In The Community
Cities in areas outside of the solar eclipse’s path of totality will still be able to see a percentage of it, from 17 to 63 percent. For example, Southern Californians will see a partial solar eclipse of up to 57% the farther south they are. You can check how much of the solar eclipse you’ll be able to witness on the National Eclipse website.
Whether you catch a total or partial solar eclipse, always ensure safety first - never look directly at the sun! Make sure to follow established guidance for the safest and best eclipse watching. Alternatively, you can tune into live coverage of the solar eclipse on platforms like Hulu and Disney+, or cable channels like ABC, NBC, and CNN.
Solar eclipses are among the most fascinating celestial events surrounded by enormous mystique. For thousands of years, civilizations across the world have interpreted solar eclipses in their own unique ways and integrated them into their religions, culture, and agricultural practices, so it’s no wonder they’re surrounded by myths and mystique. Not to mention solar eclipses also inspire scientific wonder and spirituality.
So what makes solar eclipses so fascinating? We explore.
Total solar eclipses have inspired fear
Photo by Jongsun Lee on UnsplashIn ancient times, a total solar eclipse was quite a scary thing to witness and there were many superstitions around it. Many cultures interpreted total solar eclipses as a sign of doom. Some even believed that they represented battles between celestial beings. From the Chippewa tribes shooting flaming arrows to the heavens to ward off disaster to Norse myths about Loki's antics causing eclipses, fear was the most common reaction to total solar eclipses.
Solar eclipses also had romantic interpretations
Photo by Alejandra Quiroz on UnsplashAt the other end of the spectrum, some cultures weren’t afraid of solar eclipses but actually had romantic interpretations of them. For example, in Australian Aboriginal mythology, the Sun and Moon represented lovers, so a solar eclipse meant that they were coming together. German and Tahitian myths also interpreted solar eclipses as moments of intimacy between celestial partners. That’s much better than the doom and gloom take, in our humble opinion.
Solar eclipses follow predictable cycles
Photo by Andrew Preble on UnsplashAs it turns out, eclipses can be quite predictable. Every 18 months or so, the Moon will get in the way of the Sun somewhere on Earth. Partial eclipses are the most common, where the Moon only covers a part of the Sun, and we get at least 2 of them per year. Total solar eclipses are the most rare, but they still happen every 2 or 3 years somewhere on Earth. Whether we can observe them or not depends on the location, and most of them happen in remote areas, often over the ocean.
There are different types of solar eclipses
Photo by Fahd Hasis on Wikimedia Commons
Yes, that’s right! There are four types of solar eclipses: total, partial, annular, and hybrid. What makes each of them different is the way the Sun, Moon, and Earth align, though it also depends on the location from where you’re watching. Whatever type of solar eclipse you happen to witness, it will be a unique experience that doesn’t happen very often.
The duration of solar eclipses varies a lot
Solar eclipses may be predictable, but it’s very difficult to tell how long they will last. A total solar eclipse usually lasts a few minutes, but in some rare cases, they’ve lasted 7 minutes or more. What’s certain is that even if a solar eclipse only lasts a few seconds, watching its effect and the kind of eerie spectacle that it offers is unforgettable and awe-inspiring.
Solar eclipses have been important throughout history
Photo by Patrick Hendry on UnsplashA surprising thing about solar eclipses is that they’ve left quite a mark on history. Why? Because they’ve altered certain events in unexpected ways. For example, the ancient Battle of Halys, which is known as the Battle of the Eclipse, was actually interrupted by a sudden solar eclipse in 585 BCE. Eclipses have been shaping history in very interesting ways, so it’s fun to look back and see how they’ve led to certain outcomes.
Solar eclipses offer valuable scientific insights
Photo by Jaredd Craig on UnsplashSolar eclipses not only have cultural significance, they’re also invaluable in the scientific community. For example, solar eclipses have helped researchers observe the outer atmosphere of the Sun, which has helped to expand our understanding of solar physics. Solar eclipses offer amazing opportunities to uncover more knowledge, so they’re exciting events for scientists studying the nature of space.
