The reservoirs which supply water to the city of São Paulo are down to about 25% capacity with a forecast for 17% capacity by next April. This is due to a large shortfall in the amount of rain over the last few months, less than half what we usually get. I imagine water rationing will be on the cards.
Basically, water vapour rises from the vast Amazon rain forest to form huge clouds which travel down the continent on an air stream, dispensing rain as they go. This phenomenon is known as the River in the Sky and is an essential part of the ecosystem in South America, especially Brazil. Tampering with any aspect of this cycle, such as deforestation, will have and is having serious consequences.
Presenting misleading figures to downplay the extent of the deforestation at international climate summits (hoping for nice fat grants?) doesn´t really work as the truth will out. How the powers that be can ignore the long-term effects of their policies is difficult to comprehend, one can only hope a change in government will improve matters since the Amazon is being destroyed at a rate never seen before.
Our poor planet.
I thought the lack of rain was just the weather pattern shift. The Amazon forests were not always forests. Roads criss-crossed the area once upon a time.
ReplyDeleteThe ancient Amazon roads are all grown over so don´t affect the current situation. Deforestation is only part of a complex problem, but it is one that could be controlled or halted with the right attitude.
Delete