In The Community
The "Mother Seeds in Resistance" Project: A Stand Against GMO Contamination
Photo by Eric Prouzet on UnsplashAt the forefront of this battle is the "Mother Seeds in Resistance" initiative, led by the Zapatistas in Chiapas. This grassroots project, in collaboration with Schools for Chiapas, seeks to safeguard the genetic purity of native corn by distributing GMO-free Zapatista maize across Mexico and beyond. By creating a living seed library, they’re preserving the legacy of ancestral maize varieties and ensuring their survival for future generations.
Mexico is home to over 59 unique corn varieties, making it the world’s most genetically diverse repository of maize. However, the introduction of genetically modified (GM) corn has put this biodiversity at risk. Cross-pollination between GM crops and native maize can irreversibly alter traditional strains, leading to potential losses in genetic adaptability, taste, and nutritional value. Indigenous farmers perceive this not just as an agricultural issue, but also as an existential threat to their way of life.
Mexico: Defending Corn from Corporate Interests
Adam Jones from Kelowna, BC, Canada, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
In a landmark ruling made in 2021, the Mexican Supreme Court upheld a ban on GM corn, reinforcing the country’s stance against transgenic contamination. This decision was a major victory for food sovereignty activists and Indigenous communities because it protects traditional farming methods from corporate agricultural dominance.
The ruling also affirmed the government’s precautionary measure to restrict permits for GMO corn, a measure first introduced in 2013 and challenged by agribusiness giants like Bayer-Monsanto and Syngenta. This legal triumph represented a broader defense of Indigenous knowledge and autonomy. Farmers who have cultivated maize for generations argue that their ancestral seeds are better suited to local climates and that corporate control over agriculture threatens their right to self-determination.
More recently in 2025, the Mexican Chamber of Deputies approved a constitutional reform aimed at banning the cultivation of genetically modified (GMO) corn in Mexico in February. This initiative, sponsored by President Claudia Sheinbaum, was officially approved by the Mexican Senate on March 6, 2025, with a vote of 97 in favor and 16 opposing. Now, the reform must be ratified by state legislatures and implemented effectively to achieve its goals of protecting Mexico's biodiversity and cultural heritage.
Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada took a significant step towards preserving the city's agricultural heritage by issuing a decree that prohibits the production of GM corn within the city limits. During a ceremony in the Tlalpan municipality, Brugada emphasized her administration's commitment to aligning with the federal government's stance, stating, "We stand in solidarity with our President in rejecting the cultivation of genetically modified corn in Mexico City."U.S.-Mexico Trade Dispute: The Battle Over Corn Imports
Photo by Lynn Danielson on UnsplashMexico’s efforts to phase out GM corn imports from the U.S. have ignited a fierce trade dispute. The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) has become a battleground, with American agribusinesses arguing that Mexico’s ban lacks scientific backing. The U.S., which exports billions of dollars in corn annually—nearly 30% of its corn exports go to Mexico—has formally challenged the decision, citing economic losses and trade violations.
However, Mexico insists that protecting native corn isn’t just about economics but also about preserving culture, biodiversity, and public health. Government officials argue that modified crops and the widespread use of pesticides like glyphosate pose health risks that haven’t been adequately studied and they plan to ban it.
Cultural Significance: Why Corn Matters to Mexico
Aleteia Image Department, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The phrase “Sin maíz, no hay país” (Without corn, there is no country) encapsulates the deep cultural significance of maize in Mexico and it’s the name of a national campaign fighting for native corn since 2007. Beyond its dietary staple status (it’s essential for traditional dishes like tortillas, tamales, and atole), corn is embedded in Mesoamerican mythology, Indigenous traditions, and communal farming systems like the milpa, an ancient agricultural method that integrates corn with beans and squash for sustainable cultivation. The growing cycle of corn even influences the timing of festivals, which connects events like the Corn Fair in Jala, Nayarit, and National Corn Day celebrated on September 29th, exemplifying that deeper cultural bond.
Unlike industrialized farming in the U.S., where a few genetically uniform corn varieties dominate the market, Mexico’s traditional farming methods preserve genetic diversity. These diverse maize strains hold invaluable genetic traits—such as drought resistance and pest tolerance—that are crucial in the face of climate change.
