IT’S HAPPENING: The Panama Canal Just FINALLY Dried Up

IT’S HAPPENING: The Panama Canal Just FINALLY Dried Up

Panama Canal is also suffering from
major disruption as many fewer ships are
now getting through the Panama Canal a
vital route for billions of dollars in
trade to the United States has
surprisingly dried up as vessels cue in
desperation the cause of This calamity
and its implications are dire raising
alarms among scientists and economists
alike but what’s behind this
unprecedented gridlock on one of the
world’s busiest Maritime highways and
wire experts sounding alarm Bells join
us as we uncover the reasons behind the
drying of the Panama Canal and its
potential impact on global
[Music]
trade navigating from the Atlantic to
the Pacific in the past was risky and
tough for Sailors they had to tackle
treacherous routes like the Drake
Passage and the straight of melon to
skirt around South America’s tip dealing
with Dangerous Waters and strong winds
then came a game changing project by
Spanish explorers the Panama
Canal this canal was a Monumental feat
as it sliced through the narrow strip of
land dividing North and South America it
meant ships could zip between the
Atlantic and Pacific Oceans much faster
saving days or even weeks of travel time
but how did it all kick off well Spanish
explorers realized a canal would
simplify voyages across the oceans they
initially explored other options but
settled on Panama thanks to the railroad
the United States had built there in the
1800s eventually the railroad and Canal
almost aligned along the same path yet
things weren’t smooth sailing in 1881
the first attempt to carve a canal
through Panama’s narrow land bridge
began Colombia in control of Panama then
granted permission to the French company
Corp Universal du Canal interos to
construct the
canal led by Ferdinand de seps who had
successfully built the Suez Canal in
Egypt the company had High Hopes
inspired by past triumphs Ferdinand
aimed for a sea level canal in Panama
where the canal and surrounding oceans
would be at the same level to fund this
ambitious project Ferdinand rallied
support from many including everyday
people who contributed money however not
everyone was sold on his idea Adolf
Goden leine an experienced engineer had
studied Panama’s terrain and doubted the
plan’s
feasibility he proposed a better
alternative the Rio Grand and the
changes River were massive mountain
ranges known as the Continental Divide
situated about 15 km from the Pacific
Ocean LEP suggested using these rivers
to create artificial Lakes proposing to
build dams at Gaton and miraf Flores
these Lakes would be around 25 M deep
with a channel connecting them through
the mountains he also recommended using
locks to to move ships between different
water levels to reach the ocean despite
the engineers appreciation for Lep’s
idea the French Construction Company
didn’t adopt it sticking to its original
plan this decision led to failure as
they faced unforeseen challenges in
Panama a stark contrast to the
conditions in Egypt where they built the
sez
Canal Panama’s humid disease-prone
jungle along with its challenging
terrain proved daunting for the ill-
suited Machinery designed for Desert
conditions the workers and Engineers
grappled with tropical illnesses and the
company in a cost-saving move shifted
from a sea level design to one using
locks unfortunately this change didn’t
improve the situation much as the
project struggled financially the French
lost confidence in it leading to
bankruptcy in
1889 despite various attempts to revive
the company including in
1894 they couldn’t Salvage the project
and operation ceased in 1898 marking the
end of the Panama Canal dream for that
era the Panama Canal project once
abandoned by the French found new life
under American leadership surprisingly
the United States didn’t rely heavily on
French labor for the excavation instead
they took charge of the project
themselves in 1902 the United States
Congress passed the spoon act granting
them the resources equipment and
authority to construct the
canal however they needed Colombia’s
approval as Panama was under Colombian
rule when negotiations with Colombia
stalled Panama declared independence in
1903 with us support this paved the way
for the he heran treaty in 1904
establishing us jurisdiction over the
Canal Zone construction began in 1904
with a focus on building locks to manage
sea level differences and save costs
however new challenges arose starting
with the unpredictable chis
River president Theodore Roosevelt and
engineer John Frank Stevens opted for a
canal with locks similar to Lep’s
proposal this involved building a
massive Dam at gatun creating the gatun
lake and regulating the river’s flow the
project employed over 40,000 workers
mostly from the West IND for labor and
Americans for skilled roles steam
shovels were a key Innovation crucial
for Excavating challenging sections like
