The Amazon Rainforest Experiences Second Drought in 5 years

por Isla Campbell

This year has marked the second year in a decade that a drought has stricken the Amazon river, with some of the world's largest river's tributaries drying up completely. In fact, this year has marked the second drought in five years for this enormous rainforest - which is a far cry from the usual drought which should normally happen no more than a few times a century.
The drought has meant that many people living on and around the river have seen their way of life dry up as the waters recede, leaving behind only cracked, thirsty dirt as evidence of an extremely long and dry season. And the people and animals aren't the only ones affected by the change - the rainforest itself is experiencing the difficulties from a lack of water which can result in an increased risk of fire and crop losses. The Amazon rainforest is getting thirsty, and the effects of further droughts in coming years could be devastating.
The drought, which was at its worst during November of 2010, came just a month after horrific flooding in the area killed dozens of people and left thousands without a home - yet a further example of the extreme weather that has struck an otherwise stable region.
Many locals have reported that it feels as if the sun is getting hotter and admitted that they are finding it harder and harder to cope and, with the impact that climate change is having around the world, this isn't hard to believe.
Unfortunately, it doesn't look as though the swing of flooding and drought is going to stop. Predictions include years-long flooding that affects not only people and animals that depend on the Amazon river's water to survive, but trees and plants too.
This year saw less than half of the usual rainfall dispersed over the Amazon rainforest - what could the future hold? For those living in and around the rainforest - and, indeed, the rest of the world - the news could be very bad if society does not change the way it deals with climate change and starts working harder than ever to conserve both the rainforest and the environment as a whole. People all over the world depend on the Amazon rainforest for the many vital environmental services it provides such as cooling the whole planet and balancing climatic aspects like rainfall and fresh water production. Future effects of climate changes and further deforestation will cut this important lifeline.

Cf. também:

Turtles may have hard shells but they are not adequately protected against the threat man represents to their survival. Wildlife conservation activists have identified a number of ways human influence threatens the survival of turtles, and have initiated the animal conservation work that aims to repair the damage to the species.
• Reviving the Conservative Movement
The state of the nation four or eight years from now is going to be dramatically different than what we see now. With a steady growth in government spending and taxes it's going to be hard to bring us back down. Once certain programs are put into effect it is almost impossible to reverse or change them.
• Deadly Frogs of the Amazon
• Saving the rainforest: the huge task of conserving the Amazon