Mother Earth in times of climate change
Since ancient times, the Andean peoples of South America have honored Mother Earth, Pachamama, the goddess of fertility, an essential element of the culture and traditions of the indigenous communities of the region.
In the Andean regions of Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina, every August 1st, homage, veneration, and expressions of gratitude are offered to Mother Earth for the harvests, the abundance of the soil, and the good weather. The central ritual to Pachamama is the challa, or offering, which consists of burying a clay pot with cooked food, along with coca leaves, alcohol, wine, cigarettes, and chicha (a fermented beverage).
Respect for Mother Earth takes on particular importance in these times when climate change, caused by human activity, assaults and affects nature with dramatic consequences for fauna, flora, and the quality of life of men and women on all five continents. Deforestation, environmental pollution, and the predation and extinction of animal and plant species are some of the factors that generate environmental damage, compelling us to return to our roots to perpetuate Pachamama as protector of humankind and to pay tribute to Mother Earth as the source of life.
A podcast by Eric Domergue for CLACSO Radio
With analyses by Orlando Rey Santos , Advisor to the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment of Cuba, Edgardo Lander , Venezuelan sociologist, and Karina Batthyány , Executive Director of CLACSO.
For CLACSO, environmental degradation is the subject of one of its Platforms for Social Dialogue , " Environment, Climate Change and Social Development ," and is reflected in its actions, research, and publications, including 4 specific Working Groups:
Political ecologies from the South/Abya-Yala
Energy and sustainable development
Social metabolism/Environmental justice
Just transitions and care for our common home
CLACSO publications on climate change.
From September 29 to October 1, 2022, at the University of Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia, organized by OXFAM Latin America, the Latin American Council of Social Sciences, the School of Human Sciences and the University of Rosario of Bogotá, the forum “ Just Transitions in Latin America ” was held.
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