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| Fri, 22nd Jul 2022 9:32:00 |
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Mega-drought, glacier melt, and deforestation plague Latin America and the Caribbean |
From the Amazon to the Andes and the snowy depths of Patagonia, extreme weather and climate change are causing mega-drought, extreme rainfall, deforestation and glacier melt across the Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) region, according to a UN report published on Friday.
In its State of the Climate in Latin America and the Caribbean 2021, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) highlights the far-reaching repercussions for ecosystems, food and water security, human health and poverty.
“The report shows that hydrometeorological hazards, including droughts, heatwaves, cold waves, tropical cyclones and floods, have unfortunately led to the loss of hundreds of lives, severe damages to crop production and infrastructure and human displacement,” said WMO Secretary-General Petteri Taalas.
Climate change is threatening vital systems in the region, which are already approaching critical conditions, potentially causing irreversible damage.
The report revealed that since the 1980s, glaciers in the tropical Andes have lost 30 per cent or more of their area – with a negative mass balance trend during the 1990-2020 monitoring period.
In Peru, some have lost more than 50 per cent of their area.
Glacier retreat and corresponding ice-mass loss increases the risk of water scarcity for people in the Andes, and its ecosystems.
“For many Andean cities, melting glaciers represent the loss of a significant source of freshwater currently used for domestic use, irrigation, and hydroelectric power,” said the WMO chief.
Deforestation and dangerous rain
According to the report, deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon rainforest doubled from the 2009?2018 average and reached its highest level since 2009.
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