I see no evidence that Latin American nations, which have traditionally invested little in the social welfare of their populations, are taking the threat to their populations of climate change seriously.

In 1950, The U.S. and Canada had, collectively, a population of 170 million people. At the same time, the population of all of Latin America was also approximately 170 million. Today in 2010, the U.S. and Canada combine have 340 people, while Latin America has a population of 560 million. During the past 60 years the U.S. and Canada have doubled their population (which includes immigration), while Latin America tripled in population size.

By 2050, the U.S. and Canada are anticipated to have an estimated 408 million people. Latin American in 2050 is expected to grow to between 800 and 900 million.

The question arises as to how Latin America's regional planners expect to support 240 to 340 million people in the next 4 decades (a number equal to all who live in the U.S. and Canada today), when unequal land distribution and poor governance do not allow the existing population to survive even today, thus resulting in mass migration to the U.S.

As an advocate for the victims of human trafficking and gender-based exploitation in Latin America, I agree with your conclusions that major climate change will have disastrous impacts on women (and children). Human traffickers are already exploiting women migrants by the tens of thousands in the region. The resulting crisis will only grow as climate change causes regions of Latin America to become untenable for farming and other economic activities.

The reality is that limiting population must be accepted in the region as an agenda item for discussion. The Americas, even without climate change, cannot support the rapid growth that is occurring today. A serious global warming trend will be easier for humanity to respond to if we ourselves act responsibly, and limit our numbers.

Our future survival depends upon taking this dramatic yet sensible step.

Chuck Goolsby
Founder and Coordinator
http://www.LibertadLatina.org
CharlesGoolsby@Yahoo.com

One tangible climate related issue involved the disappearance of the snow-capped peaks of the Andes mountains, which supply the majority of the fresh water to the generally arid regions of Altiplano [high plains] Bolivia, Chile, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia. Under some climate change models, these glaciers are expected to cease to exist sometime in the next 40 years. (Such glacial water sources have dried-up globally, in locations such as Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, which recently lost its glaciers to warming).

It is important that all of us who see these long-range risks to our children's futures take action today to raise awareness and to hold government and individuals accountable for their actions. The earth is not an infinite source of sustenance. It is limited, and all who share in its resources must think to the future, as is my Native American tradition, and be sure that our actions work to sustain our children's children and their children.

Thanks to COHA and Alexandra Deprez for this clear analysis of the potential impacts that Latin America will confront from climate change.

Climate change induced migration has serious implications for every nation in the Americas. While Latin America has looked upon the United States as an unending source of wealth, and as an escape valve for migrating, impoverished populations from the rest of the region, dramatic climate change may change the ability of the U.S. to play that role.

In the event of a major global warming trend, the bread basket in the U.S. and other agricultural regions may face persistent drought, and worse, permanent desertification.

Under that scenario, the U.S. will not necessarily be in a position to assist Latin America and the Caribbean to escape from economic and humanitarian crisis.

At that point in time, these conflicts may result in military conflict.