the KRA cut renamed Gard cut in honor of
an American architect unfortunately this
area was prone to mudslides and
landslides resulting in tragic losses
managing these geological challenges
posed constant difficulties highlighting
the complexity of the construction
process The Cucaracha slide of 190 07
stands out as a significant event during
the Canal’s construction this persistent
Landslide caused major setbacks
depositing millions of cubic yards of
material into the
excavation despite extreme heat reaching
38° C workers used various tools like
steam shovels dynamite and rock drills
to remove vast amounts of rock and soil
bringing the excavation floor closer to
sea level after during numerous
challenges and tragedies the Panama
Canal opened for traffic on August 15
1914 the Canal’s unique operation
involves a series of locks and Gates
that raise and lower ships along its 26
M stretch ships enter the locks and
water is pumped in or out to adjust
their levels allowing them to Traverse
the Canal’s elevation changes notably
using Lake Gaton as a key feature in
this engineering Marvel however the
Canal’s operation relies heavily on
fresh water from nearby reservoirs
primarily Lake Alajuela and Lake Gaton
each Transit through the canal consumes
a substantial amount of fresh water
replenished by rainfall during droughts
the canal faces challenges as water
levels in the reservoirs decrease
highlighting the delicate balance
between its functioning and
environmental factors you see the Panama
Canal stands out as one of the most
remarkable engineering Marvels in
history in 1970 alone it hosted over
15,000 transits showcasing its pivotal
role in global trade the Canal’s traffic
acts as a barometer for the world
economy surging in times of growth and
declining during recessions just 86
ships used it during tough Financial
periods notably the route connecting
East Asia to the US East Coast dominates
Canal traffic faing various Goods like
coal wheat and
Vehicles this link is crucial for both
coasts connectivity to different
continents strategically the canal is
vital for the US Navy enabling Swift
redeployment between the Pacific and
Atlantic during
crises originally owned by the us until
1979 when it transitioned to Joint
control with Panama until 2000 the canal
proved invaluable aiding in critical
moments like the Cuban Missile Crisis
and wars in Asia today although the US
doesn’t own it the canal remains pivotal
potentially saving 18 crucial days in
Naval operations between the US east
coast and the Pacific during
conflicts however the Canal’s importance
extends Beyond military Realms it’s a
Cornerstone of Panama’s economy and
global trade but its waiter consumption
roly 52 million gallons per Transit
poses challenges balancing kennel needs
with water supply for Panama 4.3 million
residents highlights a complex dilemma
for the government impacting both
economic and environmental aspects known
for its abundant rainfall Panama has
historically experienced heavy
precipitation around the canal and
nearby Lakes however in
2023 gatun Lake faced a significant drop
in water levels due to two main factors
firstly there was a decrease in overall
rainfall leading to below average levels
secondly the elnino weather phenomenon
played a role elnino a recurring Oceanic
and climatic event that occurs every 2
to 7 years in the Central and East
Central Pacific Ocean brings warmer
ocean temperatures this disrupts the
usual air circulation patterns weakening
the trade winds that typically bring
heavy rains to Panama and other tropical
regions essentially during El Nino warm
water is pushed towards America’s West
Coast preventing the usual upwelling of
Colder Waters this disruption in
atmospheric circulation patterns
resulted in weakened or failed winds
carrying rains into Panama a trend that
started in
2023 the recent El Nino has been
unusually severe compared to what’s
usually expected in October 2023 Panama
experienced a 41% drop in rainfall the
lowest ever recorded since the 1950s
when records began interestingly October
is typically the rainiest month in
Panama 2023 is rainy season was a
disappointment marking the second lowest
rainfall in Panama’s history the Panama
Canal constructed over a century ago
didn’t anticipate such a drastic
decrease in rainfall given the limited
understanding of climate change back
then as a result the canal which relases
on La of water for operation is facing
unprecedented
challenges the lakas water levels have
dropped dangerously low about 3 M below
usual levels amidst Panama’s ongoing dry
season the uncertainty of when the next
rainy season will arrive adds to the
concerns elnino events usually span 9 to
12 months but due to worsening climate
change impacts they can extend beyond
that even lasting for years current
speculations suggest a 60% chance that
this El Nino will persist longer
disrupting Panama’s upcoming rainy
season and further straining the