Indigenous Resistance: A Model for Food Sovereignty
Favianna Rodriguez via Instagram
The efforts of the Zapatistas and other Indigenous groups serve as an example of what can be accomplished in the movement for food sovereignty, which advocates for the rights of communities to control their own food systems. The "Mother Seeds in Resistance" project is about resisting corporate control of food production, empowering local farmers, and reinforcing traditional knowledge systems that have sustained Indigenous peoples for centuries. By rejecting corporate patents on seeds and prioritizing native crops, these activists are demonstrating that food sovereignty is a crucial pillar of cultural preservation and environmental sustainability.
The Future of Native Corn
Photo by Brian Wegman 🎃 on UnsplashAs debates over GMOs, trade policies, and food sovereignty continue, the fate of native Mexican corn remains uncertain. While legal victories and grassroots movements provide hope, the pressure from agribusiness giants and international trade agreements poses ongoing challenges.
For advocates of Indigenous food traditions, the solution lies in continued resistance, education, and international solidarity. For these people, protecting native maize is about farming as much as it is about preserving a way of life, a history, and an identity that stretches back millennia. The question remains: Will the fight for corn’s survival also ensure the survival of cultural heritage?
Artistic rendering, not an actual photograph
While human migration has long been a topic of debate along the southern border, especially in recent times due to the flurry of immigration executive orders, the border wall has also created an unexpected barrier for wildlife. The construction of the wall and its surrounding infrastructure has altered ecosystems, affecting species that rely on transboundary movement.
Monarchs may not face a direct physical blockade, but their migratory pathways are increasingly threatened by the loss of milkweed and other essential habitats. Just as political policies shape human migration, environmental disruptions are redefining the monarchs’ journey.
The Science Behind Monarch Migration
Photo by Dennis Yu on UnsplashThe monarch butterfly’s migration is a multi-generational process. Each year, the butterflies that overwinter in Mexico begin their northward journey in late February or early March. The first generation travels only as far as Texas and Oklahoma, where they lay eggs on milkweed plants because their primary role is to reproduce. The next generation hatches, matures, and continues the migration northward, with successive generations reaching as far as southern Canada.
By late summer, the final generation reverses course, making the extraordinary, single-generation journey back to Mexico, where they cluster in oyamel fir forests for the winter. Unlike the multi-generational northward journey, this last generation of monarchs migrates back to Mexico alone between August and October. They arrive in Mexico around November and stay there until March when the cycle starts again.
Monarchs navigate using a time-compensated sun compass. This complex system allows them to adjust their flight patterns based on the sun’s position throughout the day. Monarchs are also sensitive to environmental cues like temperature, which helps regulate their migration cycles. Scientists have long warned that disruptions to these natural processes—whether from climate change, habitat loss, or human infrastructure—could put their survival at risk.
The Ecological Importance of Monarch Migration
Photo by Azaz Ahmad on UnsplashMonarch butterflies play a crucial role in North American ecosystems. As pollinators, they contribute to the reproduction of wildflowers and crops, supporting agricultural production. Approximately 35% of the world’s food crops depend on pollinators like monarchs to produce, and the forests where monarchs overwinter provide ecological benefits like improved water quality and maintaining biodiversity.
Their migration is also full of cultural and symbolic meaning, particularly in Mexico and Latino communities across the U.S. The monarch’s annual arrival in Mexico coincides with Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) where Latino families see them as spiritual messengers carrying the souls of the departed.
The Border Wall and Its Impact on Monarchs
Photo by Greg Bulla on UnsplashThe U.S.-Mexico border wall, which has been built in segments over the last several decades and expanded significantly between 2017 and 2021 during President-Elect Donald Trump’s first term, was designed to curb unauthorized human migration. However, it has also had ecological consequences, disrupting the habitats of many species that migrate between the two countries.
For monarch butterflies, the wall itself is not a direct obstacle—they can fly over it. However, the destruction of milkweed and nectar-rich plants along the border poses a significant threat. Monarchs lay their eggs exclusively on milkweed, making it essential for their reproduction. Habitat loss in critical areas like Texas, Arizona, and northern Mexico—where the first generation of monarchs emerges each spring—can disrupt the entire migration cycle.
The construction of the wall has also led to widespread deforestation and habitat fragmentation, affecting not only monarchs but also other migratory species such as the jaguar, ocelot, and Mexican gray wolf. The clearing of land, installation of bright lights, and increased vehicle traffic along the border further alter the natural environment, making survival more difficult for a wide range of species.
