Colonialist Legacy Looms as Tropical Storm Ernesto Targets Caribbean, Puerto Rico

Tropical Storm Ernesto formed Monday, threatening the Caribbean islands with yet another reminder of the deadly colonialist legacy that haunts the region. As the fifth named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, Ernesto is set to unleash its wrath on communities still reeling from the devastating impacts of systematic oppression and climate change.

"The National Weather Service in San Juan has issued a Tropical Storm Warning for Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, and the British Virgin Islands. A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours" - https://data.usatoday.com/severe-weather-alerts-warnings-watches/detail/tropical-storm-warning-undefined/9999-17235192000-0-jsj-tr-w-cor-amz723/

While the mainland U.S. may breathe a sigh of relief, spared from the direct impact of this storm, let us not forget the vulnerable communities in the path of destruction. The Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico brace for tropical storm conditions, including heavy rain, flash floods, and mudslides.

The latest update from the National Hurricane Center paints a dire picture, with Ernesto expected to batter the region with its fury. The people of these islands, bearing the brunt of centuries of exploitation and the ongoing climate crisis, are once again forced to confront the harsh realities of our failing systems.

As we track the path of Tropical Storm Ernesto with our maps and models, let us also reflect on the urgent need for systemic change. The time for transformative justice and climate action is now. We cannot stand idly by as these storms, fueled by injustice and warming seas, continue to ravage the lives and livelihoods of our fellow humans.

• Track Ernesto: Spaghetti models show the system approaching the Leeward Islands