SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: THE PUERTO RICO EXPERIENCETHE PUERTO RICO EXPERIENCE

Prof. Carmen González-ToroProf. Carmen González-Toro

Environmental Education SpecialistEnvironmental Education Specialist

Universidad de Puerto RicoUniversidad de Puerto Rico

Recinto de MayagüezRecinto de Mayagüez

Colegio de Ciencias Agrícolas Colegio de Ciencias Agrícolas

Servicio de Extensión AgrícolaServicio de Extensión Agrícola

RULE Institute, January 2007 By

Sustainable Development: Sustainable Development: The Puerto Rico's experience The Puerto Rico's experience

Background informationBackground information Puerto Rico as a territoryPuerto Rico as a territory EconomyEconomy

Sustainable development definitionSustainable development definition The ecological footprintThe ecological footprint

Puerto Rico’s experience and resultsPuerto Rico’s experience and results DiscussionDiscussion

Puerto Rico as a Puerto Rico as a territoryterritory hashas

USA citizenship (since 1917)USA citizenship (since 1917) US Constitution and US federal lawUS Constitution and US federal law

USA currencyUSA currency English and Spanish languagesEnglish and Spanish languages US Social Security benefitsUS Social Security benefits Minimum wageMinimum wage USA border patrol rules and USA border patrol rules and

regulations (INS)regulations (INS)

Puerto Rico as territory hasPuerto Rico as territory has

One resident commissioner with One resident commissioner with voice, but no vote in Congressvoice, but no vote in Congress

No vote in Presidential electionsNo vote in Presidential elections USA defenseUSA defense

Army, Navy, Reserve, National and Army, Navy, Reserve, National and Coast Guard Coast Guard

USA Postal ServiceUSA Postal Service No federal tax for individualsNo federal tax for individuals

Puerto Rico as a territoryPuerto Rico as a territory

Puerto Ricans have been fighting in Puerto Ricans have been fighting in the U.S. armed forces since World the U.S. armed forces since World War I, when the island became a U.S. War I, when the island became a U.S. territory and its residents became territory and its residents became citizens.citizens.

Altogether, more than 150,000 Altogether, more than 150,000 Puerto Ricans served in World War II, Puerto Ricans served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. Korea and Vietnam.

Map Map ofof Puerto Rico Puerto Rico

M AYA G UEZ

AÑ ASC O

AG UAD AM O C A

SAN SEBA STIAN

LA S M A RIA S

M ARIC A O

LA RES

SAN G ERM A N

C ABORO J O

SABA N AG RAN D E

LA J ASG UAN IC A

YAUC O

AD J UN TAS

G UAYA N ILLA

PEÑ UELAS

UTUAD O

C IALES

J AYUYA O RO C O VIS

VILLA LBA

BARRA N Q UITA S

J UAN A D IAZ

C O AM O

C O M ERIO

C IDRA

C AYEY

AIBO N ITO

SALIN A SSAN TAISA BEL

PO N C E

AG UA SBUEN AS

G UAYA M A

C AG UAS

PATILLA S

G URABO

J UN C O S

SANLO REN ZO

M AUN ABO

LA SPIEDRAS

YABUC O AVIEQ UES

C ULEBRA S

HUM AC AO

N A G UA BO

RIO G RAN DELUQ UILLO

FAJ ARDO

C EIBA

LO IZAVEG AALTA

TO A BA J A

TRUJ ILLOALTO

RIOPIEDRAS

M AN ATIVEG ABAJ A

M O RO VISC O RO ZAL

N A RAN J ITO

TO A ALTA

C AM UY AREC IBO

FLO RID A

AG UAD ILLAISABELA

Puerto RicoPuerto Rico Island – 100 miles long, 35 miles wideIsland – 100 miles long, 35 miles wide 3.9 million people 3.9 million people

1,124 persons per sq mile1,124 persons per sq mile 9,000 persons per sq mile in San Juan metro9,000 persons per sq mile in San Juan metro

71% Urban – 29% Rural71% Urban – 29% Rural 78 municipalities or townships78 municipalities or townships Unemployment rate: 12.5%Unemployment rate: 12.5% 58% live under US poverty guidelines58% live under US poverty guidelines

50% fertile soils50% fertile soils 30% land has over 60% slope30% land has over 60% slope

EconomyEconomy

Agriculture…………… 1%Agriculture…………… 1% Industry……………….45%Industry……………….45%

PharmaceuticalsPharmaceuticals ConstructionConstruction

Services……………..54%Services……………..54% TourismTourism Retail storesRetail stores

Employment AlternativesEmployment Alternatives

IndustryIndustry Service jobsService jobs FarmingFarming

Puerto Rico - AgriculturePuerto Rico - Agriculture 1% gross national income1% gross national income

(3% labor force)(3% labor force) Major agricultural productosMajor agricultural productos

