Query about Quito’s Carbon Emissions

Image shows the green-ness of Quito with the city off in the distance.

“Anybody who’s been to Ecuador wants to go back because it’s beautiful out there” – Michael Steger (American actor).  Unlike Amherst which ended its winter break in early February, my program in Ecuador began in early January, meaning I had just two weeks in between the end of my studies in Spain and when I would have to depart for

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Development, tourism, and conservation: A conversation with my host father

Margot and her host father

  This week, I sat down with my host father in the Galápagos, Luis, to get his perspective on the issues facing the islands. Luis was born in San Cristóbal about fifty years ago and has lived here his entire life. Based on what I have observed and learned so far, I was most interested in exploring his attitudes toward

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What I got wrong about Ecuadorian environmental attitudes

Galapagos sea lion

  I came to Ecuador eager to explore the country’s relationship to extraction and conservation. So far, what I have found is far from what I expected. Over the past seven weeks, I have come to appreciate the nuances of Ecuadorian environmental attitudes in two very distinct locations: Quito and San Cristóbal, Galápagos. I suppose it was hubris that led

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