Valeria Obregon Diaz and Catalina Cuervo Maldonado, both students in Clark University’s Master’s in Environmental Science and Policy program, recently completed research in Valle de Bravo, Mexico. Their findings reveal alarming issues with water quality and health care access in a region facing rising temperatures and heat-related illnesses.
Valle de Bravo attracts wealthy tourists, yet many locals struggle to access basic services like clean water. Cuervo Maldonado focused on water quality while Obregon Diaz studied the health impacts of climate change. Their shared passion for the project drove them to gather important data, even when the stories they heard were tough to bear.
Cuervo Maldonado studied the water provided to residents. Most of it comes from the Cutzamala System, which supplies 24% of Central Mexico’s water. She examined the effects of climate change, urban development, and land growth on water quality over the past two decades. “What I’m doing is controversial,” she noted. Many locals don’t trust the water from the reservoir, and they receive it just twice a week, often at inconvenient hours.
She analyzed data from various organizations and conducted tests on samples taken from twelve locations within the reservoir. The results were concerning, with the presence of harmful bacteria like E. coli, some of which are antibiotic-resistant. “It’s a public health concern,” she emphasized. Locals reported that they fish in the reservoir and eat what they catch, unaware of the contamination risks.
The situation is worsened by climate change. Cuervo Maldonado explained that increased temperatures and evaporation rates are intensifying the crisis. Droughts and extreme rainfall are also affecting water quality, while urban development further strains local resources.
Obregon Diaz’s research centered on how climate change impacts daily life in Valle de Bravo. Many wealthy people own second homes in the area, which has led to land clearing for new developments, often through intentional wildfires. Her surveys revealed that 96.7% of locals believe climate patterns have worsened in recent years, with 86.4% attributing these changes to human activities. However, only 34.6% knew the term “climate change,” highlighting a gap between lived experiences and formal education on the subject.
Access to health care is a major issue; 56% of survey respondents lacked health insurance. Long waits in hospitals were common, and many were unaware of their health problems. Serious health issues related to heat exposure and water-borne diseases were prevalent, with 79% reporting respiratory illness visits and 75% reporting heat-related illnesses.
Obregon Diaz pointed out that children made up almost half of acute illness cases, though they only represented 27% of their survey participants. Women were particularly affected by respiratory issues, likely tied to cooking methods involving firewood. Notably, 41.7% reported that climate change was affecting their mental health, leading to stress and irritability.
The duo plans to publish their findings in accessible formats to ensure the local community can use the data to advocate for change. They want their work to benefit the residents of Valle de Bravo, allowing them to address their challenges with the support of solid research.
As climate change continues to impact regions like Valle de Bravo, it is essential for the voices of the affected communities to be amplified. Understanding the local implications of broader environmental changes is vital for effective action. The studies conducted by Obregon Diaz and Cuervo Maldonado shine a light on the urgent need for accessible resources and support systems in vulnerable areas.
