Global warming melting glaciers in Peru

cctv.com 02-16-2005 10:39

Global warming is taking center stage in South America's Peru. The snow-topped peaks of the Cordillera Blanca Mountain attract thousands of visitors each year. But scientists warn glaciers in the Peruvian Andes could disappear within a decade.

According to Peruvian scientists, the glaciers have melted dramatically in the last 30 years as the average global temperature soars.

Marco Zapato from National Inst. of Natural Resources said, "The data shows that almost 22% of the country's glacial area has been lost since 1970. For Cordillera Blanca from 1970 to 1997, the area lost in this mountain range is 15.5%."

The world's top scientists from a UN-sponsored climate study group are blaming burning of fossil fuels for the warming up of the atmosphere.

Scientists say the rapidly melting ice will cause a water crisis in Peru in the near future.

Benjamin Morales-Arnao, Glaciologist & Director of National Institution of Culture, said, "I think the principal thing is we lost water, and the water will in the future, be more important than oil because water is life."

Peru is particularly vulnerable to climate change because the melting water is the main source of hydroelectric generation. About 70% of the country's energy comes from hydroelectric power plants.

Editor:Wang Ping  Source:CCTV.com