Week 3: El Salvador

This week we're in El Salvador, famous as the home of Oscar Romero. We'll be taking a close look at the climate uncertainties faced by people there everyday. We'll explore the unpredictability of climate change, including last year's droughts and what happened after Hurricane Agatha

We'll also be looking at the work of Progressio's development workers to support local communities as they plan for the future as well as how one group of young people have been spreading an envionmental message. Read on!

Drought and doubt on the milpa
Development worker Maggie Von Vogt finds out from small-scale farmers in Jucuarán what it's like when drought strikes, as it does with increased regularity and severity. As one farmer puts it, "it's god's will.  He goes along punishing us bit by bit." More.

Beyond climate change?
And Maggie meets Progressio development worker Marcos Cerra Becerra and some local people in San Francisco Menéndez whose livelihoods were devastated by Hurricane Agatha. Marcos works with them to reduce their vulnerability to the collection of factors that, in addition to climate change, locks them into poverty. More.

The feathered serpent and the environment
We catch up with Quetzalcoatl Youth, a project in Nueve Granada which supports young people to become environmental media champions. Francisco, Dinora and Silvia introduce us to their patch and what they're doing to change people's attitudes to environmental issues. More.

Protesting climate change
In advance of the UN talks, we bring you a slideshow of pictures exploring the mass movement in El Salvador demanding action in Cancun. More.

Alexander Martínez, 25, farms in El Corazal, Usulután, using organic sustainable practices. He is standing by a crop of lemongrass which prevents soil erosion, October 2010. Photo: UNES/ Progressio