Be

Water Scarcity As Africa's Lakes Shrink

The rapid decline of Africa's lakes is illustrated dramatically by satellite images from a United Nations Atlas. Many Africans now face a tough future without access to safe drinking water.

The most important freshwater reserves in Africa could be reduced to inhospitable bogs or even completely dry out within a few decades, according to a dramatic report from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). In its "Atlas of African Lakes" the UNEP has published satellite images of Africa's lakes from decades ago alongside pictures of the lakes as they stand today. The images are dramatic: The water levels of many of Africa's lakes have dropped, some drastically, and the supply of clean drinking water to an exploding population is being endangered. The rapid changes that are sweeping Africa's lakes are due to a combination of human activities and climate change.

read more

posted by ... @ 10:51 AM