It has been reported that Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Maria, and Nate have been the strongest ever recorded in the Atlantic and the Caribbean. With a price tag already passing over $475 billion between just Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, it is more probable than not that the economic damage will continue to rise in the months ahead. Moreover, as the impact of climate change is accelerating, marine environments and biodiversity are becoming increasingly vulnerable. These hurricanes have brought in unprecedented levels of rainfall, and many scientists at National Geographic agree that the “record-breaking rain was almost certainly shaped by rising temperatures from human activity.”
It has been predicted that future storm surges could worsen partly due to sea level rise and partly due to the impending increase in the number of intense hurricanes. Our panel of experts will discuss the environmental impact of these hurricanes on climate change, and the economic challenges the affected areas will face in the coming months. The group will also discuss the growing movement for environmental justice in favor of legislative reform of water regulations, and the economic implications of such restructuring.