Ricaurte Vásquez Morales, an official with the Panama Canal Authority, recently described a potential water crisis in the region as a competition between transit and human consumption. This competition has arisen due to a historic drought that is threatening the trade route overseen by the Panama Canal Authority.
Despite connecting two oceans, the canal relies on freshwater from a nearby lake, which has been diminishing over the past two decades due to the prolonged drought. Consequently, there is insufficient water for vessels to navigate through the canal and for local communities to access for drinking.
In August, the average wait time for ships at the canal increased from less than a week to nearly a week and a half, resulting in a significant bottleneck. At one point, over 160 ships were left waiting for a Panama official to grant passage.
It’s worth noting that part of the relief from this backlog came from utilizing more freshwater, which poses a challenge given the ongoing 20-year drought in the region. This situation resembles the two-decade drought affecting the Colorado River and causing Nevada’s Lake Mead to reach just 34% of its capacity.
However, the lake in Panama plays a crucial role in global supply chains, and disruptions could worsen existing supply chain issues. The pandemic already contributed to a spike in global inflation due to supply chain disruptions, and the Panama Canal handles approximately 40% of global cargo ship traffic. The potential consequences for prices and global trade are concerning.
Moreover, the local residents are also facing a “slight competition” for access to freshwater, which is essential for their survival.
This summer was the hottest on record, according to NASA, and ocean temperatures have set record highs for the fifth consecutive month. The United Nations estimates that natural disasters linked to climate change displace more than 20 million people worldwide each year.
Despite the overwhelming evidence of human influence on climate change, some continue to deny it. This denial is perpetuated even by influential figures in Congress and the Republican presidential field.
Meanwhile, Panama is planning to spend $2 billion to redirect more rivers toward the man-made lake to sustain the canal. This raises questions about the impact on the ecosystem, a concern that should not be underestimated.
The bottleneck in the canal is expected to cost Panama tens of millions of dollars in lost revenue, and approximately two out of every three ships using the canal are connected to the U.S. economy. It serves as an economical route for transporting goods such as grain and food supplies.
While there are no simple solutions to this crisis, it’s essential to recognize that the U.S. played a role in creating the problem and should take responsibility. Climate change deniers in Congress and the Republican presidential field contribute to exacerbating the situation.
Electing leaders who acknowledge the issue and the U.S.’s involvement is a critical step. We must understand that our economy directly influences freshwater usage in Panama. Moreover, it’s crucial to remember that the canal’s construction was driven not only by American ingenuity but also American imperialism. It wasn’t until 1999 that the U.S. relinquished control of the canal.
Now, climate changes, partly driven by U.S. industrialization and consumption, have caused a “slight competition” between transit and human consumption, reflecting a broader conflict between capitalism and humanity. While the answers may not be simple, it is imperative to elect leaders who recognize that we are part of the problem and work toward responsible solutions.
