When bureaucracy meets a dump truck of reality
Imagine this: a group of activists with more determination than an influencer on publication day, climbing the Semarnat offices in Cancún as if they were the latest TikTok trend. The reason? Demand that the government stop handing out environmental authorizations as if they were free samples at a concert. Spoiler: the Mayan jungle is not an all-you-can-eat.
“Calica mode” is still in autoplay
It turns out that, although former president AMLO made a whole soap opera against Vulcan Materials (the company behind the destruction of 2,000 hectares in Playa del Carmen), Semarnat continues to repeat the same script. Now it was CEMEX’s turn to take the Oscar for “Best Deforestation” with a permit to raze 650 hectares near Tulum. And the Mayan Train? Oh, he’s just opening dozens of material banks as if they were pop-ups during sales season.
The most ironic thing: the public consultations are made after the permits are already signed. I mean, it’s like asking, “Do you mind if I eat your dessert?” when there are only crumbs left. Of course, with rain included, because even the weather added to the drama while those from Greenpeace endured in silence, banners in hand, as if they were extras from an apocalyptic movie.
Groundwater, the great forgotten one
Here’s the plot twist: the Yucatan Peninsula does not have surface rivers. All the water is underground, in a system of cenotes that are now at risk because the excavations reach the water tables. Translation: They’re drilling like they’re looking for the center of the Earth, but instead of dinosaurs, they’re digging up pollution for the aquifers. Not to mention the real estate boom and Airbnbs that grow faster than weeds.
The solution, according to activists: create biological corridors and a multi-sector dialogue. In other words, stop acting as if the planet has a reset button. Because, gentlemen, there is no “Ctrl+Z” for the jungle.
Are you as angry as we are? Share this note and continue exploring how digital activism can change the rules of the game. #SelvaVsSemarnat
