CINCIA Brings Science to TEDxAmazonia
Vega Facilitates Illegal Mining Discussion in Ecuador
Dr. Claudia Vega, a researcher at CINCIA, participated in the meeting that this year addressed the interdependence and connections between the ecological, social, economic and cultural systems of the Amazon.
The science that studies the impacts of illegal gold mining in the Amazon reached TEDxAmazonia Ecuador 2026 thanks to Claudia Vega, a researcher at the Center for Amazonian Scientific Innovation (CINCIA), who participated in this space dedicated to reflecting on the challenges and opportunities of a deeply interconnected region.
Under the theme of “Interdependence” , the 2026 edition of TEDxAmazonia focused on the close relationship between the ecological, economic, social and cultural systems of the Amazon, as well as how decisions and activities that occur in a territory can generate impacts that transcend borders.
Vega facilitated a side event in which the environmental, public health, and social impacts of illegal gold mining impacts were explored from a participatory perspective, seeking to generate a broader understanding of the connections that exist between illegal gold mining and the different dimensions of life in the Amazon.
Dr. Claudia Vega’s participation is just one example of CINCIA’s work to both generate and communicate scientific evidence that contributes to understanding the main environmental challenges of the Amazon and to strengthening decision-making.
For several years, CINCIA has been investigating the impacts of mercury pollution associated with gold mining, as well as its effects on aquatic ecosystems and the populations that depend on them. These studies aim not only to generate knowledge, but also to put science at the service of people and contribute to developing solutions to the problems affecting the Amazon.