The Universidad Domínico Americano (UNICDA) and the Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo (INTEC) held the keynote conference and panel “Inaction on Climate Change: Impact on the Economy of Puerto Rico,” a gathering that brought together national and international specialists to reflect on the challenges this issue poses for the region.

 

The event took place in the Auditorium of the Social Security Observatory (OSES) at INTEC. The welcome remarks were delivered by Eng. Arturo del Villar, rector of the host institution.

 

The keynote lecture was given by Eng. Carl-Axel P. Soderberg, member of the Committee of Experts and Advisors on Climate Change of Puerto Rico, former president of the Inter-American Association of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering (AIDIS), and former director of the Caribbean Office of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Following the presentation, a panel was held, moderated by Lic. Enrique A. Fernández Malla, rector of UNICDA.

 

Participants included Eng. Soderberg; Eng. Martín Meléndez, professor and researcher in the Engineering Department at INTEC; Eng. Mirna Argueta, president-elect of AIDIS; and Rafael Méndez Tejeda, professor of Climatology and Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Puerto Rico in Carolina.

The meeting provided a space for exchange on the economic consequences of inaction on climate change and response perspectives in the region. The question and answer session allowed participation from the live audience as well as those who followed the broadcast via YouTube.

 

With this joint initiative, UNICDA and INTEC promoted academic dialogue and collaboration among specialists around a topic of great relevance for the sustainable development of the Caribbean.