Latin America and the Caribbean

Written by: Emily Kelly and Paula Cristina Sierra-Correa Mangrove ecosystems bridge the line between land and sea. They are precious biodiversity hotspots, home to hundreds of threatened and endangered species. They also protect more than 15 million people globally and reduce property damage by $65 billion. Yet, since 1996,...

Written by: Johan Oldekop, Bowy den Braber, and Marina Schmoeller Although deforestation rates in the Brazilian Amazon have halved, it is still losing more than 5,000km² every year. That’s an area three times larger than Greater London. By combining satellite imagery for the entire Amazon region with...

Written by: Diego Vincenzi Costa Rica is known worldwide for its commitment to conservation and responsible use of natural resources. Among its history of effective conservation measures are its efforts in the 90s to halt and reverse deforestation. We have a robust protected areas system,...

Written by: Achim Steiner and Tatiana Rosito Human life on Earth is currently at odds with the survival of the planet itself. Human activity – from conflict to commerce and construction to farming and fossil fuel use – is depleting the very natural resources upon...

Written by: Kimberly White  Colombia has joined the call for a global phase-out of fossil fuels.  During climate negotiations in Dubai, Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced that the oil-dependent nation had joined an alliance of nations advocating for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty to avoid the...

Written by: Kimberly White The Amazonian Siekopai Nation has been granted ownership of their ancestral homeland in a landmark decision by an Ecuadorian appeals court.  After a lengthy legal battle with the Ecuadorian government, an Ecuadorian appeals court has ruled in favor of the Siekopai Nation,...

Written by: Kimberly White Millions of Ecuadorians have voted in a landmark referendum to halt oil exploration and development in the Yasuni National Park in the Amazon rainforest, one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth. Held during the first round of the nation’s presidential elections,...

Written by: Karla Mendes Brazilian authorities announced the seizure of almost 29 tons of shark fins in June, exposing the extent of what they described as illegal fishing in the country. It was apparently the world’s largest confiscation in history: The largest previous seizure reportedly...

Written by: Kimberly White The Amazonian Siekopai Nation are fighting to reclaim their ancestral lands in an ongoing legal battle with the Ecuadorian government.  Throughout the years, the Ecuadorian government has failed to recognize the Siekopai's rights to their ancestral home and deliver a land title,...

Written by: Stephen Hall Uruguay is the smallest Spanish-speaking country in South America, known for its impressive coastline, high standard of living, low poverty rates and a football team that tends to punch above its weight. It’s also one of the most sustainable countries in...