The Ecological Consequences of Disrupting Monarch Migration
Photo by giovanni cordioli on UnsplashScientists warn that disruptions to monarch migration could have cascading effects on ecosystems. In 2022, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) listed monarch butterflies as endangered due to habitat destruction and climate change. Monarch decline would reduce pollination, which could impact plant populations and the broader food web. If milkweed continues to disappear, monarch populations could struggle to sustain themselves, leading to a further risk of population decline.
The border wall has also exacerbated climate-related challenges in the region. By altering natural water flows and increasing soil erosion, the wall contributes to desertification, which makes it harder for milkweed and other native plants to thrive. These environmental changes threaten the biodiversity of the borderlands, making it difficult for wildlife—including monarchs—to adapt.
Conservation Efforts and the Future of Monarchs
Photo by Alex Guillaume on UnsplashDespite these challenges, there is some good news for monarch butterflies. In 2025, the eastern monarch population nearly doubled, demonstrating that conservation efforts can be effective. The population of monarchs wintering in Mexico occupied 4.42 acres, an increase from the 2.22 acres they occupied the previous winter. Scientists and activists are working to protect monarch habitats by planting milkweed, restoring grasslands, and reducing pesticide use.
Organizations in the U.S. and Mexico are advocating for transboundary conservation initiatives to ensure that monarchs can continue migrating without further disruptions. These efforts include designating protected corridors, planting pollinator-friendly vegetation along highways and farmlands, and raising awareness about the importance of monarch conservation.
Even so, addressing the ecological impact of the border wall will require ongoing collaboration. Scientists have urged policymakers to incorporate wildlife-friendly designs into border infrastructure, such as wildlife corridors or modified fencing that allows small animals to pass through. While some areas along the border remain protected, the fragmentation caused by the wall underscores the need for comprehensive conservation strategies that consider both human and wildlife migration.
Conclusion: The Resilience of Migration
a group of monarch butterflies on a treePhoto by Erika Löwe on UnsplashAs monarch butterflies prepare for their March 2025 migration, their journey is often perceived as a symbol of resilience. Despite the obstacles they face, monarchs continue their ancient cycle, adapt to changing environments, and navigate long distances to sustain future generations.
Migration—whether for butterflies or people—is a natural and essential process. Just as monarchs rely on open pathways to survive, human migration has shaped the cultural and economic landscapes of the U.S. and Mexico for centuries. As scientists and conservationists work to preserve monarch habitats, the broader discussion about how borders impact both wildlife and people remains an important issue.
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Rising Global Temperatures
Photo by Mehdi MeSSrro on UnsplashIn 2015, scientists warned that global temperatures would continue to rise due to increasing greenhouse gas emissions. The average temperature across global land and ocean surfaces was 1.62°F (0.90°C) above the 20th-century average, making 2015 the warmest year on record at the time and setting a worrying precedent. Over the past decade, those predictions have largely materialized.
According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the global surface temperature was 1.09°C higher in the decade between 2011-2020 compared to the period between 1850-1900. By 2023, the global mean surface air temperature had risen 1.43°C above pre-industrial levels according to some estimates, briefly exceeding the critical 1.5°C threshold.
January 2025 was the warmest January on record, with temperatures 1.75°C higher than the late 19th-century average, surpassing previous records. This trend is expected to continue, with 2025 likely to be one of the top three warmest years globally. Scientists warn that sustained warming above the 1.5°C threshold will bring irreversible environmental and socio-economic consequences.
Arctic Ice Decline
Photo by Annie Spratt on UnsplashIn 2015, projections also indicated a sharp decline in Arctic sea ice due to rising global temperatures. Recent observations confirm this trend. The IPCC's Sixth Assessment Report suggests that the Arctic is likely to be practically ice-free in September at least once before 2050 under intermediate and high greenhouse gas emissions scenarios. However, some studies project this could happen earlier, potentially by the 2030s. Satellite imagery and climate monitoring data have also revealed drastic reductions in Arctic ice cover, further reinforcing the dire warnings issued a decade ago.
Increased Frequency and Intensity of Extreme Weather Events
Photo by redcharlie on UnsplashA decade ago, a consensus among several climate models and assessments, including those from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and other research institutions, predicted a surge in extreme weather events, including heatwaves, droughts, hurricanes, and floods. This has become a stark reality. The IPCC reports that hot extremes have become significantly more frequent and severe, while cold events have diminished.
Countries across the globe have experienced record-breaking heatwaves, devastating droughts, and unprecedented flooding, reinforcing the assessment that climate change is accelerating faster than previously expected. 2024 was marked by severe heatwaves around the world, with climate change contributing to an additional 41 days of dangerous heat on average.
