In his book titled Tropic of Chaos: Climate Change and the New Geography of Violence, Christian Parenti outlines how Climate Change will affect myriad countries, but Parenti’s description of the desolation of Mexico (especially the Sierra Madre) due to draught (Parenti 187) caught my attention as a particularly insidious and bleak example of how climate change can ruin lives. Parenti adds that “Increasingly, climate change will be the central dynamic in migration [in Mexico]” (Parenti 187). The previous quote requires readers to face the reality that climate change is dangerous, climate change is becoming more threatening, and climate change is causing people to uproot their families from their homes. The empirical evidence of how dire the climate catastrophe is in Mexico is outlined in reports by the World Watch Institute which Parenti highlighted in his piece; “‘Desertification affecting [Mexican] drylands is leading some 600,000 to 700,000 people to migrate annually.’” (Parenti 187). The previous statistic is lamentable, yet Parenti explains that an increasingly pernicious “El Niño” is causing the droughts to be even more dire (Parenti 187). Many people in Mexico are experiencing manifestly more difficult lives because of climate change: agricultural cultivation is becoming more difficult and it is making the ownership of land nearly meaningless if they don’t have copious amounts of water (Parenti 187). Parenti’s description of how drought was affecting Mexico in the years leading up to 2011 (when Tropic of Chaos: Climate Change and the New Geography of Violence was first published) was adept, and the foreboding presence of climate change has only become more ominous in the past decade.
The situation had undoubtedly become more dire by April 15, 2021 when “[n]early 85 percent of the country is facing drought conditions…” ("Widespread Drought in Mexico"). The previous statistic is so jarring and overwhelming that I cannot acquiesce in the situation or be okay with what is happening in Mexico and I’m sure many other people feel the same way. Because of climate change, large water reservoirs “mostly in northern and central Mexico” were well below their full capacity ("Widespread Drought in Mexico"). Perhaps more importantly, “...government managers have reduced water flow from the reservoirs” and that has caused some people to lose access to running water altogether ("Widespread Drought in Mexico). Reuters published an article on 2 July 2021 that expressed how the proliferation of drought had increased in intensity and dispersion in Mexico: “About a fifth of the country is experiencing extreme drought compared to less than 5% each year since 2012” (Garrison Para. 10). It is also deeply concerning that Mexico City may become even more beleaguered by drought in the future: “Experts fear the problem will reach more of the 22 million inhabitants of Mexico City’s metro area…” (Garrison Para. 11). Many people strive to be more cosmopolitan like myself, but it really pains me when a country that borders the U.S. is in a crucible; I hope something will be done to quell Mexico’s struggles.
References:
Garrison, Cassandra. “Mexico water supply buckles on worsening drought, putting crops at risk.” Reuters, https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/mexico-water-supply-buckles-worsening-drought-putting-crops-risk-2021-07-02/. Accessed 3 October 2021.
Independent, https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/megadrought-us-mexico-climate-change-global-warming-study-a9470516.html. Image accessed 3 October 2021.
Parenti, Christian. Tropic of Chaos: Climate Change and the New Geography. Ebook, Bold Type Books, 2011.
“Widespread Drought in Mexico.” https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/148270/widespread-drought-in-mexico. Accessed 3 October 2021.
“Widespread Drought in Mexico.” https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/148270/widespread-drought-in-mexico. Image accessed on 3 October 2021.
That is an excellent and well written article Nick. It's a certain shock to me that Mexico is dealing with such bad droughts. The biggest surprise to me that Parenti talked about nearly 600,000 to 700,000 people migrate annually. That is such a bizarre statement to hear. Furthermore, hearing that Mexico faces 85% of its land in drought conditions is very frightening. Also, why would the government mangers restrict access of water to the people? That seems like a very terrible idea. What is the reasoning behind that? In conclusion it's disappointing and saddening to see that the situations hasn't improved in Mexico. I too wish more was done to help Mexico in this global crisis.
ReplyDeleteI wonder what could be done to remediate land after this damage has occurred. I wonder if the land will eventually return to a useable land so these families can have the option of returning home?
ReplyDeleteYour research about the topic is definitely impressive! I was truly shocked that 85% of the country is facing drought - that is insane how bad the situation is in Mexico
ReplyDeleteThe fact that this drought is only going to get worse is crazy. And I would've never guessed 85% of the country is facing this.
ReplyDeleteSolid analysis! It makes me question the true purpose of boarders today and how they should be reimagined. The crisis is that there are refugees and their continued suffering endured. As more people become refugees, more people will be at the boarder looking for a safety and sustenance. Send meaningful aid, execute adaptation and mitigation strategies, and welcome refugees with open arms.
ReplyDeleteThe predicted future migratory numbers are astounding. Even smaller numbers of migrants are not welcomed in new countries now, so how will this large number be handled in the future? It really made me think how countries like the US have made climate change so much worse, causing these other countries to be in drought and need to flee, only to take no responsibility. Unfortunately the countries that are the ones changing the climate will not suffer like Mexico does until it is too late.
ReplyDeleteThe part of your blog where you talk about the number of people that move out from Mexico annually is astounding to me. These countries cannot seem to get control of their own populations leading to mass migrations and large influxes of people at the U.S. border
ReplyDeleteWith how many people migrate each year its no surprise to see cities are growing and will probably lead to localized resource increased usage primarily of water. The whole world will need to find ways to continually produce enough water efficiently for growing cities.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea prior to reading this articles the levels of drought Mexico is currently facing. It just proves the point again that the climate crisis is going to start affecting us all more until we start working to solve it.
ReplyDeleteThe most shocking statistic I read from your blogpost was that 85% of the country is facing drought-like conditions. No wonder there are so many people seeking refuge to the US, especially since our country is the cause of such a large percentage of carbon emissions. Surely we have a responsibility to help those in which our actions harm.
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