Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Climate change: this is what climate change looks like

bolivia_glaciers

The above is a before and after shot of the Chacaltaya glacier in 1996 and 2007. As can be seen, it has disappeared in just eleven years. But this doesn't just mean the loss of a pretty piece of scenery - it also means thirsty people. Two million Bolivians - 20% of Bolivia's population - depend on Chacaltaya and its nearby glaciers (which are also shrinking) for drinking water; without it, they will eventually have to move.

Thanks to climate change, this is our future. And we will be facing similar problems here. According to projections from MAF, the East Coast of New Zealand is basically going to dry up and blow away thanks to climate change. I guess those filthy farmers will be paying the price for their own pollution.