Regional Experts Say Central America Must Step Up Climate Change Fight

摘要

Central America must boost actions to tackle climate change because the impoverished region could face one of the heaviest tolls from global warming, regional experts said. "We are having very serious droughts and research indicates they are set to worsen," Ricardo Castaneda, an economist with Central American fiscal and economic research institute Icefi, told Bloomberg BNA Sept. 19. He added grain prices are surging, making it harder for citizens to afford basic food items. His comments come as Icefi is urging the region's governments to introduce adaptation policies and climate change legislation. "With the exception of Guatemala, other countries don't have adaptation policies, regulatory frameworks or laws," he said. According to Castaneda, Icefi is working on a draft climate change strategy for regional governments and studying how much money will be needed for future adaptation projects.