Climate Change, Latin America & the Caribbean Protecting a singular ecosystem in the Galápagos

Michael Weisberg, Perry World House's Senior Faculty Fellow and Director of Post-Graduate Programs, is quoted in this article from Penn Today.

In January 2022, the Galápagos Marine Reserve was expanded by 60,000 square kilometers, bringing the total area to 198,000 square kilometers. Created in 1998, the space is home to one of the most diverse marine ecosystems in existence, with species ranging from whale sharks to Pacific Green Turtles to Galápagos penguins.

The reserve is also unique because it brings together the governments of Ecuador, Costa Rica, Panama, and Colombia in an allied effort to stave off illegal fishing practices, such as shark finning. It’s a remarkable achievement says Michael Weisberg, the Bess W. Heyman President’s Distinguished Professor of Philosophy in the School of Arts & Sciences, who has been involved in research and activism in the islands for much of his career.

“These are places that are unique in the world and we’re losing them because of climate change and overfishing,” says Weisberg, author of “Galápagos: Life in Motion.” “And it’s easy to say that we prioritize these things, but to actually try to do it shows real leadership.”

Read more in Penn Today >>