Solar eclipses offer moments for introspection
Photo by freestocks on UnsplashIf you’re into astrology and spiritual wellness, solar eclipses are important moments to look out for. They’re considered to be times of intense energy, making them great moments for introspection and release. They’re also interpreted as times of profound change and transformation, so if you’ve been carrying something for a while, solar eclipses are an invitation to relax, let go, and embrace the new.
They’re ripe for personal reflection
Photo by Sage Friedman on UnsplashWhether you go all out and watch solar eclipses through a telescope or just watch from your balcony, the moment is perfect for personal reflection and meditation. Solar eclipses can have quite a contemplative effect, so they can be deeply spiritual experiences. They invite us to pause and reflect on our place in the universe, and we can find a lot of meaning in that. Especially in times when we feel disconnected from everything.
Solar eclipses can affect animals
Photo by Lindz Marsh on UnsplashIf you have pets, you should keep an eye on them during a solar eclipse because it can cause some animals to be confused. This effect can be easily observed in birds. They will stop singing or tuck themselves away to sleep because they think it’s nighttime, and this can also happen with certain mammals! It’s nothing to worry about, just don’t be surprised if your pets start acting like it’s bedtime during a solar eclipse.
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With a booming influx of tourists, investors, expats, and floating residents, the once-small Mexican village is now a tourist haven that’s becoming unrecognizable by the day. Since 2010 the population in Tulum increased by 65%. There’s no doubting Tulum’s attractiveness, but there’s a price for paradise, and the environment and the local residents are paying the tab.
the tropical coastline of Tulum, Mexicovia unsplash Darren Lawrence
Fake Eco-Tourism
“Greenwashing” is a term that’s grown substantially in the past decade. The term refers to false or misleading marketing tactics that businesses use to market themselves as environmentally sustainable/friendly without actually making investments into business practices that help them deliver on those eco-friendly promises.
Many of Tulum’s newer residents have come from all over the world, opening new businesses, buying real estate, and driving tourism into the town. Though business might be booming, Tulum’s local infrastructure is struggling to catch up with the demands. The lack of infrastructure directly contributes to the environmental devastation occurring in large scale across Tulum.
The Yucatán contains the largest underground freshwater system in the world and was especially important to the Mayans as they utilized the cenotes, or sinkholes, that formed along the Yucatán as their main water source. The Mayans also believed that the cenotes acted as gateways to the underworld where their gods and spirits rested. Nowadays, tourists see those same cenotes as an attraction to experience and a perfect backdrop for social media posts, but recent findings show that as much as 80% of the cenotes are polluted due to improper disposal of garbage, pesticides, and even raw sewage.
A woman swimming in one of Tulum’s cenotes.
via unsplash Mathilde Langevin
Along with the lack of infrastructure exists the sewage issue: much of Tulum’s “eco-friendly” resorts don’t have adequate sewage, and many of the new construction projects aren’t being connected into an existing network that can sustain the current population, let alone the ever expanding foreign population.
It’s estimated that as many as 80% of Tulum’s resorts do not have adequate sewage, leading to the contamination of the aforementioned Yucatán. Many of the beloved trendy places to visit run on gas generators, leading to both noise and air pollution to power most of Tulum beach. The failure of the notoriously corrupt local and federal government to enact and enforce legislation to protect Tulum’s environment is a direct cause of this, with developers paying top dollar to local officials that are all too happy to develop the land as quickly as possible.
There are also large economic impacts with the rise of newcomers to Tulum: many of the high-priced boutique hotels, vegan restaurants, yoga studios, and more that continue to draw in the “eco chic” tourists don’t actually generate any economic development opportunities for the locals. With many of the “eco-friendly” resorts charging nightly rates comparable to that of major U.S cities like New York and Los Angeles, the employees, local to the area, aren’t seeing their wages rise to reflect that.
The average monthly wage in Tulum is reported at $7,000 pesos, which in today’s exchange rate, is $336 dollars. Worse yet, that wage rate has remained largely unchanged since 2011.
Instead we’re seeing wealthy expats lining their pockets, and those of the local politicians and cartels, with the profit of their earnings while the local economy continues to stagnate in poverty wages. Without policy protecting workers, the environment, and local infrastructure Tulum is destined to become a wasteland that won’t ever be recovered.
