On January 16, two graduate students from the Center for Development Economics (CDE) at Williams College came to Log Lunch to speak about environmental issues in their countries. Selarath Chum from Cambodia discussed deforestation and Yamin Portillo spoke about the environmental features that cause natural disasters in Guatemala.
Chum gave a brief overview of Cambodia and deforestation in the country. As a nation with one of the world’s highest rates of deforestation, Cambodia’s forested area has decreased by a rate of approximately 0.5 percent annually; the forest area as of 2012 was just 55.7 percent of the total land area. Economic drivers such as the cultivation of rubber, cassava, and the mining industry have caused this heavy loss of the forested regions. Additionally, a proposed hydropower project on the Areng River has the potential to continue the devastation of the wooded areas. The trees themselves are not the only casualties to deforestation; Chum explained that over forty endangered plant and animal species could be harmed due to the loss of their habitat. Finally, Chum highlighted the tradeoff for those considering the forests between development and conservation, as the trees serve as both a financial and a natural resource for the Cambodians.
Next, Portillo presented an introduction to the country of Guatemala. She asked the group if anyone knew Guatemala’s location and then proceeded to explain where it is based on its prominent environmental features that cause natural disasters. First, the country is situated in a Central American location where hurricane landfall is very common. Second, Guatemala is located in the Ring of Fire, a string of volcanic activity on the country’s Pacific coast. Finally, Guatemala also experiences seismic activity based on the adjacent tectonic plate boundary. Portillo concluded by providing a brief description of the organizations, such as the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility, that help Guatemalans prepare for and recover from the damage these features cause. While hurricanes, volcanoes, and earthquakes cause great disaster, they are persistent features of Guatemalan life and can also provide benefits to the nation, for example, with the increased opportunities for tourism at volcanoes.
Chum’s and Portillo’s presentations brought global perspectives to Log Lunch and provided an opportunity for Williams undergraduates to learn more about the work of the graduate students at the CDE.
By Sara Clark ‘15
