I sat down today to write a bit in this blog as I haven't paid much attention to it lately. When I did I found that I didn't publish/post the last one that I wrote from February. Smh. Keeping things in order... here's the blog post from Feb.
So keeping up with this blog has proven to be harder than I thought. Looks like I am going to have to make more of an effort to write. Last post done in October 2023. Whoa, that is pretty bad. The delay was caused by my fascination in the growing support for the protests against the copper mine in Panama. I wouldn't have said that Panamanians are very "green". I was surprised that these protests lasted from October to the beginning of December. Then came the holidays and boom here we are in a new year. Ok 2024 here I come!
Admittedly, I didn't know much about the mine prior to the contract coming up for renewal. Then all the chaos following the renewal got my attention. I spent hours reading and watching videos from folks involved in the mine as well as folks from other countries whose lives have been affected by mining in some way. It was very easy for me to see that we don't need it here.
I was ready to head out and join the protests however, I also grew up watching the news of protests gone bad in other countries, and then lived it here in Panama. There was a part of me that was a bit wary of what could happen here if things do go wrong. Yet I felt that I needed to be out there. That I needed to show my support for protecting the environment. As the Lorax says: "Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing will get better. It's not."
I have traveled to some really beautiful countries and I hope to continue to do so. In saying that Panama is beautiful! The more that I explore here the happier I am to be here. Especially when I roll up to the hidden gems.
The videos and pictures of the destruction done by the mine are heartbreaking and frightening. The complete disregard for the environment and those that live in it, off of it or near it is sickening. Large corporations from other countries praying on the lax environmental regulations in developing countries is not something new. It is not something that most folks pay attention to. Unless, of course, it is in your backyard. Now that I know more about copper mines, I feel that I have a bit of responsibility to share that knowledge.
This is the largest open pit mine in Central America. The dangers of this mine, and many others, stem from our current way of living. What I found in my reading and research on the subject of copper mining is that our need/want to rid ourselves of oil dependency is what is the driving force for copper mining.
The energy industry which includes renewable energy such as; solar, hydro, thermal and wind energy have high stakes in mining. It's used in electric vehicles, photovoltaic solar panels, and much of our electronics, Although copper is recyclable the growing demand for it is causing the search for new reserves. Therefore, we are trading one natural resource for others. There's better ways out there.
I hope it becomes something of the past, not just here in other countries as well. If change has to begin here then so be it. Panama gold is green. Panama is not for sale! Panama is worth more without mining. The wealth of Panama is in its nature.
I was completely on the renewable energy bandwagon concerning solar panels and electric cars however, this has made me rethink those initial beliefs. As well as realizing that I need to do better research when forming my position on things.
If you made it this far... thank you!! Till next time. Peace.
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