Region

South America

Páramos: An Ecosystem under Siege

Colombia's páramos, a unique highland ecosystem, has been described as the "water factory" of the Andes. But rampant, and sometimes illegal, coal mining is putting it in danger.

Chasing Illegal Miners in Colombia

The Colombian miners killed in an explosion last week are a stark reminder that mining-related deaths occur frequently in the country, where institutions are not equipped to enforce safety measures.

The Water is Disappearing in Amazonas

Anna-Katarina Gravgaard's article, "The Water is Disappearing in Amazonas," appeared in the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten. In it, she reports that the water levels in the Amazon river were at their lowest ever measured this year.

Trek to an Untouched Water Factory

Efforts to protect Colombia's páramos, a fragile ecosystem and water source for the capital city of Bogotá, compete with development initiatives for political attention.