MilkMilk PoultryPoultry Starchy crops Starchy crops

(bananas, root crops)(bananas, root crops) CoffeeCoffee

50% fertile soils50% fertile soils 27% land has 36-60% slope27% land has 36-60% slope 30% land has over 60% slope30% land has over 60% slope

Coffee ProductionCoffee Production

The economy of 22 municipalities The economy of 22 municipalities depend on the coffee productiondepend on the coffee production

2004-05 coffee production was 2004-05 coffee production was 175,000 hundred weight (quintales)175,000 hundred weight (quintales)

We do not produce enough coffee to We do not produce enough coffee to supply the local demandsupply the local demand

Coffee plantationCoffee plantation

Coffee shrub with green fruitsCoffee shrub with green fruits

IndustryIndustry

Historically, Puerto Rico, Historically, Puerto Rico, (manufacturing makes up roughly (manufacturing makes up roughly 42% of the economy), has 42% of the economy), has underemphasizedunderemphasized the territory's the territory's $3 billion tourism industry because $3 billion tourism industry because its leaders concentrated on bringing its leaders concentrated on bringing in U.S. companies by offering in U.S. companies by offering federal tax breaks. federal tax breaks.

Tourists choosing Caribbean Tourists choosing Caribbean neighbors over Puerto Rico neighbors over Puerto Rico

USA TODAY 9/2006USA TODAY 9/2006

Puerto Rico's weak performance comes Puerto Rico's weak performance comes as other Caribbean nations with lower as other Caribbean nations with lower operating costs are successfully courting operating costs are successfully courting travelers — including a growing number travelers — including a growing number of upscaleof upscale vacationers — and investing vacationers — and investing significant resources to enhance their significant resources to enhance their tourism infrastructure and hotel room tourism infrastructure and hotel room counts, according to the study.counts, according to the study.

IndustryIndustry

Most manufacturing companies Most manufacturing companies are goneare gone

Factories are closing or Factories are closing or outsourcingoutsourcing

Pharmaceuticals are reducing Pharmaceuticals are reducing operationsoperations

Construction Construction prevails as the main prevails as the main industryindustry

Sustainable DevelopmentSustainable Development

DefinitionDefinition

Economic development Economic development that is achieved without that is achieved without undermining the incomes, undermining the incomes, resources, or environment for resources, or environment for future generations.future generations.

SustainableSustainable development development

RequiresRequires actionaction to to promote the:promote the: Economy Economy Community involvementCommunity involvement Natural ResourcesNatural Resources Social valuesSocial values SecuritySecurity

Ecological footprintEcological footprint

Used to depict the amount of Used to depict the amount of landland and water area a human and water area a human populationpopulation would hypothetically need to provide would hypothetically need to provide the resources required to support the resources required to support itself and to absorb its wastes, given itself and to absorb its wastes, given prevailing prevailing technologytechnology. .

The term was first coined in 1992 by The term was first coined in 1992 by Canadian ecologist and professor at Canadian ecologist and professor at the the UniversityUniversity ofof BritishBritish ColumbiaColumbia, , William William ReesRees. .

Ecological FootprintEcological Footprint Footprinting is widely used around Footprinting is widely used around

the globe as an indicator of the globe as an indicator of environmental sustainability. It can environmental sustainability. It can be used to measure and manage the be used to measure and manage the use of resources throughout the use of resources throughout the economy. economy.

It is commonly used to explore the It is commonly used to explore the sustainability of sustainability of individual lifestyles, individual lifestyles, goods and services, organizations, goods and services, organizations, industry sectors, regions and nationsindustry sectors, regions and nations..

Why measure our use of Why measure our use of nature? nature?

If we cannot measure, we cannot If we cannot measure, we cannot manage. To make sustainability a manage. To make sustainability a reality, we must know reality, we must know where we are where we are nownow, and , and how far we need to gohow far we need to go. These . These are essential tools for government, are essential tools for government, business management and grassroots business management and grassroots for organizing the use of natural for organizing the use of natural resources. resources.

The ecological footprint concept is used The ecological footprint concept is used to assess the sustainability of nations.to assess the sustainability of nations.

