Environmental Policies
Ecuador is a country that truly understands the benefits that come from protecting the Amazon, the Coast, the Sierra, amongst others, and all species including plants and insects. As a country, Ecuador has decided to implement laws regarding preservation of land written into their constitution. Ecuador's laws and policies do not only protect and conserve the environment, but also has rules to protect culture and identity. Having won awards for protecting the environment, every nation should adopt a Constitution similar to Ecuador's, and pay more attention to protecting the environment as opposed to gaining wealth at the expense of Mother Nature. Because Ecuador is not the richest in terms of wealth it is difficult for the inhabitants to progress their ideologies to other nations, although they are progressing as an individual country.
Bus System
Ecuador's bus system was adopted from Brazil, and it is a progressive system that each nation should adopt. Ecuador's bus system is a safe transportation system that promotes convince, quickness, and with modifications, a plan to decrease pollution. Very unique to other nations public transportation systems, Quito's roads have lanes designated for buses only, including safe areas for passengers while waiting a short time for the bus. Finding a bus stop and following a bus schedule in Ecuador is much easier as opposed to populated city such as New York or Washington, D.C. because their bus stops are designed as a waiting area. When the bus arrives on time, three doors open allowing passengers to efficiently board, and quickly the bus is on the way to the next destination. Another unique feature is the ability to bypass traffic lights in order to promote quickness. Previously reported, 75% of Ecuadorian commuters use the bus, while only 25% use cars. With this statistic we can gather that there is less pollution in the cities that use the bus system the most. Although one major flaw is that this progressive transformation system is mainly concentrated in the center, where citizens can afford the fare, but generally do not need the transportation, instead of concentrating the bus systems to the inner cities, where poor inhabitants need it the most. Personally, if the United States reformed their public transportation system to the likes of Ecuador's, I would be more likely to use it due to convince, punctuality, and to save the Earth from unnecessary pollution.
Economics and Politics
A reason that it is difficult for Ecuador to progress politically and economically is due to the country's geographical placement surrounded by other South American countries that are prominent in drug production. In addition, the government and politics in Ecuador is undoubtedly corrupt, due to unfit citizens that believe they can be leaders, but in turn lead for the benefit of themselves. Hence why there have been eight presidents in Ecuador over the last ten years.
On an economic standpoint, Ecuador should be richer due to their abundance of oil and exports, but the capital to continue investments are unfortunately non existent. The current President, Rafael Correa, has proved to be better than the last few presidents but still flaws in international relations, continuing to further away from the United States. Having little knowledge on the current President of Ecuador, the tactic of shying away from contracts with the United States is unbeknownst to me. Knowledgable in the area of international relations, Correa is definitely flawed in his anger towards Columbia, another country with which he has the opportunity to ally, but allowing past relations cloud his judgements.
It is a cycle of inequality, those who are intelligent but have not received proper education and do not have money cannot change the ways of Ecuador for the better. The United States, being a bilateral donor to Ecuador, encourages the funds to be used towards proper education, protecting the environment, and a better democracy, although President Correa's emotions are trumping logic. These are contributing factors as to why Ecuador is not progressing as well as it should, although a slow progression is better than none.
On an economic standpoint, Ecuador should be richer due to their abundance of oil and exports, but the capital to continue investments are unfortunately non existent. The current President, Rafael Correa, has proved to be better than the last few presidents but still flaws in international relations, continuing to further away from the United States. Having little knowledge on the current President of Ecuador, the tactic of shying away from contracts with the United States is unbeknownst to me. Knowledgable in the area of international relations, Correa is definitely flawed in his anger towards Columbia, another country with which he has the opportunity to ally, but allowing past relations cloud his judgements.
It is a cycle of inequality, those who are intelligent but have not received proper education and do not have money cannot change the ways of Ecuador for the better. The United States, being a bilateral donor to Ecuador, encourages the funds to be used towards proper education, protecting the environment, and a better democracy, although President Correa's emotions are trumping logic. These are contributing factors as to why Ecuador is not progressing as well as it should, although a slow progression is better than none.
