent”(EPA 2). The automotive revolution, increasing industrialization, urbanization, and a culture of consumption (especially in the Americas) has all contributed to an increase of energy use and fossil fuel burning, releasing more and more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. The emission of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide is what drives the rising sea levels and changes and atmospheric circulation of water vapor that are associated with climate change. As the Earth continues to warm, the hydrologic cycle is being altered. All over the world, “the horizontal transport of water vapor by the atmosphere [is] increase[ing],” leading to an “increase [in] the efficiency of water export in regions that are already dry” (Paynter 3). Increased water export from Puerto Rico will likely lead to an increase in the frequency of irritatingly hot days. Changing weather trends can further impact Puerto Rico’s economy by dissuading travelers from exploring the territory. Water vapor isn’t the only component of the hydrologic cycle that’s experiencing the effects of climate change. Since 1960, “sea level has risen about four inches relative to Puerto Rico’s shoreline” (EPA 4). Sea level rise coupled with an increase in the probability of high swells due to climate change greatly increases the risk for flooding in Puerto Rico. The territory already has spent billions on recovering from the earthquakes in 2019 and 2020 and the hurricanes in 2017, and an increase in Puerto Rico’s risk is the exact opposite of progress. The effects of climate change on the hydrologic cycle have made Puerto Rico even more susceptible to damage and coastal erosion than it already was. 

Puerto Rico is especially vulnerable to climate change. Puerto Rico is unique in that its geography and “small water-storage capacity leave the island’s water supply and developed flood plains vulnerable to extreme weather events”(USGS 1). Climate change is notorious for increasing the frequency of fast-onset and slow-onset climate events that will disrupt this fragile balance. Fast-onset events like high water swells, tsunamis, and floods have the potential to cost the archipelagic island not only millions of dollars in infrastructure damage, but also hundreds of years of cultural history. Additionally, the damage caused by these hydrologic events are not exclusively affecting the land mass, but they are also affecting the marine ecosystems surrounding the island. When these fast-onset water swells occur, the “sediments originating from roads in the region can threaten marine ecosystems and accumulate easily in runoff”(Ramos-Scharrón 4). Not only does this threaten marine biodiversity, it also threatens job security for many Puerto Ricans. The archipelago is known for its big game fishing industry, and an increased rate of sediment runoff could negatively impact this industry, and further the Puerto Rican economy. Puerto Rico is at an increased risk of suffering from climate change because of its topography and reliance on marine wildlife for economic stability. 

The climate crisis in Puerto Rico highlights another harrowing aspect of climate change: the disproportionate effects of climate change on smaller territories. According to the Climate Reality Project,“Puerto Rico accounts for 0.04% of the world’s population, and practically 0% of the world’s emissions” while “The United States of America accounts for 4.2% of the world’s population and nearly 12% of the world’s emissions”(The Climate Reality Project 2). The fast-fashion, overconsumption, and consumerism trends in the United States have effects that reach far beyond national borders. These practices, while they may be appealing and seemingly exclusive, are incredibly harmful for our environment. The “average U.S. consumer throws away 81.5 lbs of clothes every year” and “the fashion industry is responsible for 20% of global waste water”(Igini 3,5). Climate change is not just an issue affecting Puerto Rico, and Puerto Rico is not entirely responsible for its current climate state. In order to help curb the climate in vulnerable nations like Puerto Rico, it is paramount that industrialized nations like the United States do their part to contribute fewer emissions, consume less, and champion the cause of environmental justice. 

The impact of climate change on the hydrologic cycle is not yet entirely understood, and will likely be a topic of research and discourse for years to come. However we do know that the alterations in the distribution of water vapor are leading wetter regions of the world to get more moist and drier regions to experience prolonged and more intense droughts. With the knowledge we have now, it is clear that territories and islands like Puerto Rico are at an extremely high risk, both industrially and geographically. It is of the utmost importance to reduce consumption, energy use, and implement cleaner practices in our lives to fight both environmental justice and climate change.

Works Cited (In The Order They Appear)

WEATHER | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary 

CLIMATE | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary 

What Is Climate Change? - NASA Science 

What Climate Change Means for Puerto Rico 

Hydrological Cycle and Atmospheric Circulation – Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory What Climate Change Means for Puerto Rico 

Hydrology and climate of four watersheds in eastern Puerto Rico: Chapter C in Water quality and landscape processes of four watersheds in eastern Puerto Rico | U.S. Geological Survey Puerto Rico Particularly Vulnerable to Climate Change, Research Suggests - Stormwater Report How the Climate Crisis is Impacting Puerto Rico | The Climate Reality Project 10 Concerning Fast Fashion Waste Statistics | Earth.Org