Ecological footprintEcological footprint

We need measuring rods to We need measuring rods to track progress for:track progress for:

Sustainability and people's Sustainability and people's use of nature use of nature

Measures of carrying capacity and Measures of carrying capacity and human impact on the Earthhuman impact on the Earth

PR Ecological FootprintPR Ecological Footprint

Carl Axel Soderberg, EPA Director Carl Axel Soderberg, EPA Director for PR indicated that for PR indicated that PR FP = 2 X PR FP = 2 X CubaCuba

Cuba Cuba (745mi x 124mi) (745mi x 124mi) = 7 X PR= 7 X PR It means that we need an island It means that we need an island

26 times bigger26 times bigger to be to be sustainablesustainable

My footprint quiz My footprint quiz resultsresults

CATEGORY: CATEGORY: ACRES FOOD 3.5; MOBILITY 1; SHELTER 6.4; ACRES FOOD 3.5; MOBILITY 1; SHELTER 6.4;

GOODS/SERVICES 6.7 GOODS/SERVICES 6.7 TOTAL FOOTPRINT18TOTAL FOOTPRINT18

IN COMPARISON, THE AVERAGE ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT IN IN COMPARISON, THE AVERAGE ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT IN YOUR COUNTRY IS YOUR COUNTRY IS 24 ACRES PER PERSON. 24 ACRES PER PERSON.

WORLDWIDE, THERE EXISTS WORLDWIDE, THERE EXISTS 4.5 BIOLOGICALLY PRODUCTIVE 4.5 BIOLOGICALLY PRODUCTIVE ACRES PER PERSON.ACRES PER PERSON.

IF EVERYONE LIVED LIKE YOU, IF EVERYONE LIVED LIKE YOU, WE WOULD WE WOULD NEED NEED 3.9 PLANETS3.9 PLANETS..

Puerto Rico’s ExperiencePuerto Rico’s Experience

Puerto Rico has been a United States Puerto Rico has been a United States territory for more than a century. territory for more than a century.

Considered self-governing, with no Considered self-governing, with no voting representation in the U.S. voting representation in the U.S. Congress. Congress.

This Commonwealth status has given This Commonwealth status has given Puerto Rico many advantages over Puerto Rico many advantages over other low-income economies. other low-income economies.

Puerto Rico’s ExperiencePuerto Rico’s Experience During the 1950s and 1960s, Puerto During the 1950s and 1960s, Puerto

Rico consistently outperformed similarly Rico consistently outperformed similarly populated countries such as populated countries such as South Korea, Taiwan and Singapore. South Korea, Taiwan and Singapore.

All that has changed - the prosperity of All that has changed - the prosperity of the post-World War II decades has the post-World War II decades has ended. ended.

The island economy has become The island economy has become recognized for its destitution and recognized for its destitution and joblessness. joblessness.

Puerto Rico’s ExperiencePuerto Rico’s Experience

Since the 1970s, Puerto Rico's economy Since the 1970s, Puerto Rico's economy has steadily deteriorated, has steadily deteriorated, (poverty levels twice those of Mississippi).(poverty levels twice those of Mississippi).

Unemployment Unemployment (officially reported 12 – 14 %)(officially reported 12 – 14 %) is more likely to be 40 - 50 % because is more likely to be 40 - 50 % because of the island's low labor participation of the island's low labor participation rate. rate.

Only 46 % of the population has a formal Only 46 % of the population has a formal job, and job, and nearly half (1/2) of the island's nearly half (1/2) of the island's salaried employees work directly or salaried employees work directly or indirectly for the governmentindirectly for the government. .

Puerto Rico’s ExperiencePuerto Rico’s Experience

The Commonwealth's The Commonwealth's government expenditures are government expenditures are now over $9.6 billion, leaving now over $9.6 billion, leaving the tiny nation with a steadily-the tiny nation with a steadily-rising deficit of $3 billion. rising deficit of $3 billion.

Puerto Rico's Puerto Rico's paternalistic paternalistic bureaucraticbureaucratic and and political political policiespolicies have turned the island have turned the island into a no-growth, debt-into a no-growth, debt-ridden economy. ridden economy.

Puerto Rico’s ExperiencePuerto Rico’s ExperiencePuerto Rico's drastic economic decline Puerto Rico's drastic economic decline can be blamed on many factors:can be blamed on many factors: the unintended consequences of an the unintended consequences of an

expanding government role in the provision expanding government role in the provision of welfare services. of welfare services.

a sharp rise in the amount of federal a sharp rise in the amount of federal transfer payments to citizens transfer payments to citizens (increased from (increased from $69 million in 1968 to over $8 billion in 2002 for $69 million in 1968 to over $8 billion in 2002 for disability, unemployment, and welfare payments)disability, unemployment, and welfare payments) now account for one-fifth of the island's now account for one-fifth of the island's personal income.personal income.

This massive social spending, which began This massive social spending, which began in the 1970s and continues today, has in the 1970s and continues today, has resulted in severe resulted in severe domestic disinvestmentdomestic disinvestment in the economy. in the economy.

Puerto Rico’s ExperiencePuerto Rico’s Experience

Domestic capital investment has Domestic capital investment has declined from 32 % of Gross Domestic declined from 32 % of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 1970 to 16 % in 2000. Product (GDP) in 1970 to 16 % in 2000.