country’s efforts to replenish its Lakes
this situation directly affects the
Panama Canal which relies on these Lakes
for water with ongoing water scarcity
the canal faces the risk of drying up
presenting a significant challenge not
just for Panama but for global trade as
well the recent water scarcity impacting
the Panama Canal has brought attention
to the complex connections within Earth
Systems while the main issue stems from
low rainfall scientists have pinpointed
an unexpected Factor making it worse
deforestation in the Amazon
rainforest despite being far away the
Amazon’s lushness significantly
influences the Canal’s water levels this
happens through transpiration where
rainforests like the Amazon release
massive amounts of water vapor into the
air this Vapor then condenses to form
clouds and eventually returns as rain
creating a self-sustaining cycle because
of its vastness the Amazon is often
called Earth’s natural air conditioner
as it shapes local rain patterns in
global climate however deforestation
disrupts this delicate balance when
trees are cut they can’t release water
vapor reducing rainfall overall if
deorion continues the
rainforest May reach a critical point
where it can’t produce enough rain to
sustain itself leading to a collapse
Trigg Ed by deforestation this dangerous
Trend sets off a chain reaction
increasing carbon release and decreasing
rainfall
further the situation in the Amazon is
more alarming than initially thought
highlighting the urgent need for
conservation efforts recent evidence
suggests that certain areas within the
Amazon are now emitting more carbon
dioxide than they can absorb creating a
troubling imbalance in the
ecosystem this imbalance sets off a
harmful cycle where we can trees are
more susceptible to dying due to
inadequate moisture reducing the
rainforests ability to generate rainfall
as the rainforest weakens the likelihood
of enduring and severe droughts
increases as witnessed in the notable
drought of
2023 this not only affects the Amazon
itself but also disrupts local and
Regional rain Cycles the repercussions
extend beyond the immediate vicinity
potentially leading to drier climates
thousands of miles away to both the
North and South of the rainforest the
ramifications of deforestation are
particularly poignant in Panama where
these impacts are keenly felt the loss
of trees not only Alters local weather
patterns but also contributes to global
climate shifts addressing deforestation
requires concerted efforts on multiple
fronts from sustainable land use
practices to conservation initiatives
only through Collective action can we
hope to mitigate the damage preserve the
delicate balance of our planet’s
ecosystems the drought affecting the
canal has led to several significant
impacts the Panama Canal Authority
tasked with managing the Waterway faced
a tough choice due to the water shortage
as a result they had to impose
restrictions on the number of ships
allowed to pass through the canal under
normal
circumstances this mean that only around
20 ships could neati the canal daily a
sharp decrease from the usual flow of up
to 36 ships per day this sudden
challenge created a dilemma for shipping
companies they now had to navigate
difficult decisions each option carrying
its own drawbacks one option was for
ships to remain anchored incurring
substantial expenses while waiting for
an available slot to Traverse the canal
this waiting period could stretch on for
weeks cutting into their profits
significantly for businesses willing to
pay a premium there was the option of
bypassing the queue by paying a hefty
search fee of $4
million this would expedite their
Passage through the canal but the high
cost made it unfeasible for many
companies faced with these limitations
numerous businesses opted to avoid the
canal altogether instead they took
longer routes around South America
passing through either the straight of
mellin or rounding Cape Horn while this
circumvented the weight times and
potential fees associated with the canal
it came with its own set of challenges
including extended travel times lasting
several days or even
weeks water shortages in the Panama
Canal have become a Hot Topic following
recent pirate attacks on ships traveling
through the Red Sea which is a crucial
trade route these attacks have scared
off many businesses from using the Suez
Canal leading to a domino effect of
disruptions in global
Shipping this situation is putting
immense pressure on the smooth flow of
goods worldwide po potentially causing
delays and hiccups in deliveries the
Ripple effects of disrupted trade can be
serious causing prices to rise and
making it tough for governments to
control inflation Traders affected by
the water scarcity not only worry about
their finances but also about the
increased risk of accidents in the
congested Canal entrances with more
ships queuing up there’s a higher chance
of collisions as vessels wait for days
