Ecuador’s Environmental Policies With a large amount of endemic and rare species, Ecuador’s environment is crucial to protect. For example “ten percent of the world's vascular plant species are Located in Ecuador - in an area that covers just 0.2 percent of the Earth's surface”. Ecuador has established protected areas of land and national parks to encourage conservation. Ecuador’s focus on the environment is considered unique when one examines the country’s constitution that includes support for environmental protection and conservation. The document “Basic Environmental Principals” was established in Ecuador by executive decree and it holds the public accountable for the preservation of the environment. In addition to these unique protections, Ecuador has a number of environmental policies to support conservation efforts. These policies are managed by the Ministry of Environment. Ecuador’s Law of Environmental Management, established by the Ministry of Environment, focuses on managing environmental resources, responsibilities, waste management, etc. Overall, Ecuador has numerous policies in place to support conservation techniques and protecting the environment. Whether these policies will be enough is being put to the test as resources become increasingly strained and climate change encroaches.
Quito Bus System For many years Quito’s public transportation, specifically the bus system was inefficient and outdated. Buses were past their prime and this combined with poor traffic planning led to noise and air pollution. However, Quito’s bus system radically changed starting with a change in Ecuadorian law which made municipalities responsible for their own transportation sector. This law led to the development of Quito’s Transport Planning Department. A short time after this department was formed, the Trolebus system was adopted in Quito. This system includes the development of busways and the use of electric-based trolly busses. Busways have significantly improved the efficiency of the bus transport system since it eliminates traffic. Trolly buses have helped reduce the environmental impact since they rely on electric and can transport more people than a traditional bus. The Ecovia busway system was then established after the Trolebus. Compared to the old system, Quito’s new bus system is a vast improvement. There is still room for this system to improve and critiques of the system have noted that it was developed over a very short period of time.
Living in a region vulnerable to natural disaster Living in a region vulnerable to natural disasters is risky, especially when the infrastructure of a community is not strong. Poorer communities are more vulnerable due to a lack of resources. Ecuador is vulnerable to natural disasters such as the El Nino phenomenon and volcanic eruptions. El Nino events result in heavy rains which can lead to flooding and landslides. Public roads and buildings can be destroyed by these events. El Nino effects can hurt the agriculture industry by making it hard to distribute products or maintain crops. Volcanic eruptions can also potentially close off major roads preventing goods from being distributed or cover crops in ash. Volcanic eruptions can cause significant health issues, some children near active volcanoes like Cotopaxi are developing volcanic ash allergies. To deal with these disasters people can evacuate to other regions or areas that are protected and designated “safe zones”. Early warning sirens are continuing to be installed in regions of Ecuador nearby active volcanoes. Living in a region vulnerable to natural disasters is a great risk and even with safety plans in place, communities and economies will be negatively affected.
Volcanoes Parts of the Andes mountain range run through the country of Ecuador. This mountain range is icy and cold due to its high elevation but it is also home to a number of volcanoes. Chimborazo, a part of the Andes mountain range, is the highest mountain/volcano in Ecuador. Ecuador is home to many volcanoes due to its location and tectonic plate activity. These volcanoes act as a habitat for a range of creatures. The snow caps at their peaks act as a water source for the area. As it melts, the snow falls down the mountains in the form of waterfalls. This water source is crucial to the thriving plant life in the Andes. The mountain Cotapaxi is known for its snowy terrain and its beautiful views.
Cloud Forests Cloud forests have an abundance of bio-diverse life due to their high moisture content. These forests often house many endemic species. The high rate of biodiversity and the number of endemic species are why there is a focus on conservation efforts for these forests. Interestingly, even though they are bio-diverse regions the clouds that surround these forests block out sunlight often stunting the growth of plants like trees. Only one percent of forests in the world are classified as a could forest. Cloud forests are integral in collecting water from the clouds and improving water quality. The water collection abilities of these forests are essential for supporting the ecosystem of other regions nearby.
Ecotourism and infrastructure development in regions with cloud forests are a great cause for concern. Habitat fragmentation and diminishing habitat quality are great threats to cloud forests. These forests are at risk of diminishing in quality due to the threat of climate change, invasive species, ecotourism, and human destruction. However, there are protected regions such as national parks and nature reserves to combat habitat distraction. It is the hope that natural regeneration will occur if some species endemic to these forests are saved.
Latin Pulse - Water Crisis Latin America is home to the largest supply of freshwater in the world, however, many citizens are concerned about the limited availability of this water supply. Glaciers are one source of this freshwater supply but they are rapidly melting. Additionally, pollution is leading to the degradation of the quality of the freshwater that is available. One statistic mentioned in this video is that “77,000 children die in Latin America and the Caribbean due to diarrhea and other water-related illnesses”. This statistic is shocking but the connection between rising environmental issues and decreased water quality is clear. Increased ecotourism also causes a strain on resources which leads to increased pollution around environmentally significant regions.
Besides issues with water quality which reduces water accessibility, there is concern about the privatization of water. Ecuador’s President of the Citizens Committee for Public Services has expressed how the lives of the poor are at severe risk with water services being privatized. Restricting access to water is considered by many to be a violation of human rights. However, representatives from the World Bank argue that the privatization process can be beneficial to citizens. A documentary producer of “One Water” supports the privatization arguing that the privatized companies more efficiently and evenly distribute the water compared to the public/government.
Note: Gupta, Priyanka. “Life under an Active Volcano in Ecuador.” Ecuador | Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera, 12 Mar. 2016, www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2015/11/life-active-volcano-ecuador-151118101849350.html.
Vos, Rob & Velasco, Margarita & Labastida, Edgar. (1999). Economic and Social Effects of El Niño in Ecuador, 1997-1998 Inter-American Development Bank Sustainable Development Department Technical Papers Series. Inter-American Development Bank Sustainable Development Department Technical Papers.