Mérida’s Bold Move Against Global Warming

The city of Mérida is taking a stand against global warming, with plans to implement green corridor projects that have been successful in other communities. The city's newly elected mayor, Cecilia Patrón Laviada, has cited the green corridors of Medellín, Antioquia in Colombia as an example of how public policy can be effective when there is collaboration from all sectors of the community.

In a fresh approach to governance, policies are being developed in conjunction with residents, with the aim of demonstrating their effectiveness through proven results. During a meeting with Aníbal Gaviria Correa, former governor of Antioquia, the concept of green corridors was discussed. These are areas that promote ecological connectivity by planting trees, shrubs, and palms, and creating green coverings that form an environmental network linking parks and roads.

Green corridors are strategically placed in areas of the city that lack green public spaces. They serve multiple purposes, including temperature regulation, dust and pollutant absorption, noise isolation, and carbon dioxide capture. The initiative was first implemented in Antioquia in 2016 as a response to increasing air pollution and heat levels.

In Antioquia, thirty corridors have been established, with 18 connected to roadways and 12 to water sources. This has promoted biodiversity and transformed the city into a sustainable infrastructure model. To date, the project has resulted in a 2ºC reduction in temperature and improved air quality.

The green corridor initiative has garnered popular support through the municipal participatory budget, a fund that allows local residents to choose which initiatives receive funding. With this approach, Mérida's mayor, Cecilia Patrón, is prepared to lead the city towards a greener and more sustainable future.