Keeling Curve

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Year Project Originated:

Project Summary / Description:

Plastic pollution is a global crisis with severe local consequences, prompting us to take action in the Panama Bay, a Ramsar-protected area. After recognizing the inefficiency of beach cleanups, we shifted focus upstream to rivers, from where most ocean plastic originates. In 2024, we launched Siete Cuencas, a multisectoral alliance led by Marea Verde, to tackle this issue comprehensively. Building on the success of our Juan Díaz River intervention, the project scales innovative waste interception systems to six additional rivers, integrating community engagement and education. Our goal is to prevent plastics from reaching the Panama Bay, improving river and mangrove health while fostering sustainable local action. This public-private collaboration aligns with global and national sustainability goals, demonstrating that targeted, community-driven solutions can combat plastic pollution effectively and at lower costs than ocean cleanup. Siete Cuencas represents a proactive step toward addressing environmental challenges, reducing GHG emissions and protecting our communities.

How Project Affects Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions:

['Reduces GHGs (e.g., projects that reduce sources of GHGs, such as through efficiency or other changes in consumption)']

Impact on Underrepresented Groups:

Marea Verde is committed to empowering underrepresented groups and fostering inclusivity within the climate movement. We partner with an organization that helps resocialize former convicts, offering them respectable employment opportunities at Marea Verde and a chance to rebuild their lives. This initiative not only supports social reintegration but also highlights the contributions from diverse environmental solutions.
We prioritize working with climate-vulnerable communities, particularly those disproportionately affected by plastic pollution and the consequences brought by this condition, such as increased flooding and health risk. Our interventions, such as installing capture devices in rivers and implementing educational programs, focus on schools and neighborhoods facing the greatest challenges. By providing free visits to La Casa de Wanda for public schools, we ensure that children from all socioeconomic backgrounds have access to environmental education, inspiring the next generation of changemakers.
Additionally, Marea Verde is a women-founded and predominantly women-led organization. This leadership reflects our commitment to amplifying the voices of women in the climate movement and ensuring their perspectives drive impactful change.