2024-11-25 05:30:00
A Colombian police officer sprays glyphosate on coca fields, in Tumaco, in 2020. JUAN BARRETO / AFP
News of the week
New live. There are still places left for the first “Human Chaleur” Ideas Festival on Saturday, December 14 in Paris (or by video). You will be able to hear a series of ideas for things to do to be (finally) on the right trajectory, and also to have a time that we hope is collective, joyful and full of hope – in this not-so-fun period. You can click here to find out more and take your places – in Paris or by video.
New column. How can we prepare our schools for the heatwave? Cécile Cazenave, producer of “Chaleur humaine”, returns, in this column, to the parents who lobbied for school buildings to better adapt to global warming. You can find it here.
Question of the week
“Hello Nabil, do we know the ecological impact of drugs? Both the so-called “soft” ones and the synthetic “hard” ones? Deforestation, water consumption, chemical pollution, transport… There would be a lot to say, right? » Question asked by Brian at chaud [email protected]
My response: The ecological impact of drugs is significant, but difficult to assess precisely. Illegal drug cultivation causes localized pollution and degrades biodiversity. At the global level, the impact is much less massive than other sectors, but remains significant due to deforestation, particularly in Latin America.
(Most of the information in this response comes from the very comprehensive 2022 report from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, which you can find here.)
1. Why does drug manufacturing pollute?
Drug production and consumption first impacts agricultural production, which requires numerous pesticides and chemical fertilizers. This impact is difficult to quantify with precision: firstly, because we only have fragmentary information, but also because the diversity of impacts must be taken into account. Deforestation caused by coca cultivation in Mexico, for example, has a strong impact on biodiversity (you will find an example in this documentary on the life of Homero Gomez, defender of monarch butterflies). Another example: in the Rif region of Morocco, intensive cannabis cultivation has made this region the largest consumer of fertilizers and pesticides in the country’s entire agricultural sector – while the ecosystem of the region is already fragile, in particular because of the lack of water.
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How does the Colombian National Police approach community engagement when conducting coca crop eradication efforts?
**Interview on Coca Eradication and its Impacts in Colombia**
**Host:** Welcome to today’s segment where we explore pressing global issues. With us is Captain Laura Castillo, an officer with the Colombian National Police who has extensive experience in coca crop eradication efforts. Thanks for joining us, Captain Castillo.
**Captain Castillo:** Thank you for having me. It’s an important topic that deserves attention.
**Host:** Absolutely. Recently, there’s been a lot of discussion about the methods used for coca crop eradication in Colombia, especially with the shift away from aerial spraying of glyphosate. Can you explain what methods are currently being employed?
**Captain Castillo:** Since the banning of glyphosate aerial spraying, we’ve shifted mainly to forced manual eradication. This involves police or army personnel going into coca-growing regions and removing the plants by hand, which is incredibly labor-intensive and challenging. [[1](https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2020/11/02/colombia-us-election-trump-coca-eradication-433811)]
**Host:** That sounds quite demanding, both physically and logistically. What are some of the challenges your team faces on the ground?
**Captain Castillo:** The challenges are numerous. We often face hostile environments, including difficult terrain and resistance from local farmers who rely on coca as their primary income source. Furthermore, the risk of violence increases in these areas, as many armed groups are involved in the narcotics trade. This makes our work not only about eradication but also about community engagement and finding alternatives for farmers.
**Host:** Speaking of community engagement, how important is it to provide alternatives for those who rely on coca cultivation?
**Captain Castillo:** It’s crucial. Simply uprooting coca without providing viable economic alternatives leaves many families with nothing, which could lead them to return to coca cultivation. We work with various agencies to offer sustainable agriculture training or job opportunities in sectors like ecotourism or agriculture that aren’t reliant on illegal crops. [[1](https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2020/11/02/colombia-us-election-trump-coca-eradication-433811)]
**Host:** That’s a vital point. It seems like a holistic approach may yield better long-term results. How do you envision the future of coca crop eradication in Colombia?
**Captain Castillo:** I believe we need a balanced approach—one that combines effective enforcement with community support and development. This will require long-term commitment from both the Colombian government and international partners to create policies that address the root causes of drug cultivation and trafficking.
**Host:** Thank you, Captain Castillo, for shedding light on this complex issue. Your insights on the human element and the need for sustainable alternatives are invaluable.
**Captain Castillo:** Thank you for having me. It’s important that the larger public understands the implications of coca cultivation and the efforts to combat it.
**Host:** And thank you, viewers, for tuning in. This has been an enlightening discussion on the realities of coca crop eradication in Colombia. Stay informed and engaged.
