In dialogue with Prensa Latina, the UNESCO expert commented on the results that led to this conclusion of a study that included ten biosphere reserves and five global geoparks in nine countries in Latin America and the Caribbean (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Saint Kitts and Nevis and Uruguay).
This is the first global study to collect quantitative data on the impacts of climate change in the locations registered by the organization, as so far we only have local perceptions and assessments, said one of the authors at the presentation of the report on Tuesday.
The research found impacts beyond those expected by managers of these sites, ranging from rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns, with consequences ranging from droughts and floods in coastal and inland areas to wildfires and landslides.
According to Heckler, the study will become a base sample for designing a methodology that can be applied in other places and takes into account quantitative indicators and elements such as historical trends, the current situation and, above all, forecasts for the future.
“When selecting global geoparks and biosphere reserves, for reasons of representativeness and the search for a regional vision, we take into account various aspects, including geographical, geological and biological diversity, as well as the presence of urban and rural populations,” he added.
The Coordinator of the Man and Biosphere Program for Latin America and the Caribbean stressed the urgency of limiting greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere and going much further, as research shows that there is damage that cannot be avoided, what is possible can only be dimmed. That is why we must minimize the impacts of climate change, focus on evidence-based adaptation and act at the local level, both at UNESCO sites and around the world, he told Prensa Latina.
Regarding UNESCO sites, he returned to the idea that they could act as observatories, based on the existence of multi-sectoral management committees capable of assessing the impact on tourism, agriculture, biodiversity and human life, especially the most vulnerable people to evaluate.
The study analyzed the impacts of climate change in the Comarca Minera and Mixteca Alta geoparks in Mexico, as well as in Araripe (Brazil), Grutas del Palacio (Uruguay) and Kutralkura (Chile).
The biosphere reserves defined as “sustainable development learning sites” include Calakmul (Mexico), Maya (Guatemala), Río Plátano and Cacique Lempira Señor de las Montañas in Honduras and St. Mary's (San Christopher and Nevis).
In the south of the American continent, the Chocó-Andino reserves of Pichincha (Ecuador), Mata Atlántica and the Green Belt of Sao Paulo in Brazil, Bañados del Este (Uruguay) and Andino Norpatagónica (Argentina) were studied.
Having confirmed the threats of climate change and the need for action, we are considering a second phase that will allow us to build chains of impact, with the vision of expanding the study to other Latin American and Caribbean locations and the planet, said Heckler .
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