Many of the Amazon Basin’s rivers are already at critical low levels. This has led to governments anticipating contingency plans to deal with increased forest fires and disrupted navigation.
This new development highlights the growing concern over water availability and the stability of the environment in one the most important ecosystems on the planet.
Drought affects multiple Amazonian Countries
The Amazon Basin will face one of the worst droughts ever in 2024 with major impacts on many member countries, according to a note from the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization.
This group includes Bolivia, Brazil Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana Peru, Suriname and Venezuela.
The note noted that water levels in several rivers of the southwest Amazon are at their lowest ever recorded for this time.
Brazil declares water shortfall in major basins
Brazil’s federal agency for water declared an emergency on Monday in the Madeira basin and Purus basin, which are areas the size of Mexico.
Acre then declared an emergency in response to the impending water shortage that was affecting its largest city. These measures were taken two months sooner than 2023 to improve monitoring, mobilize resources and request federal assistance.
The drought of last year had significant impacts on the environment and humans, including the death of river dolphins. Communities that rely on water transport were also isolated.
Impact on local communities and navigation
On July 20, the depth of Madeira River near Porto Velho, an important waterway used for soya and fuel, fell below 3 meters.
The same depth was achieved a month later, in 2023. Navigation is restricted at night, and two of Brazil’s biggest hydroelectric plants could stop production as they did last year.
Envira’s shallow rivers are a major obstacle to navigation. They also affect medical access, and increase food prices.
Forest fires are increasing.
The increase in forest fires is another major concern.
The highest number of fires in this period since almost 20 years was around 25,000. Fires in the Amazon are mostly human-made and used to clear deforested land, manage pastures, etc.
Climate impacts on the long-term
Climate change exacerbated 2023’s drought, which was one of the worst ever recorded in many areas and reached the highest “exceptional” rating on the scientific scale.
Climate change has a severe impact on the Amazon. The global warming is 30 times more likely to cause the drought. El Nino’s return was also a factor in drier weather conditions, but it wasn’t the main cause.
The Amazon is experiencing a severe drought, which raises concern about a tipping-point where the rainforest might transition into a drier condition. This could result in a mass death of trees as well as a significant release of CO2.
It is therefore vital to move away from fossil-fuels and protect the rainforest.
Repercussions on the regional and global level
The drought has affected millions of people living in the Amazon. Rivers are at their lowest level in more than a century. This leads to water shortages and failed crops.
The drought also led to wildfires spreading and high water temperatures causing a mass death of river life.
Experts emphasize the need for governments to intervene in order to help communities prepare for droughts that are intensifying.
The Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre emphasized the need for policies that help communities adapt to a changing climate.
As the cleared land holds less water, drought conditions have worsened due to the large-scale destruction and production of beef and soybeans.
Recent data suggests that the Amazon rainforest may be nearing its tipping point. More than 75% of unspoiled forest has lost stability since the early 2000s.
Global food supply risk
The impact of the drought goes beyond environmental concerns. It also affects global food supplies.
Amazon imports are crucial to UK food, such as bananas, avocados and melons for livestock feed.
The effects of climate change on South American farmers could lead to higher food prices and gaps in supermarket shelves around the world.
The Amazon Basin is suffering from a severe drought, which highlights the need to take urgent action against climate change and protect the ecosystem.
To mitigate long-term effects on the environment and food security, governments and organizations need to work together to implement sustainable practices.
This post: Is there a water emergency imminent? Amazon drought alarms about water levels, fires and food security. This post may be updated as new information becomes available
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