drastic measures: rationed water, stationary nomads, and forced snow
Winter rains may have started in the U.S. but many areas on the planet are still suffering from severe drought.
no rain in the americas
Here at home, California, southern Texas, and the Southwest continue to suffer from severe to extreme drought. Fortunately, we haven’t had to endure the hardships imposed on the citizens of other countries. Just this week residents of Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, are having to do without water service for up to 48 hours. The dry weather started back in 2007 and the water rationing is expected to be in effect until 2010 when the rainy season begins again.
africa’s suffering worsens
Over in Africa, more severe and frequent droughts are drastically changing the way of life for millions of nomads in Kenya. While drought is no stranger to Africa, a Christian Aid study released in 2006 shows that periods of drought have quadrupled in the last 25 years. Compounding the problem is a growth in population. What does this mean for the nomads? Many of them have lost their herds and are no longer to continue with their nomadic traditions. Worse still, others have lost family members to malnutrition.
the chinese take control of the weather
And perhaps you heard about China’s efforts to wring some water from the skies by seeding the clouds over Beijing last week. According to the Xinhua news agency, the head of the Beijing Weather Modification Office (who even knew they had one), said, “We won’t miss any opportunity of artificial precipitation since Beijing is suffering from the lingering drought.”
Where does all this leave us? The message seems pretty clear, climate change is effecting more and more people every day around the world. We’re trying to do our part in reducing the demand for water for textiles. Let’s hope the upcoming Copenhagen climate conference yields real results.
Ive heard about the China seeding the clouds to prevent drought. Some countries are in need of water, some are being flooded and the glaciers are melting faster. I hope that this serves as a warning for all of us. I hope we realize the effect of climate change and global warming before it’s too late. Let’s not ignore this messages as if there will always be a chance.