EXPLAINER - How does diplomacy actually work, and what are its tools?
Behind closed doors or at public summits, diplomacy quietly shapes our world. It’s more than handshakes, it’s about negotiation, persuasion, and p...
The NGO Ocean Cleanup, in collaboration with the Guatemalan government and local communities, has installed the largest trash barrier to date on the Motagua River. This major effort aims to capture and remove vast amounts of garbage before it reaches the sea.
In a significant step toward environmental recovery, the NGO Ocean Cleanup, working alongside the Guatemalan government and local communities, has installed a robust trash barrier interceptor on the Motagua River, located in eastern Guatemala. The Motagua River, which divides Guatemala and Honduras, has long suffered from pollution caused by solid waste, threatening local ecosystems and coastal waters.
Installed in the town of El Quetzalito at the river’s mouth, the new trash barrier — known as Interceptor 021 — stretches 158 meters in length with a draft of approximately one meter, making it the largest interceptor deployed by the NGO to date. The system is designed to capture floating trash carried by the river, preventing it from entering the sea.
Once collected, the trash is removed from the river by a combination of heavy machinery and volunteer efforts. It is then transported for sorting and proper waste management, reducing the environmental impact on the surrounding ecosystems.
This project builds on a previous successful installation in 2023 on the Las Vacas River, a tributary connecting Guatemala City to the Motagua River. That barrier has already prevented over 10 million kilograms of trash from flowing into the Gulf of Honduras, according to Ocean Cleanup’s reports.
Volunteers working along the Motagua River have noticed significant improvements. Cesar Dubon, a local volunteer, described the change: “Before, you couldn’t even walk on the beach because of the garbage; sometimes you would sink up to your waist while walking. Now, you can even run and have a soccer match.”
Ingrid Morales, a representative from Guatemala’s Environment Ministry, emphasized the importance of the combined efforts by Ocean Cleanup and local communities. “Our work, alongside the communities along the river and the trash barriers, brings hope for restoring the affected environments,” she said.
The installation of this trash barrier interceptor represents a major step forward in addressing pollution in Central America, offering a practical solution to reduce riverine waste and protect marine and coastal ecosystems for future generations.
The world’s biggest dance music festival faces an unexpected setback as a fire destroys its main stage, prompting a last-minute response from organisers determined to keep the party alive in Boom, Belgium.
Australian researchers have created a groundbreaking “biological AI” platform that could revolutionise drug discovery by rapidly evolving molecules within mammalian cells.
Australian researchers have pioneered a low-cost and scalable plasma-based method to produce ammonia gas directly from air, offering a green alternative to the traditional fossil fuel-dependent Haber-Bosch process.
A series of earthquakes have struck Guatemala on Tuesday afternoon, leading authorities to advise residents to evacuate from buildings as a precaution against possible aftershocks.
'Superman' continued to dominate the summer box office, pulling in another $57.25 million in its second weekend, as theatres welcome a wave of blockbuster competition following a challenging few years for the film industry.
The Environmental Protection Agency has moved to erase the foundation of America’s climate regulations. On Tuesday, it unveiled a proposal to rescind the “endangerment finding,” the legal opinion that lets it curb greenhouse gas emissions.
They seem distant and frozen in time, but glaciers are melting fast, and the ripple effects are reaching every corner of the world. From rising seas to disrupted weather and water shortages, their disappearance is reshaping our shared future.
The United Nation’s climate chief says a delay in choosing the host for next year’s COP31 summit is causing problems. It's after Australia and Türkiye submitted bids in 2022 to host the high-profile conference in 2026. Sydney said it's received the most votes.
Fierce wildfires are tearing through Bulgaria, burning homes, threatening villages, and forcing people to evacuate the area, as firefighters face dangerous conditions across the country.
Firefighters in Greece are battling wildfires near Athens and on several islands as the country swelters under its third heatwave of the summer. People have evacuated from their villages as flames spread through dry terrain, fanned by strong winds and record temperatures.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment