When Eduardo Lugo hears the sound of trucks passing by his home in southwestern Puerto Rico, he can’t help but wonder if it’s the precursor to another devastating earthquake. As an associate professor of psychology at the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Lugo is all too familiar with the traumatic triggers that have become a legacy of the years of hurricanes and earthquakes the island has endured.
Add to that the power outages, which result in a domino effect, causing loss of access to water and spoiling of food, and it’s clear that the island’s mental health is being deeply affected. The aftermath of these disasters has highlighted existing fissures of inequality, and has also brought to light the inefficiencies of the government in addressing these situations.
For example, Hurricane Maria in 2017 worsened child poverty and exposed the inadequacies of the island’s infrastructure and its response to natural disasters. After the privatization of the power grid following Hurricane Maria, citizens have been dissatisfied with the reliability and cost of electricity. The lack of affordability is a major hurdle for many households looking to install solar panels—although recent funding promises from the Department of Energy could alleviate this.
The impact of these natural disasters has not been evenly distributed; communities with pre-existing vulnerabilities, such as pollution and isolation, have experienced longer recovery times. But amidst the challenges, there is a growing community-driven effort to bring about change, with schools and community centers installing solar panels to provide essential services during disasters.
In order to address the complex issues of energy inequity, access, and sustainability, researchers and residents are advocating for community-focused policies, guided by the voices of those who have lived through the hardships. Transitioning to renewable energy and addressing the mental health impacts of such changes will require community feedback and a comprehensive approach to climate justice.
Northeastern University’s School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs offers master’s degrees that prepare students for careers in policy addressing environmental and social justice in communities. Through a commitment to real-world impact and interdisciplinary research, these programs equip future leaders with the tools to tackle the world’s most challenging climate, environmental, and sustainability issues.
