Book 2 - Ebu

Learning Resource Kit: Book 2
Sánchez Ponce also commented that Mexico will experience an increase in sea level,
primarily affecting the Gulf of Mexico coastal areas, signifying that populated areas will
be severely impacted.
[…]
Analysis
The news article addresses an issue that is prevalent across the region. While the
reporter chooses to retain a local focus in the story, he misses an opportunity to write
a more informative article; he could have expanded it to include the ways in which
the climatic changes and water systems impact the women and men living in this
region of Mexico.
Agricultural production is mentioned, but there is no reference to the people who
carry out this work, that is, the percentage of women and men involved in production,
how they are impacted by the drought, and how their everyday lives and their social
and family roles will be altered by these changes over the short and long term. It is
stated that climate changes have been occurring for a considerable period of time.
It would not be surprising if people were migrating or had already migrated to
other places, as a result of the changes and the loss of natural resources. It would be
expected that the changes have in turn impacted the social and family arrangements
for women and girls. Clearly, a brief history of the area would be helpful in better
understanding the issues.
The reporter notes that climate variations lead to a loss in biodiversity, but fails
to use the opportunity to explore how this affects life in the most vulnerable local
communities that are the most dependent on natural resources.
A news article as simple as this one can serve to bring out hidden stories and enable
better, balanced information. The stories can also bring visibility to issues that barely
enter into the world of communication, but are vital for a more just society.
Questions to ponder
1. How do the various manifestations of climate change, such as drought and
flooding, differently impact women and men
2. What factors affect vulnerability and the capacity for adaptation
3. How do women and men differently adapt to climate variations and to extreme
phenomena
4. How do gender roles change when climatic conditions change
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