The Amazon Basin experienced severe droughts, leading to significant wildfires and disruptions in ecosystems. There were also record-breaking floods in 2024 in regions like Europe, Asia, and Brazil. Hurricanes like Helene and Milton in the U.S. were also intensified by warmer ocean temperatures. In 2025, the World Meteorological Organization warns that record-breaking heat is likely to continue. The frequency and intensity of hurricanes, typhoons, and cyclones is also likely to increase.
Irreversible Climate Changes
Photo by Hans Hamann on Unsplash10 years ago, scientists cautioned that certain climate changes would become irreversible on timescales of centuries to millennia. This has proven true with the continued melting of glaciers and the warming of oceans. Even if emissions were drastically reduced today, some effects, such as the melting of the Greenland ice sheet and the acidification of oceans, are expected to continue well beyond the 21st century.
Sea Level Rise and Coastal Flooding
Photo by Jonathan Ford on UnsplashOne of the most widely accepted climate predictions involved rising sea levels due to melting ice caps and thermal expansion. Over the past ten years, sea levels have steadily risen, increasing coastal flooding risks. From 1993 to 2024, global sea levels increased by 111 mm, with the rate of rise more than doubling over the past three decades, from 2.1 mm/year to 4.5 mm/year.
The IPCC Sixth Assessment Report suggests that under the highest emission scenario (SSP5-8.5), sea level rise could reach up to 1.6 meters (about 5.25 feet) by 2100, but this includes low-confidence, high-impact processes like marine ice sheet instability (a process where marine ice sheets, which are grounded below sea level, become unstable due to warming). More typical projections suggest that the sea level could rise from about 0.65 to 1.01 meters (2.1 to 3.3 feet) under the SSP5-8.5 scenario.
Sea level rise has already led to more frequent flooding in coastal areas, with some cities already experiencing annual extreme sea level events. Low-lying regions, particularly in Southeast Asia and island nations, are among the most vulnerable, facing increasing displacement threats.
Need for Emissions Reduction
Photo by Marcin Jozwiak on UnsplashA decade ago, climate experts stressed the urgency of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to keep global temperature rise below 2°C, with an ideal target of 1.5°C. However, global emissions have not declined at the necessary rate. Instead, the gap between emission levels and climate targets has widened, making it increasingly difficult to achieve the goals set under the Paris Agreement.
The 2021 IPCC report labeled the situation as a "code red for humanity," emphasizing the need for immediate, widespread emissions reductions. In 2023, global temperatures had reached 1.43°C above pre-industrial levels, and 2024 became the first full year above the 1.5°C mark.
Extended Wildfire Seasons
Photo by Mike Newbry on UnsplashClimate models also anticipated that rising temperatures and drier conditions would extend and intensify wildfire seasons. In the past decade, wildfire seasons have become significantly longer, particularly in the western United States, Australia, and parts of Europe. Climate change has contributed to doubling the area of forest burned in recent decades, and projections indicate that wildfires will continue to increase in frequency and intensity by 2050. The number of wildfires is forecast to rise by up to 30% by 2050 and by 50% by the end of the century.
The financial and human costs of wildfires have escalated, with record-breaking damage seen in multiple regions. Recent examples include the devastating economic impacts of wildfires in regions like Los Angeles, which resulted in over 40,000 acres burned, more than 12,000 structures destroyed, and at least 24 fatalities reported, with total property losses estimated between $95 billion and $164 billion. The 2025 Los Angeles wildfires were among the most destructive in recent history, with insured losses potentially surpassing $20 billion, exceeding the $12.5 billion from the 2018 Camp Fire. The frequency and intensity of extreme wildfires have increased significantly, and climate change has played a crucial role in creating conditions conducive to these situations.
The Final Takeaway
Photo by Markus Spiske on UnsplashThe past ten years have proven the accuracy of most climate predictions made in 2015. The world is experiencing rising temperatures, worsening storms, longer wildfire seasons, and irreversible environmental changes. While climate scientists and policymakers continue to push for urgent action, the reality of 2025 highlights the challenges ahead.
Many of the climate impacts that were once hypothetical are now unfolding in real time. The need for immediate and sustained efforts to mitigate further damage has never been greater. As NASA stated, “Effects that scientists had long predicted would result from global climate change are now occurring, such as sea ice loss, accelerated sea level rise, and longer, more intense heat waves.” The evidence is clear: climate change is not a distant concern, but an immediate crisis that demands global attention.
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