Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico, and the Caribbean island will be struggling to rebuild for years. But what does rebuilding look like and how can renewable energy be a part of those efforts? Jorge Haddock, president of the University of Puerto Rico, will address this question in his lecture “What IF the world ran on 100 percent renewable energy?” Haddock, a Purdue graduate and business leadership authority, is in the unique position of leading one of the island’s cornerstone socioeconomic institutions during post-hurricane recovery. He will discuss the global future of renewable energy and how Puerto Rico is approaching the idea. Topics will include the risks and rewards of switching to 100 percent renewable energy in an environmentally turbulent area, Puerto Rico’s short- and long-term plans for renewable energy use, and the island’s ongoing renewable energy research and its participation in international sustainability initiatives.
February 7, 2019