Ecuador's Environmental Policies
Ecuador's constitution provides protection for the environment. Then, a document called "Basic Environmental Principles" was written. It detailed how each person should treat the environment and what they could do to help. On and on, the list goes of new policies created by Ecuador's government. They are doing all they can do to preserve this biodiverse country. I think we could take some advice from them as a country. If our country, along with others, could realize the value of our natural world, we could repair some of the damage we've done.
Quito Bus System
Many of the residents of Quito are of low income and living in slums. To get to their jobs, they rely on Quito's public transportation. Depending on how far away from home they work, some residents will spend upwards of three hours in commute to and from work everyday. Public transport has the potential to be very helpful in really any context. It reduces carbon emissions from people driving and helps people get where they need to go inexpensively. Quito could reform public transportation to help its lower class citizens.
Origin of Volcanoes in Ecuador
In Ecuador, volcanoes formed due to the Nazca plate moving under the South American plate. This is called the subduction zone. The crust then pushed upward, creating mountain ranges. Magma, created by the subduction zone, can then be pushed up through the lighter crust. There are three types of volcanoes- stratovolcanoes (most common), cinder cone volcanoes, and shield volcanoes. Each has its own distinct characteristics, ranging from extreme "Hollywood" volcanoes to constant, gentle lava flows. There is always a risk living near active volcanoes, but now scientists are working on ways to predict volcanic eruptions before they happen. This could potentially save hundreds of people from any future major eruptions.
Cloud Forests
Found mostly in the tropics, cloud forests are located at higher elevations where clouds or mist will always be present over the diverse vegetation. All of its trees are around the same height. This is due to the limited light and ever-present cloud cover. These forests are very important; they store water in the ecosystem. Epiphytes are very common in cloud forests. They get their water directly from fog and moisture in the air, making the forest an ideal location for survival. Water stored by epiphytes is filtered by the plant and is, therefore, unpolluted. Cloud forests are home to many endemic and threatened species, making them valuable learning tools and vital to preserve.
Water Crisis
Water is a vital natural resource that is often taken for granted. In many places, clean drinking water is considered a luxury. Latin America has some of the largest sources of fresh water in the world, and yet here, many do not have access to it. Fresh water sources are being polluted by factories, sewage, and other large industries. Farms then use the contaminated water to irrigate their plants, then the produce is sold, contributing to health problem across the country. With glaciers melting at alarming rates, the question becomes how much water do we have left and what do we do if we run out? Countries like Chile are advocating for shorter showers by installing clocks in the bathroom. A shower can use up to 25 gallons of water for every 5 minutes of being in the shower. Ecuador is against the privatization of water. This practice doesn't allow the poor to have access to water and is unsustainable. If water is privatized, it allows large corporations to step on the people. In my opinion, water is a basic human need, therefore the government should treat it that way, providing clean water for every person. Water is not a business in which the rich should profit. Water should be safe and available to all.