Climate change has a substantial impact on the socio-ecological status of many countries. In particular, this problem is typical for islands, for which these transformations can become critical. Hence, within the framework of this work, a study of the differences and similarities of such territories as Puerto Rico and Haiti will be conducted. As part of this analysis, the socio-ecological status of these islands and the level of their vulnerability to issues of climate change will be investigated. There is a need to study this topic because both lands face challenges from climate change that threaten their survival.
First, it is necessary to gain awareness about the selected plants and the natural conditions and climate in Puerto Rico and Haiti. Henceforth, Puerto Rico is an island located in the northeastern Caribbean Sea and is part of the territory of the United States of America (Wagenheim, Wagenheim, and Thomas, 2023). The climate is characterized as tropical, with warm high temperatures and humidity levels throughout the year. The lands have a rich number of natural resources and fertile soils, on the maintenance of which the life of the entire population depends (Wagenheim, Wagenheim, and Thomas, 2023). Moreover, the socio-economic status of this territory also has relatively high indicators, as it has well-established infrastructure and strong economic connections to the US. The main drivers of Puerto Rico’s economy are tourism, agriculture, and manufacturing. It is worth noting that despite the multiple benefits and characteristics of the territory, human activity and natural disasters cause multiple transformations.
The main problem facing Puerto Rico is significant changes in climate and natural resources. Issues such as sea level rise, increased storm intensity, and changes in precipitation patterns become the central areas of helplessness (States Summaries, 2022). These circumstances are the result of a reduction in valuable resources that reduce agricultural and industrial activity. Moreover, they have a negative impact on tourism activities, as they reduce the flow of visitors to the island due to the danger of floods or hurricanes. Regarding natural resources, Puerto Rico is experiencing such problems as deforestation, land use changes, and pollution. These aspects become a consequence of progressive human and industrial activity. Pollution leads to the degradation of soils and water resources, which destroys not only the island’s economic situation but also makes a detrimental contribution to people’s lives.
Haiti is also a territory located in the Caribbean Sea. The climate of the land has elevated temperatures, which vary depending on the season, and an increased degree of humidity (Lawless, MacLeod, and Girault, 2023). Valuable territories covered with forests and natural resources are currently experiencing negative consequences of human activity. The main concerns are deforestation and the threat of frequent hurricanes. Regarding socio-ecological systems, Haiti has a much less developed one than Puerto Rico’s, with weaker infrastructure and a less diverse economy. On the other hand, agriculture and tourism also have an essential role in the development of the economic sphere.
The main factors that have affected the differences in the socio-ecological status of Puerto Rico and Haiti are historical and political. This is because Puerto Rico was colonized by Spain and then by the United States, which contributed to the formation of a strong infrastructure and economy (Martínez-Rivera and Hodge, 2022). Even though Hawaii was also once a colonial territory, they have not experienced growth in these areas of activity. It is worth noting that within the framework of the political system, both lands have suffered severe political upheavals, which hindered their development.
The main similarity between Puerto Rico and Haiti is the growing concern about climate change. As noted earlier, both territories are subject to such transformations as rising sea levels and hurricanes, and in some cases, they may have prolonged droughts (Wood, 2019). On the other hand, the leading distinguishing feature is the level of their helplessness when facing the issues. Thus, Puerto Rico, due to its high socio-ecological level, is more prepared for possible climate changes and can make timely decisions to limit its effects. The weak side of this aspect is the inability to withstand the consequences of droughts and heavy rainfall, which significantly slow down the island’s agriculture. At the same time, the underdeveloped infrastructure and economy of Haiti have less resistance to possible climate challenges. Therefore, in the event of such natural disasters as hurricanes or floods, this area may be subject to severe harmful consequences that will reduce agriculture and tourism productivity.
In conclusion, Puerto Rico and Haiti are beautiful lands for tourists, as well as for production and agriculture. This is due to high temperatures throughout the year and the presence of fertile soils and lands. At the same time, these territories have significant differences in socio-ecological status, which plays an essential role in resisting and preparing for natural disasters and climate change. Thus, Haiti’s low indicators make it more helpless to the emergence of these problems, unlike Puerto Rico. Despite this, both territories have the opportunity to become more resilient and sustainable in the conservation of nature and natural resources.
References
Lawless, Robert, Murdo J. MacLeod, and Christian Antoine Girault. 2023. “Haiti.” Web.
Martínez-Rivera, Christian, and Samuel R. Hodge. 2022. “Original Paper the History and Culture of the United States Commonwealth of Puerto Rico: A Historical Brief.” International Education and Culture Studies 2(1): 29-41.
States Summaries. 2022. “Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.” Web.
Wagenheim, Kal, Olga J. Wagenheim, and Thomas G. Mathews. 2023. “Puerto Rico.” Web.
Wood, Gillen D’Arcy. 2019. “Climate Delusion: Hurricane Sandy, Sea Level Rise, and 1840s Catastrophism.” Humanities 8(3): 131.