| Keywords | Description |
|---|---|
| Bilateral | An official agreement, action or relationship that involves two different countries or groups working directly together. |
| Sargassum | A type of floating brown seaweed that forms large mats in the ocean and often washes onto sandy beaches. |
| Joint Project | A specific effort or plan created by two or more people, organizations or countries working together toward a single goal. |
Mexico and Japan are working together in a bilateral effort to clean up sargassum, a smelly type of brown seaweed, on popular Mexican beaches. The thick seaweed washes ashore every year, covering the sand, harming sea life and creating a big mess for coastal communities.
To help fix the issue, Japan will share high-tech tools with Mexico. Japan is offering specialized ships, collection devices and small underwater robots to gather the floating seaweed before it hits the shore. The two countries will also use satellites in space to track where the large patches of seaweed are moving across the ocean.
How Mexico and Japan are trying to solve the sargassum crisis
Scientists and researchers from both nations will work side by side to discover smart ways to recycle the collected sargassum. Instead of throwing it away, they hope to turn it into helpful products like organic soap, shoes and sturdy building materials.
Leaders believe this teamwork will protect ocean animals, keep beaches clean for visitors and protect local jobs in fishing and tourism. Mexican Foreign Minister Roberto Velasco and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi shared details about the joint project during an official meeting.
In addition to this international project, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum promised to spend government money to help clear the coastlines in popular vacation spots like Cancún and Tulum. To build on these efforts, Cancún will host a major global conference in October to bring leaders from many different countries together to share ideas.
Bridging words
These words sound similar in English and Spanish: Why not practice them now?
| English | Spanish |
|---|---|
| Sargassum | Sargazo |
| Ocean | Océano |
| President | Presidente |
Time to discuss
- Why is it important for countries to work together to solve environmental problems?
- What are some ways technology can help with ocean issues?
- How can turning sargassum into products help local communities?
Let’s Write
Answer the following questions in one paragraph:
- What are some of the benefits of Mexico and Japan working together on the sargassum problem?
- What would you like to learn more about regarding seaweed and its uses?
