—Researched and written by Aldo Andrade— The Sexta Plenaria de la Plataforma Intergubernamental en Biodiversidad y Servicios Ecosistémicos (Ipbes), which is a conference that brings about scientists from around the world to discuss topics related to biodiversity and its condition worldwide, is being held in the Americas for the first time, and more specifically in

Dust swells in 3-meter-high waves in the San Carlos Lempa community. Sugarcane growers utilize a natural drain to the Lempa River to irrigate the crop, causing the water to become stagnant. Leftover stubble after the harvest is burned, sending smoke through local neighborhoods. The water well is contaminated with pesticides.

Climate change is already modifying the hydrological systems, implying a future impact on the way in which economic activities are developed.

The threat of climate change looms heavy over Colombia’s 2,860 kilometers of coral reef. 

The latest eruption of the Agung volcano on the Indonesian island of Bali has displaced some one hundred thousand people.

In an attempt to combat illegal deforestation in the Amazon Rainforest, the Ministério Público Federal (Federal Public Ministry) of Brazil reviewed 757 civil public action lawsuits against deforesters, accompanied by a request for R$ 1.5 billion in indemnities, as well as the reforestation of  95,700 hectares of forest.

The Arhuaco community began marching in order to repeal over 300 mining contracts and projects that they believe encroach onto their territorial lands.

The average loss of wooded forest area in Mexico has increased from 190,400 hectares lost in a span of ten years to 91,600 hectares lost in a span of five.

Uruguayan officials grow weary of the world’s leading paper producing company UPM’s expansion within the country as environmental concerns grow.

Climate change has doubled the number of natural heritage sites threatened by extinction, according to the Unión Internacional para la Conservación de la Naturaleza (International Union for the Conservation of Nature, IUCN), which called for “urgent” measures on Monday.