Volcanoes
Having not studied volcanoes, I think the snowcapped volcanoes that eventually produce natural water by means of waterfalls is incredibly beautiful. Classified in the video, Cotopaxi is the most beautiful volcano, completely covered in snow, standing at 5,987 meters high. I would still love to visit Cotopaxi, granted it will have no plans to erupt around the same time we arrive. Although being a dangerous area, the Andes are naturally beautiful which is quite favorable to me, to experience natural beauty as opposed to being in a polluted, materialistic society.
References
Carrion, D., & Vasconez, J. (n.d.). The Case of Quito, Ecuador. UNDERSTANDING SLUMS: Case Studies for the Global Report on Human Settlements 2003.
Cracknell, J. (2003). Quito Busways, Ecuador. http://amalavidaexperience.weebly.com/uploads/3/9/0/2/39029957/paper-quitobussystem.pdf.
Flores, F. (n.d.). Ecuador's Environmental Policies. Earth Island Journal, 16(1), 27-27.
Hallas, M. (2014). Mitad del Mundo, Quito Ecuador. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4W1lcdy4P0&feature=youtu.be
Manders, J. (2012). Passport to Latin America: Quito Ecuador (Part 1). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8owQdL_Ak7M
Manders, J. (2012). Passport to Latin America: Quito Ecuador (Part 2). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDkGKgDRw24
Making of Cotopaxi Volcano Documentary. (2013). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmWZpL-l6zc&feature=youtu.be
Natural Wonders of the Caribbean 2 (2012) - Cloud Forests. (2012). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYEilIbX6OQ&feature=youtu.be
RECALDE-CORONEL, C., Barnston, A., & Munoz, A. (2014). Predictability of December–April Rainfall in Coastal and Andean Ecuador. Journal of APPLIED METEOROLOGY AND CLIMATOLOGY, 53.
Riding Quito TelefériQo Up Ecuador's Pichincha Volcano. (2014). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OP1FpZn0EqU
Robertson, C., Hermann, P., & Hoffman, J. (1999). Environmental Ethics across Borders: The United States versus Ecuador. Management International Review, 39(1), 55-69. Retrieved from Jstor.
Seelke, C. (2008). Ecuador: Political and Economic Situation and U.S. Relations. CRS Report for Congress, 1-6.
Cracknell, J. (2003). Quito Busways, Ecuador. http://amalavidaexperience.weebly.com/uploads/3/9/0/2/39029957/paper-quitobussystem.pdf.
Flores, F. (n.d.). Ecuador's Environmental Policies. Earth Island Journal, 16(1), 27-27.
Hallas, M. (2014). Mitad del Mundo, Quito Ecuador. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4W1lcdy4P0&feature=youtu.be
Manders, J. (2012). Passport to Latin America: Quito Ecuador (Part 1). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8owQdL_Ak7M
Manders, J. (2012). Passport to Latin America: Quito Ecuador (Part 2). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDkGKgDRw24
Making of Cotopaxi Volcano Documentary. (2013). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmWZpL-l6zc&feature=youtu.be
Natural Wonders of the Caribbean 2 (2012) - Cloud Forests. (2012). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYEilIbX6OQ&feature=youtu.be
RECALDE-CORONEL, C., Barnston, A., & Munoz, A. (2014). Predictability of December–April Rainfall in Coastal and Andean Ecuador. Journal of APPLIED METEOROLOGY AND CLIMATOLOGY, 53.
Riding Quito TelefériQo Up Ecuador's Pichincha Volcano. (2014). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OP1FpZn0EqU
Robertson, C., Hermann, P., & Hoffman, J. (1999). Environmental Ethics across Borders: The United States versus Ecuador. Management International Review, 39(1), 55-69. Retrieved from Jstor.
Seelke, C. (2008). Ecuador: Political and Economic Situation and U.S. Relations. CRS Report for Congress, 1-6.