When I visited Panama last spring, there was about a thirty foot space separating the garbage from the water's edge: apparently, according to the local newspaper, now garbage is filling in right to the edge of the beach. It is gross and disgusting. I tried writing a letter to Panamanian authorities and received no response. I can tell you what my response is going to be now: make sure that as many people as possible know about this tragedy of the commons.Here is what the local newspaper had to say:"Surfers do not surf Dumpers anymore. They haven’t for almost six months. The few who dared left the water with skin, eye and ear infections and coughs lasting for weeks. The "black" garbage that has been oozing from the dump is now a small creek which flows into the ocean, right into Outer Dumpers. When it rains, the flow is much bigger, and the current slowly but surely takes everything south, affecting other surf spots down the coast. On Sept. 29, a large group of us surfers marched through town with our surfboards, banners and posters, asking that someone give us an explanation and an agreeable solution. We went unanswered. More than a month has passed since the few surfers who cared about their waves marched … and nothing is different. The only change is that now the trash is burning along the entire stretch at Dumpers, in an area three times larger than it was last month. Trees were cut down to accommodate the ever-growing hills of trash, and daily more garbage falls into the sea. The surf spot known as Dumpers is no more. Recently, surfers at another good surf spot farther down the coast began complaining of ear, eye and skin irritations. They shed their rash guards only to reveal ugly red rashes … caused by the water. Paunch."
Here are my photos from last spring.
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