According to experts, the temperature will continue to rise, which will change life throughout the region.
A large part of South America is going through a drought at historic levelswhich passes through the region for the second consecutive year. This problem raises alarm bells for the future, in line with the effects of climate change.
In countries like Brazil and Paraguaythe situation is worrying. In the first, fires and prolonged drought devastated forests, wetlands and pastures, with the smoke spreading over 80% of the country. In the second, The Paraguay River dropped to levels never recorded beforecausing boats to be stranded and the most valuable quarry for fishermen to disappear, forcing them to look for other ways to feed their families.
One of the most affected cities in Brazilian territory is Saint Paulcausing record the worst air quality in the world. In addition, other places suffered a sharp increase in air pollution, prompting authorities to cancel classes, postpone outdoor parades and urge people to stay home. According to the Brazilian Ministry of Health, more and more people are seeking medical attention for respiratory problems.
Furthermore, in Ecuador suffer constant power outagesor that they have reached 2 pm in the day; and in Colombia a similar situation, but with the water at regular intervals. The situation is critical to such a level that the mayor of the affected city, Bogotá, asked people to bathe in pairs.
To all this, the Amazon -the largest river system in the world- has long stretches that have become dry, brown beaches. This river supports about 30 million people in eight countries.
What is the cause of the drought and when will it end?
Drought is related to the meteorological phenomenon called The Childwhich due to its intensity caused havoc in southern America; and on the other hand temperature in the North Atlanticwhich reached a new maximum, favoring drier conditions.
On the side of the Amazon jungle, faces increasingly less frequent rainsomething that has been suffering for an alarming time, according to the Brazilian scientist Carlos Nobre.
“We are afraid”Nobre said, as the planet was not expected to reach a mark of 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels in its average temperature for 12 consecutive months.
As for the end of the drought, scientists hope that a new weather pattern, known as The Girlsaid Lincoln Muniz Alvesclimate scientist at Brazil’s National Space Research Institute, which will bring “some chances” of increased precipitation across the continent and improved conditions by the end of the year. But that won’t change the general trend: the temperature is rising, which is changing life across the region.
Source: Ambito
