Photo: thestar.com
"Climate Change Threatens Mexico's Iconic Cempasuchil Flower Ahead of Day of the Dead"
Climate change is jeopardizing the cultivation of cempasuchil flowers, vital for Day of the Dead celebrations in Mexico, as farmers in Mexico City face worsening drought conditions.
- Lucia Ortíz, a 50-year-old farmer near Mexico City, is among many struggling to cultivate Tagetes flowers due to increasing challenges posed by climate change.
- The iconic cempasuchil, or Mexican marigold, plays a crucial role in Day of the Dead festivities, transforming city streets and cemeteries across Mexico each November.
- Farmers report that persistent drought conditions, exacerbated by climate change, threaten the availability and quality of the Tagetes flower ahead of the upcoming celebrations.
Por Qué Es Relevante
The decline of cempasuchil flowers due to climate change highlights the broader environmental challenges facing agriculture in Mexico, impacting cultural traditions and local economies. This situation calls for urgent action to address climate-related threats to food security and cultural heritage.