Welcome to the weekly world briefing, a midweek feature that helps you stay up to date on issues worldwide and how they affect travelers. Is there something you think should be added to the next briefing? Tell us on Twitter.
Across the world…
Airlines are not doing enough to diminish their effects on climate change, according to a report by the London School of Economics. But some airlines are better than others. Of the twenty largest publicly traded airlines, only EasyJet is in line to meet standards set by the Paris Climate Accord. EasyJet received high marks for its efficient fleet and its tendency to fill every seat. By 2020, EasyJet’s aircraft are expected to emit 75g of CO2 per passenger km. To compare, Korean Air’s aircraft are expected to emit 172g.
Delta and Lufthansa also performed well while Southwest and American Airlines are lagging behind.
No airlines had clear plans to reduce their emissions enough to avoid the worst effects of climate change. Throughout the world, politicians are suggesting other solutions. In Sweden, an investigator is proposing using biofuels. In the United States, the proposed lofty “Green New Deal” includes heavy investment in high speed railways.
Our Take: Airline travel accounts for 2% of global CO2 emissions. As travelers, it is our responsibility to reduce that number. Choose companies that are doing more to reduce their emissions. You can find the entire report here to help guide your decision-making process. Choose modern, efficient airplanes if possible. Take trains or buses for shorter trips.
In Saudi Arabia…
Saudi Arabia is investigating a group of women’s rights activists and will soon put them on trial. The activists were arrested last spring for efforts to “undermine the security and stability of the kingdom,” though they have yet to face formal charges. According to their families and others, the activists have been tortured, something the government denies.
The activists, a group of both women and men, supported women’s rights through a range of activities, from campaigning to opening a shelter for abused women. Seventeen people were arrested shortly before Saudi Arabia lifted a ban on women driving. Eight were granted temporary release and nine are still being held.
Alia al-Hathloul, the sister of one of the detainees, wrote this moving piece for the New York Times.
In Dakar, Senegal…
Runners, wrestlers, and weightlifters contribute to a bustling metropolis. Every day, the city’s beaches and parks provide a playground for a highly active community. But pollution is threatening this way of life. And the problem may be getting worse.
Now a city of five million, Dakar has nearly doubled in size in the last ten years. Many of the cars on the road are old and produce thick, black smoke. Dust storms exacerbate the issue. Air quality monitoring stations set up by the government reported a decline in “very bad” air quality days between 2013 and 2017, but the number of “bad” days increased over the same period. Nafissatou Oumar Toure Badiane, the chief of pulmonology at Fann University Hospital in Dakar, estimates that a third of the population has some kind of lung ailment.
Beginning in the 1970’s, chronic drought began pushing Senegalese herders and farmers into the city. Now, the city is struggling to manage its increased inhabitants, and rural Senegalese herders are forced to deal with worsening effects of climate change. In 2018, six million people in the Sahel faced severe food shortages during the dry season. A changing climate is causing migrant herders to trek farther in worse conditions to find vegetation during the dry season. Like in many places, climate change disproportionately hurts women.
Though climate conditions are tough, Senegal is booming. The West African nation has enjoyed economic growth of six percent per year for the last several years. The terrorism that has plagued neighboring Mali has not made its way west. President Macky Sall was just elected to a second term in a largely free and fair election. Still, climate-related issues continue to pose threats to the country.
Our Take: Senegal is one of the safest countries in Africa to visit. It’s never had a coup or a civil war, and now that elections are over, it looks like the future remains stable. Visit the beautiful beaches (with some of the world’s most consistent waves), try local fish and curries, take in the art and other museums in Dakar, and spend some time traveling along the coast. But before you go, take some time to learn more about how climate change is affecting livelihoods, and what is being done to help. The World Bank’s International Development Association is doing some interesting work.
In Venezuela…
Opposition leader Juan Guaidó returned to Venezuela on Monday after spending nine days visiting regional allies. Supporters welcomed Guaidó’s return with a large rally in Caracas. The self-proclaimed interim president initially left his home country on Feb. 23 to coordinate the attempted delivery of humanitarian aid across the Colombian and Brazilian borders. Though a court-order prohibited Guaidó from leaving the country, he was not arrested upon his return.
Over 50 countries including the United States recognize Guaidó as Venezuela’s interim president, but Nicolás Maduro is still holding onto power with the backing of the military. On Tuesday, Maduro called the opposition a “crazed minority.” “We are going to defeat them, be absolutely sure,” he said.
Since successfully refusing aid packages in late-February, Maduro’s government seemed to be regaining power, but Guaidós return may motivate the opposition once again. Maduro called the aid packages “poisonous,” and directed authorities to refuse them. Clashes between authorities and Guaidó supporters left seven dead.
It is unclear where the opposition movement goes from here. Guaidó has insisted that he wants a peaceful transition of power, but Venezuela’s military continues to back Maduro. The United States and other countries are considering intensifying sanctions against Venezuela, but Maduro is a seasoned leader who has dealt with sanctions throughout his tenure.
Venezuela’s economy spiraled largely due to a dip in oil prices in the last year. Hyperinflation and food shortages have caused many Venezuelans to emigrate or push for a new leader.
Our Take: We’ve talked before about how now is not the best time to visit Venezuela. But, that doesn’t mean you should stay away from the region. Visit Colombia or Brazil (though it’s best to stay away from the Venezuela border) and you could actually be helping the crisis in Venezuela. Colombia has welcomed millions of Venezuelan migrants, and tourism dollars help them continue.
