Climate change and pollution from drainage in indigenous territories: the case of Yahualica, Hidalgo

Abstract

In this work, two issues related to the environment are addressed: climate change and inadequate sanitation of wastewater. Both problems are analyzed in rural and indigenous contexts of the Hidalgo Huasteca, where socioeconomic and cultural effects have a particular impact since they are communities in conditions of marginalization. Even though these issues are part of national and international agendas from which policies have emerged to address them, we find that in these contexts, the implementation of actions is minimal and exclusive. The empirical information presented here has been collected from the perception and experience of the inhabitants of the municipality of Yahualica, Hidalgo, with whom Participatory Action Research was carried out through interviews, a participatory workshop, and a field tour. Therefore, not only are the issues addressed from the critical point of view of the academy, but a concrete reality presented by the subjects is also evident. As a result, a first diagnosis was obtained about the problems the inhabitants have observed over the last three decades and the concerns and limitations to address and mitigate the effects of climate change and water pollution in their region. All this leads us to consider the need for coordinated work between the population, government, academic, and civil bodies to propose efficient strategies and actions in the face of these socio-environmental conditions.