Climate change - impacts & mitigation efforts:Warming oceans main cause of unprecedented Amazon drought

The mighty Amazon river, one of the most water-rich rivers in the world, at this moment is reduced to a trickle in places. Where boats usually transport goods, people are now walking or bicycling. Rotting fish is lying around on the now dried river bottom. The governor of the Amazonas state has declared a crisis due to the drought.
A renowned Brazilian scientists says the unprecedented drought has one main cause: Warming of the oceans. To this should be added reduced evapotranspiration from the vegetation, and forest burning.

Greenpeace campaigners and scientists say the Amazonas may be on a verge of a tipping point, where the continued march towards savannization of the whole area is unavoidable.

The Amazon River is being reduced to a trickle in places. The people of the Amazon rely on the river and its tributaries for everything from food to transportation.
(Photo: Greenpeace via ENS)

Read a review of an ENS report, plus links to previous studies in EDC News.