The ecology of peace: preparing Colombia for new political and planetary climates

Background

Written in 2018, this article recognizes that Colombia is emerging from a decades long conflict and this newfound social peace will have ecological and environmental effects. The authors aim to examine how the current, stable state of Colombia along with the continuing changes in global climate may shape both the ecological character and biodiversity of the country. They do so by first reviewing the socio-political state of Colombia and then go on to identify challenges in research and policy and discuss management decisions in the country that may lead to beneficial outcomes. 

Conclusions & Takeaways

The review argues that the peace agreement will cause an inevitable transformation due to the intensification of agriculture and general land-cover change. This  in conjunction with global climate change will likely pose a significant risk to Colombia's biodiversity and its ecosystems. Thus, the authors urge the Colombian people to do the following five action steps in order to protect this ecological rich part of the world: (1) take advantage of increased access to technology for monitoring climate, ecosystem processes, and various natural resource uses; (2) base decisions on scientifically sound evidence; (3) effectively implement climate policies; (4) prioritize efforts to help vulnerable populations displaced by conflict or climate; and (5) protect natural resources that are at risk due to stable, peaceful time.