The coldest sea current in the world is hidden in the waters of the Pacific Ocean and laps the southern part of Latin America. This current is now endangered by global warming, thus causing inestimable environmental damage.
‘RedMarina’, a medium-sized Peruvian NGO made up of 20 participants, has been carrying out a project intended to implement a model of eco coexistence in the community. More specifically, the mission consists of educating young people and adults in relation to the marine current called Humboldt and the conservation of the endemic and migratory species of this impressive and fundamental biological corridor for all humanity. The motto brandished in the name of their campaigns and activities is using “#CTM #CuidaTuMundo” literally from Spanish ‘take care of your world’.
The Humboldt Current, better known as the Peru Current, travels north to south, flowing through Chile, Peru, and Ecuador. Due to the movement of the Earth, there is pressure towards the depth of these particularly cold waters, which then tend to expand and spread towards the surface area. As a result of this phenomenon, the surface water layer tends to cool down, a basic element for the coastal ecosystem and the animal and plant species that live within it. It is because of this that the seas of Peru and Chile are on average 10 ° colder than those of neighboring states and the Pacific area. There are numerous species of animals populating this immense submerged environment, including giant squids, more than 50 species of sharks, sea lions, whales, and other cetaceans that travel from one pole to another, travel and live in this current. To get a better idea of the issue, it is worth recalling the biodiversity of the Galapagos Islands, and how their biodiversity and richness are closely linked to the Humboldt Current.
A recent figure provided by the United Nations Organization states that the Humboldt Current “…is threatened by climate change and could lose part of its production”. In relation to the data produced by FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations), “…between 2005 and 2015, more than 9 million tons of fish, mollusks, and crustaceans have been caught each year in this region, but the trend is decreasing.” FAO warns that this is partly due to over-exploitation, but also to the climatic phenomena affecting the area.
The Humboldt Current is very sensitive to the phenomenon that causes surface water to heat up, with consequent lower production of plankton and therefore food shortages for animals. It is in this context that activists place their hard work, their tears, and sufferings, trying to keep the marine ecosystem intact through cleaning and education, and prevention actions on the issue. They also dedicate a large part of their time to saving animals suffering from ailments and diseases, in order to free them and preserve fought long an invaluable and irreplaceable naturalistic and environmental heritage.
Rethinking Climate 