This means that the Puerto Rican This means that the Puerto Rican government, rather than supporting the government, rather than supporting the creation of jobs and market incentives, creation of jobs and market incentives, relies primarily on relies primarily on tax-induced revenuetax-induced revenue and and foreign investmentforeign investment for any growth in for any growth in the island's GDP. the island's GDP.

Puerto Rico’s ExperiencePuerto Rico’s Experience

Changing the island's economic activity Changing the island's economic activity from production to distribution, the Puerto from production to distribution, the Puerto Rican bureaucracy has Rican bureaucracy has crowded out crowded out community solutions and business community solutions and business incentivesincentives. .

These policies have created: These policies have created: labor distortions, private disinvestment, and labor distortions, private disinvestment, and have left a large segment of the population have left a large segment of the population without the skills or ambition necessary to without the skills or ambition necessary to achieve economic mobility. achieve economic mobility.

Puerto Rico's experiencePuerto Rico's experience

Puerto Rico's rising welfare Puerto Rico's rising welfare expenditures have created expenditures have created unsustainable economic trendsunsustainable economic trends, , and have brought devastating and have brought devastating consequences to the consequences to the island's entire population. island's entire population.

Results of our experienceResults of our experience

Puerto Rico to continue its Puerto Rico to continue its present urban sprawl in present urban sprawl in 60 years, half of the 60 years, half of the Island will be urban and in Island will be urban and in 75 years, all the Island 75 years, all the Island will be urbanized.will be urbanized. (Based on a study by the (Based on a study by the

Metropolitan University, Metropolitan University, San Juan)San Juan)

Results of our experienceResults of our experience

This dramatic transformation has This dramatic transformation has resulted in:resulted in: Climate changesClimate changes PollutionPollution Health related problemsHealth related problems Diminished tourismDiminished tourism Lost of social and Lost of social and

cultural legacy cultural legacy Economic declineEconomic decline

Puerto Rico experiencePuerto Rico experience Community – Environmental Community – Environmental

concernsconcerns•Water quality problems•Reservoirs reduced storage capacity•High unemployment rate•Poor infrastructure (maintenance)•High demand for land use•Lack of environmental understanding•Need for collaborative work•Loss of family values•Waste management problemsWaste management problems

Puerto Rico’s ExperiencePuerto Rico’s Experience

Soil erosion

Water pollution

Endanger coral reef

Puerto Rico’s ExperiencePuerto Rico’s Experience

ConclusionConclusion

As Puerto Rico has shown, when As Puerto Rico has shown, when public solutions (public solutions (governmentgovernment) ) replace market forces, the loss of replace market forces, the loss of privately-produced goods and privately-produced goods and services can lead to economic services can lead to economic stagnation and decline stagnation and decline

Lets talk about…Lets talk about…

What relevance does What relevance does this situation have to this situation have to the state of the state of Pennsylvania or your Pennsylvania or your home district?home district?

What can be done to What can be done to make it sustainable?make it sustainable?

RecommendationsRecommendations Community land use is Community land use is

fundamental to sustainability fundamental to sustainability plan the physical layout,plan the physical layout,

Change from poorly-managed sprawl Change from poorly-managed sprawl to land use planning to maintain to land use planning to maintain efficient infrastructureefficient infrastructure Restoration and rehab of urban centers/ Restoration and rehab of urban centers/

vertical constructionvertical construction Less vehicle dependencyLess vehicle dependency Create public space/land preservationCreate public space/land preservation Educate citizens and elected officialsEducate citizens and elected officials

"We do not inherit "We do not inherit the earth from our the earth from our ancestors, ancestors, we borrow it from we borrow it from our children"our children"

ReferencesReferences

The Ecological Footprint of NationsThe Ecological Footprint of Nations by Mathis by Mathis WackernagelWackernagel

Smart Communities Network Smart Communities Network http://sustainable.doe.gov/landuse/luintro.shtmlhttp://sustainable.doe.gov/landuse/luintro.shtml

The Smarter Land Use Project The Smarter Land Use Project http://landuse.org/guidebook.htmlhttp://landuse.org/guidebook.html

To calculate your footprint To calculate your footprint http://www.mec.ca/Apps/ecoCalc/ecoCalcHousing.jhttp://www.mec.ca/Apps/ecoCalc/ecoCalcHousing.jspsp

USDA-NRCS Area-wide Conservation Planning USDA-NRCS Area-wide Conservation Planning Course, National Employee Development Center. Course, National Employee Development Center.

Smart GrowthSmart Growth, Lorri Jones, Lifescapes Texas A&M, , Lorri Jones, Lifescapes Texas A&M, Vol.4, No. 2, Summer 2004, P. 6-8.Vol.4, No. 2, Summer 2004, P. 6-8.

Virtual visit -Virtual visit -

www.geog.nau.edu/courses/alew/ggr346/ft/overseas/?eprwww.geog.nau.edu/courses/alew/ggr346/ft/overseas/?epr