Part 5/8:
Today, the Panama Canal is a critical trade route that underwent significant expansion between 2007 and 2016 to accommodate larger ships. However, its future is precarious due to environmental threats exacerbated by climate change. The operation of the canal relies heavily on freshwater sources, and fluctuating water levels, deforestation, and urban pressures threaten both its functionality and the surrounding ecosystems.
If the canal were to shut down, even temporarily, it could lead to dire economic consequences, impacting global supply chains just as the Suez Canal blockage did earlier this year. Such a scenario raises critical questions about the sustainability of global reliance on the canal for trade.