Panama’s doomsday warning is not about holiday shopping

The Panama Canal in Crisis: A Report on the Intersection of Sustainable Development Goals

The Panama Canal is facing a dire situation as a severe drought hampers navigation along this vital trade artery that cuts through the isthmus of Panama in Central America.

Current Situation

As of mid-August, more than 200 ships were stranded at the canal, causing concerns about supply chains and potential disruptions to holiday shopping.

The Panama Canal has always had significant environmental challenges, even before the onset of accelerated climate change. The construction of the canal in the late 1800s and early 1900s represented humanity’s attempt to dominate nature, resulting in the loss of thousands of lives.

Historical Context

The United States saw the Panama Canal as crucial to its global destiny, with President Theodore Roosevelt considering it indispensable for the country’s commanding power on two oceans. The US controlled the Panama Canal Zone from 1903 to 1979, and Panama assumed control over the canal itself in 1999, although the US remains its primary user.

During the Cold War, the Canal Zone served as a base for US operations in the region, supporting right-wing activities under the guise of fighting communism. The US military’s involvement in Panama led to the overthrow of dictator Manuel Noriega in 1990, resulting in significant destruction and loss of life.

Current Realities

The present-day situation in Panama highlights the stark contrast between luxury buildings in Panama City and the ground-level poverty in certain areas. The recent sentencing of former Panamanian president Ricardo Martinelli for money laundering obscures the systemic nature of such crimes and capitalism’s role as a global money laundering operation.

Furthermore, the journey through the Darien Gap, a treacherous stretch of jungle, has become a deadly route for refugees heading north in search of a better life. The US’s political and economic meddling in the region has contributed to the refugee crisis, and its militarization efforts perpetuate the dangers faced by migrants even after they leave the Darien Gap.

Intersection of Crises

With the Panama Canal now threatened by drought, the country is at the crossroads of the global climate crisis, the global refugee crisis, and the inequalities perpetuated by the exploitative global economic model championed by the US.

It remains to be seen whether Panama is a microcosm of capitalist self-destruction. However, the potential demise of a canal that should never have been built serves as a metaphor for an entire system that should never have existed.

The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera’s editorial stance.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 13: Climate Action
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG 1: No Poverty

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters.
• SDG 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.
• SDG 16.6: Develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels.
• SDG 10.4: Adopt policies, especially fiscal, wage, and social protection policies, to progressively achieve greater equality.
• SDG 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men.
• SDG 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe, and affordable housing and basic services.
• SDG 1.2: By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women, and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for SDG 13.1: Number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected people attributed to disasters per 100,000 population.
• Indicator for SDG 13.2: Number of countries that have communicated the establishment or operationalization of an integrated policy/strategy/plan which increases their ability to adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change.
• Indicator for SDG 16.6: Proportion of the population satisfied with their last experience of public services.
• Indicator for SDG 10.4: Proportion of total government spending on essential services (education, health, and social protection).
• Indicator for SDG 8.5: Employment-to-population ratio by sex, age group, and persons with disabilities.
• Indicator for SDG 11.1: Proportion of urban population living in slums, informal settlements, or inadequate housing.
• Indicator for SDG 1.2: Proportion of men, women, and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: aljazeera.com

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