Environment and Climate Change in Panama
Home to vast tropical rainforests, an immense variety of animal and plant species and the seaway that connects the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Pacific Ocean, Panama relies heavily on all these resources for its economy. However, environmental challenges threaten the sustainability of these assets and therefore create a significant problem for the country. This paper will examine the effect of weather and climate change on Panama coupled with a specific focus on the Panama Canal. It concentrates largely on the effects of deforestation, coupled with the effect of El-Nino, and examines how this has had significant economic and social consequences.
Panama has a tropical maritime climate, which provides the country with a long, rainy season between May and January and a short, dry season between January and May. Average temperatures are usually high and humidity levels almost never drop below 80%. The country’s carbon emissions are not significant to account for a percentage of the world emissions and they have relatively stayed the same during the period 1995-2000.[i] Forest area stood at 38.6% on 2002, with nationally protected areas at 21.7% of total area.[ii]
In general, data has shown an increase in highly “unusual extreme weather events” since 1992 in the Latin America region and has predicted that these phenomena will become more frequent. These unusual events, coupled with local social and demographic factors, have created emergency conditions in Panama.
One of the most significant challenges to Panama’s environment today is deforestation. Forest area has decreased from 45.6% in 1995 to 38.6% ...
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United Nations Environment Programme. “Climate Change Hits Hard on Latin America and the Caribbean.” Press Release. 2007.
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University Corporation of Atmospheric Research. Reducing the Impact of Environmental Emergencies Through Early Warning and Preparedness. “Panama Canal Case Study: Impacts and Responses to the 1997-98 El Nino Event.”
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In the binational area of El Paso, Texas and Ciudad Juarez flooding has become a way of life due to the scarcity of rain and desert climate. Fortunately, meteorologist, geologist and city planners are continuously working to improve city prior to a storm in order to mitigate any financial hardships during and after a flood. The city has to take in account past events in order to improve infrastructure. They also rely on meteorologist to study how the weather is reacting so they can anticipate the next system and how it will hit this region. The primary expert that contributes to this vital research are the Geologist, who have brought to light the cause and effects during drastic climate events. In this report, it will document infrastructure affects, stormwater management, Climate Whiplash and thoughts from the geologist on the desert-flood relationship.
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The clock is ticking! Global Co2 emissions have increased exponentially since the industrialization of today’s developed world. Emissions have now passed the absorptive capacity of the earth and are accumulating in the earth’s atmosphere, warming the surface of the earth and inducing localized climatic changes. Climate change is often a localized issue. Many regions of the world will continue to become hotter, while others may experience highly variable weather patterns. Climate change poses a serious threat to ecosystems, economic sectors, and human welfare. Although almost entirely caused by the developed world, climate change will disproportionally affect the world’s poor.
Haiti is a small developing country around the equator. It shares an island with the Dominican Republic. Due to the fact Haiti is situated near the equator, the country experiences a rather warm and humid climate. The average temperature for the country varies based on the time and location where the recording is taking place. Near the beginning of the year, the temperature will average 25 degrees Celsius, but in the summer, the average temperature rises to about 30 degrees Celsius (Encyclopedia Britannica, 2016). In addition, the location is critical as the temperature can differ greatly because of the altitude. At Port-au-Prince, which is at sea level, the temperature averages 26 degrees Celsius. However, higher up in the mountains, the temperature can average about 16 degrees Celsius (Encyclopedia Britannica, 2016).
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