El Torno prepares against the effects of climate change

  • El Torno, Colombia, is an example of adaptation and resilience to climate change after a severe flood in 2010.
  • UNDP and the Ministry of Environment are working to prepare communities for extreme weather events.
  • Programs have been implemented to cultivate flood-resistant plants and create climate-adapted housing.
  • Lessons learned from the disaster have led to reforestation and good disaster prevention practices.

The Rio San Jorge overflows due to torrential rains

Climate change is increasing the intensity and frequency of extreme weather events such as droughts and floods. In this case, we're heading to the town of El Torno, Colombia, which was severely affected by severe flooding in 2010. The fact that this town was damaged by the flood prompted measures and development to prepare for the effects of climate change. Thus, El Torno is today a whole an example of adaptive capacity and resilience to climate change and also in a sustainable way.

Floods caused by climate change

floods school of El Torno

The town of El Torno has been affected for many years by heavy torrential rains that have caused serious damage and enormous repair costs. In order to alleviate the devastating effects of the floods, the Ministry of the Environment and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has been working with leaders in every region of Colombia since 2013 to prepare residents and increase resilience to the effects of climate change. Climate change plans are based on the development of agricultural, housing, and multidisciplinary training programs that help with adaptation to global warming. While it is true that no matter how many plans and programs are developed, they will never be able to prevent extreme natural phenomena caused by climate change, Yes, they can reduce the impacts that these have on the population. These impacts can be economic, social, health, material goods, etc.

Flood in Costa Rica
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Measures against climate change

Climate change causes floods in El Torno

To reduce the impacts that climate change produces in these areas through extreme natural phenomena, programs have been developed, such as, for example, growing traditional plants that are resistant to flooding within the framework of climate adaptation. Seedbeds are filled with seeds capable of germinating flood-resistant crops. This way, since we cannot prevent flooding, at least we won't have the economic loss from agricultural plantations. Furthermore, traditional seeds are also resistant to pests and droughts (two other consequences caused by climate change). The UNDP has also taken other actions, such as: creating homes that are adapted to changes in climate and a network of hydrological stations has been implemented to warn and advise residents when the San Jorge River begins to pose a threat due to heavy torrential rains. In this regard, you can learn more about the plant adaptation to climate change.

plant adaptation to climate change
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These measures are quite remarkable and help reduce the impacts of climate change in these areas. Unfortunately, these ideas and innovations did not exist in 2010 when the floods occurred which, while not causing many deaths, it did affect 211.000 people in the La Mojana region, destroying crops, ecosystems and more than 20.000 homes. It also becomes evident how the Global warming effects can have severe repercussions on vulnerable populations such as that of El Torno.

We learn from mistakes

floods in La Mojana

Following this catastrophe and the impact on lives and property caused by the floods, the Ministry of Environment and UNDP have launched a pilot plan to prevent extreme weather events, reduce their impact, and cause less damage. These plans have become good disaster prevention practices and have become a daily fixture in the area. In other words, they are actions carried out by the entire population as a further value introduced into society. These projects have a budget of approximately eight million dollars, and thanks to them, tragedies like the Mocoa avalanche are prevented. To prevent flood damage, a forest has been replanted by the communities around the San Jorge River to regulate its flow and at the same time provide fruit and pasture for livestock. You can learn more about the concepts of climate change and global warming to better understand the situation.

climate change and pregnant women
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As you can see, climate change has many effects around the world. We can't avoid extreme events unless greenhouse gas emissions are reduced, but we can minimize the impacts. It's also important to mention that the El Torno case is a clear example of how the community can unite and adapt to the challenges posed by climate change. climate change, and how resilience strategies can be implemented.

Lake San Mauricio
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