Panama foot dragging on climate change readiness

Panama has done little to prepare for or combat the dangers inherent in climate changes.

The statement comes from  the head of the country's National Evironmental Authority (ANAM) Javier Arias.

Speaking in Open Debate on RPC Channel 4. He stressed the need for more work to be done in this area

Arias explained that the country participates in a network program for adaptation to climate changebut says greater efforts are required and cited an international study showing that the damages from climate change have cost Central America between 32 and 54% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
He said has more resources had now beenauthorized by the Ministry of Agricultural Development (MIDA) to help the country's threatened areas.
Experts have recognized the vulnerability of Panamanian territory, which islittle more than 75,000 square kilometers, and according to the UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction, the sea level is registering an increase of one inch every 10 years, a threat to many islands and coastal regions
José Manuel Pérez, national coordinator of the small grants program in the United Nations Program for Development (UNDP), said the ripple effect is being felt in Panama due to rising global temperatures and for reasons such as bad hotel developments and the destruction of mangroves.
Perez pointed out that mangroves are an important natural barrier, including prevention and mitigation against potential natural disasters.