Adapting to the Anthropocene in El Salvador

Student

Jorge Daura

College(s)

College of Science

Faculty Advisor

Mark Olsen

Class Year

2018

The world is more frequently aiming for sustainability initiatives; many countries act as pioneers of the solution. My project studied the history, the current situation, and the future of sustainability in the country of El Salvador. It examines the barriers that the country is currently facing and the possible solutions to them. The government of El Salvador, many NGO’s and private corporation and organization are at the forefront of these solutions.

The goal of my project is to merge the different points of view and build a common road towards climate adaptation and sustainability. I conducted interviews with several organizations and heard their opinion on El Salvador’s climate action plan. These organizations were the following: MARN (Ministry of Environment), GIZ (German Society of International Cooperation), CENTA (National Center for Agricultural and Forestry Technology), FIAES (American Initiative Fund), FUNDASYRAN (Foundation of Socioeconomic Development and Environmental Restoration). The results show that El Salvador’s main current climate problem are drought, aquifer decline, temperature increase and education.

Evaluating the stated problems, some of the proposed solutions included better educational programs for elementary school students, greater incentives for environmental scientific investigations, energy independence, better ecosystem management and conservation, climate change insurance, green businesses certifications, improvement of environmental and social equity. This research will provide valuable information for Salvadorian communities and organizations, focusing on sustainability and climate adaptation initiatives and solutions. The project was presented in the form of a podcast to clearly communicate climate and scientific jargon to Salvadorian communities that struggle to understand it.