Sostenibilidad

While much of Latin American is at peace, parts of Central and South America have had to cope with internal conflicts, including in the second half of the last century. Countries such as Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala, Colombia, and Peru, have experienced civil wars and other internal conflicts that had severe impacts on the local populations. Evidence shows that vulnerable and marginalized communities were particularly affected in areas where the conflicts were harsher, and to this day are still suffering from the consequences.

For the 8 million people of Bogota who carry out their daily activities in an industrialized city with one of world’s worst traffic congestion, combating air pollution caused in large part by emissions from their means of transport is a necessity.

Mexico is a leading country in the consolidation of the climate change agenda in Latin America and the Caribbean. It is the only country in the world that has five approved national communications and a sixth presented and under review, a general law on climate change since 2012, and is executing two special climate change programs since 2010. Mexico has it all, but despite this, the impacts of the environmental phenomenon continue to haunt it. The world is transforming.

The proposed location of a hydroelectric and water supply project for Tunari National Park, in the city of Cochabamba in Bolivia, had the potential to damage nearby wetlands and destroy a remnant of Polylepis forest, the highest elevation forest in the world, that is threatened throughout the Andes. The area is also home to the endangered Cochabamba mountain finch (Poospiza garleppi).

When looking at the long list of challenges countries in the region face in relation to economic development, one could think that for a nation like Paraguay energy access is not at the top of the list. After all, when it comes to electricity, Paraguay has an ace up its sleeve: the Itaipu Hydroelectric Dam.

Why do some communities fare better during and after climate shocks than others? We know that early warning systems and disaster preparedness decrease the losses of natural disasters, but what other social and economic factors could improve the outcomes? Climate change is already happening. Extreme weather events causing floods, droughts, cyclonic winds, and heatwaves occur more frequently and more violently than in the past.

March 3rd was World Wildlife Day, in honor of the signing of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora or “CITES”. World Wildlife Day celebrates and raises awareness of the world’s wild animals and plants. The theme for 2018 is “Big cats: predators under threat”. Big cats are a part of the biodiversity and culture of Latin America.

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)’s Environmental Safeguards Compliance Policy requires consultations with the beneficiaries/affected communities as part of the environmental assessment in Bank-funded operations. At the same time, environmental legislation in Bolivia recognizes the importance of citizen participation in specific decision-making processes related to projects, works or activities, as long as they are channeled through the Territorial Grassroots Organizations (OTBs, after their Spanish initials).

On February 20 we celebrated World Day of Social Justice, an international day currently observed by the United Nations that reflects on guaranteeing fair outcomes for all through employment, social protection, social dialogue, and fundamental principles and rights at work.