A Conversation with Professor and Human Geographer Kendra McSweeney

In today's episode, I speak with Kendra Mcsweeney, a Professor at the Ohio State University. Focusing in human-environment interactions, her research has largely been concentrated in Central America, and in particular the impact climate change, deforestation and drug trafficking have on the indigenous peoples of the region. For well over a decade, she has specifically studied the Tawahka people of eastern Honduras. As the smallest indegnous community in the country whose native land is deep in the rainforest, their home has been a sought out trafficking destination for years. We discuss the impact this has had, as well as its origins, and the powers at be that make it possible.

Please Note: This episode was recorded in 2022.

For more work by Kendra McSweeney, check out the links below

"Drugs, Destruction, and Deforestation" for Nat Geo Live: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jx6wWbja9cE

Climate Change in Central America: The Drug War Connection
https://gjia.georgetown.edu/2020/05/13/climate-change-in-central-america-the-drug-war-connection/

Acknowledging Cocaine Capital in Central American Development: https://jied.lse.ac.uk/articles/10.31389/jied.110