at anchor due to the growing
congestion various Solutions have been
proposed to tackle the water scarcity
issue in the Panama Canal some suggest
pumping seawater into gatun Lake the
Canal’s primary water source but this
could be disastrous for Panama’s water
security as the lake provides drinking
water re-rooting rivers to supply the
canal is another idea but it raises
environmental concerns and could harm
ecosystems and Indigenous communities
along these waterways dealing with the
water scarcity problem isn’t just about
local Solutions
experts highlight the need to address
the root cause climate change and
deforestation in the Amazon
rainforest taking a comprehensive
approach that tackles these larger
issues is crucial for long-term
sustainability and the preservation of
vital waterways like the Panama Canal
there’s no doubt that cutting down trees
in the Amazon rainforest contributes
significantly to climate change which in
turn leads to water scarcity problems
affecting the Panama Canal
however some South American countries
with parts of the Amazon rainforest are
taking steps to reduce
deforestation these nations can learn
from each other’s successful strategies
and tactics in combating
deforestation many experts believe that
the United States should play a more
active role in fighting Amazon defor
station because it has a vested interest
in maintaining the functionality of the
Panama Canal given that over half of
Panama’s population release on the same
water sources that keep the canal
operational the water shortage has put
Panama’s leaders in a difficult position
as they try to meet the needs of their
people while also ensuring the Canal’s
smooth
operation to address this challenge the
Canal’s governing body has proposed
building a new reservoir on the India
River this Reservoir aims to improve
water supply and facilitate Canal
traffic which is crucial for Panama’s
economy contributing more than 6% to the
nation’s
GDP the plan envisions that the expanded
Reservoir could accommodate 12 to 15
ships passing through the canal daily
however this initiative faces several
obstacles the estimated cost of
constructing the reservoir is around
$900
million a
substantial Financial commitment for
Panama moreover the time lineer for
completion is uncertain considering past
delays and Financial disputes
encountered during previous Canal
expansion
projects Additionally the construction
process raises environmental concerns
that must be carefully evaluated these
include potential impacts on local
ecosystems such as plant and animal life
River Dynamics and water quality
balancing Economic Development with
Environmental Conservation remains a
critical challenge in addressing
Panama’s Water Crisis and ensuring the
sustainable oper op ation of the Panama
Canal the plan also involves buying
protected land and potentially
displacing nearby communities this
raises ethical concerns about minimizing
social and economic disruption while
ensuring affected parties receive fair
compensation and relocation assistance
therefore while the suggested Reservoir
presents a possible solution it’s
crucial to weigh the economic benefits
against potential environmental and
social costs the Panama Canal’s future
and the well-being of panamanians rely
on a solution that considers social
environmental and economic
responsibilities the Panama Canal’s
future is currently uncertain with the
possibility of significant consequences
if it fails given the Canal’s importance
to global Military and economic
interests Panama has the authority to
set varying fees for ships passing
through in 2022 when the canal operated
smoothly it generated an impressive
impressive $ 4.32 billion in revenue for
Panama accounting for over
65% of the country’s GDP because Panama
essentially controls this critical point
it’s no surprise that the region along
the canal is densely populated the
Canal’s presence has greatly contributed
to Panama’s status as one of Latin
America’s wealthiest and most developed
countries without the canal both Panama
and the global economy including the
Strategic interests of the United States
would face serious challenges
unfortunately the canal began
deteriorating in 2023 and continues to
do so in
2024 casting doubt on its
future finding a sustainable solution is
Paramount to ensuring the Canal’s
continued operation and the prosperity
of Panama and its people thank you for
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[Music]

The Panama Canal, a vital route for billions of dollars in trade to the United States has surprisingly dried up. As vessels queue in desperation, the cause of this calamity and its implications are dire, raising alarms among scientists and economists alike. But, what’s behind this unprecedented gridlock on one of the world’s busiest maritime highways? And why are experts sounding alarm bells?

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