In this episode of The WPI Podcast, we explore how communities can better prepare for hurricanes and their long-term effects. Sarah Molinari, assistant teaching professor in the Department of Integrative and Global Studies, discusses lessons learned from damaging storms in modern Caribbean history.

The conversation highlights examples of grassroots preparedness and response strategies, the challenges of scaling community-led solutions, and the importance of centering relationships, collaboration, and community voices in research and planning related to  storm resilience.

As one of several Worcester Polytechnic Institute faculty members in the Caribbean Collaborative Action Network, Molinari conducts research on climate adaptation and collaborates with communities in the region. She discusses this work and her role at the university’s Puerto Rico Project Center advising student projects, which have included the co-creation of a disaster response management tool.

Related links:

“Building Equitable Climate Adaptation Partnerships in the US Caribbean”

Caribbean Collaborative Action Network

Department of Integrative and Global Studies

The Global School

San Juan, Puerto Rico, Project Center

Interactive Qualifying Project

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Regional Integrated Sciences andAssessments Program