The excitement raised by the launch of the Panama Canal’s expansion and the astonishment of some 40 thousand individuals that were moved as they watched a gigantic Cosco Shipping Panama sail by are still palpable. However, as the celebrations die down, we must focus on the challenges Panama faces in the wake of this new era. Without question, one of its main challenges is water resource management.
Fernando was excited about a large amount of money he had just received. The money came from a public energy agency as compensation for the loss of his house and the source of his livelihood. He used to live and work by a nearby river, panning for gold on the riverbanks, until he was informed that he needed to vacate the area.
Water is a shared resource; the quality and quantity of water available to each stakeholder depends on how others use it. Water is essential for life and much more - rivers, lakes, floodplains and coastal areas provide flood protection, energy, navigation routes, recreational sites, building materials and food.A shared and essential resource should be used carefully, but because it is free and seemingly infinite, there is little incentive for this. The increasing demand for both ground and surface water, fueled by population & economic growth, is leading to overexploitation.
You have probably heard of the phrase “Help Me, Help You,” made famous by Tom Cruise in the movie Jerry Maguire. He utters it in a desperate attempt to persuade his last remaining client, Arizona Cardinals linebacker Rod Tidwell, to start engaging in independent activities—those outside the control of his managing agent.
The Guyana Shield geological formation, one of the world´s most biodiverse regions, encompasses parts of Venezuela and Brazil, as well as French Guyana. All of the territory of Guyana and Suriname sits atop it. Like many other parts of Latin America and the Caribbean, the effects of climate change are requiring us to plan and act now to mitigate the most imminent threats.Taken in combination, the following facts should compel us to develop sustainable long-term plans:Every day, agricultural products wind up on tables and counters in Brazilian kitchens and living rooms. There are fruits, vegetables and grains --of various colors and flavors. These foods come from countless farms scattered throughout Brazil. Family farms are the primary source of food that reaches the tables of Brazilian families, accounting for approximately 70 percent of food consumed in the country in 2015. Family farmers are important actors in the productive chain for the main foods in the Brazilian market: cassava, beans, pork, milk, chicken and corn.
Did you know that more than 800 million women and girls between the age of 15 and 49 are menstruating right now? Some of them are your co-workers, friends, partners and supervisors. For some, the topic can be an uncomfortable one, but it is also a central issue for women’s health and opportunity.To those in the developed world, menstruation can be a minor nuisance, accompanied occasionally by cramps, backaches and frequent visits to the bathroom, something that can be managed safely, hygienically and easily.