Challenges Amidst Tourist Boom
Tulum has a brand-new international airport, and while the airport currently handles domestic flights exclusively, the outset of international flights has been scheduled for March 2024.
Simultaneously, the Mayan Train project unfolds—a colossal 1,500-kilometer railway connecting Palenque to Chetumal. This route goes through biological reserves, indigenous communities, and archaeological sites.
The inaugural phase, which spans 892 kilometers from Palenque to Cancún, was opened in December 2023. The following sections are expected to be open by February 2024.
Concerns loom large about the impact of new access roads that greenlight excessive growth that does not take into account strategic planning to prioritize the authentic and sustainable well-being of the local community and the environment. Striking a balance is crucial to prevent the compromise of Yucatán's rich cultural, biological, and environmental heritage.
The Future
There’s light at the end of the tunnel though - reports have found cleanups are underway for some cenotes in both Tulum and nearby Cancun, where high contamination rates were cited as risks for human health and the environment. The biggest factor in changing Tulum's local economy though, lies in tourists' hands.
While some tourists are attracted to “eco-friendly” travel, many aren’t doing the work to verify if these places are truly practicing what they preach. By looking for sustainable green and red flags when traveling, consumers can hold these resorts accountable for their environmentally friendly images and decide if they actually deserve your money.
Staying at resorts that utilize renewable energy sources such as solar or wind energy, limit electricity usage (common in tropical communities), provide water purification services, and practice responsible sewage practices that doesn't damage the local ecosystem are all ways of supporting the right kinds of business.
When in doubt, opt out of that trendy vegan place and look to support something locally owned that benefits Tulum’s local community. Listening to and respecting indigenous communities advocating for their environment is one of the most vital pieces of the puzzle, as these communities are disproportionately impacted by environmental devastation.
Consumers have a lot more power than they think. The power of the wallet can send a clear message that places like Tulum should be protected, and the money will stop flowing without that. Ultimately, it's up to individuals to care more about respecting the environment and the residents than their Instagram posts.
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While millennials have popularized the idea of plant parenthood, our Latinx community has always had a green thumb. Our parents and abuelos have always had lush gardens or indoor plants that they care for. It’s no coincidence that while many have used plants as a way to cope lately, our parents and abuelos have been doing the same for generations.
The correlation between caring for plants and improvement in mental health has been proven and this leads us to believe that our community has been onto something for years. While many immigrants have moved from rural and green spaces to more urban and compact cities in the United States, their practices of caring for plants remained the same. We have known our families to have indoor plants that fill our living spaces and those with yards tend to start growing trees that will bear fruit.
In honor of our community and to encourage the improvement of mental health, we’re giving you a list of classic plants that many grew up seeing in their homes.
Pothos Plant
One of the easiest plants to care for is a Pothos plant. It is also known for being one of the best plants to improve indoor air quality, it can be styled many ways including on tables, bookshelves, or hung to show off its vines. It’s no wonder it makes an appearance in nearly every Latino household.
Aloe Vera
Photo by Jude Smart on UnsplashMany know Aloe Vera as a medicinal plant. It is a lowkey plant that grows best in dry conditions and well-lit spaces. The nostalgia of Aloe Vera plants will have you remembering the ways in which your mom used it to treat sunburns and even face masks.
Ferns
Quickly recognized for their divided leaves, these plants do well in shaded areas making them the perfect indoor plant as long as you keep them in cool and open area spaces.
Cacti
Best known for how easy it is to care for them and long life, cacti are perfect for any home. They’re aesthetically pleasing and require very little maintenance!
Snake Plant
This plant always makes the easy-to-care-for lists. It doesn’t need much water, in fact, during the winter months and if there is decent humidity, it only needs to be watered once or twice during the entire season.
Peace Lily
This plant hails from Central and South America and Southeastern Asia, making it a no-brainer that it ends up in so many Latino households. The white flowers add a little pop to the green and with its ability to survive in little to moderate light and very little water, it’s perfect for new plant parents.
