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The MERCLIMA project trains local and Indigenous communities to reduce mercury use and promote sustainable practices
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Training activities are currently taking place in Peru, with workshops on environmental monitoring, mercury pollution, and ecosystem restoration
Local communities and scientific members attending the MERCLIMA project training courses. | Sergi Díez
The MERCLIMA project (Impacts of artisanal gold mining on climate change: prevention and remediation in the Amazon) aims to mitigate the environmental and social impacts derived from artisanal and small-scale gold mining.
Funded by the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) (LINCG23030) and coordinated by Sergi Díez, researcher at the Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), the project brings together scientific teams from Peru, Brazil, Colombia, and the United States to reduce mercury use, limit deforestation, and promote sustainable practices across the Amazon region.
“We want to strengthen the capacity of Amazonian communities to monitor the state of their rivers and soils, reduce their exposure to mercury, and demonstrate that viable and sustainable economic alternatives do exist,” says Sergi Díez, project coordinator and IDAEA-CSIC researcher.
Training and local cooperation
This week, training workshops are being held in Iquitos (Peru) aimed at Indigenous communities in the Loreto region. These sessions focus on environmental monitoring and the assessment of the impacts of gold mining on their territories.
In addition, a preparatory workshop was organised on mercury pollution in the Nanay and Putumayo rivers, with the participation of lecturers from the National University of the Peruvian Amazon (UNAP).
Attendees at the training course in Iquitos (Peru). | Sergi Díez
The workshops aim to strengthen local capacity for environmental surveillance, promote alternatives to mercury use, foster sustainable agriculture, and apply phytoremediation techniques to restore degraded ecosystems.
International scientific cooperation
MERCLIMA also strengthens the MercuRed network, coordinated by CSIC and funded by CYTED, which focuses on the study and management of mercury across Ibero-America. Through this network, the project promotes scientific and technical cooperation between Latin American and European institutions, fostering a comprehensive approach to the environmental challenges faced by the Amazon.
“The impact of artisanal mining goes far beyond the environment. Tt affects people’s health and the sustainability of entire communities. Scientific cooperation is key to delivering real, locally adapted solutions,” adds Díez.
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