Climate Change in Latin America - European Commission

1.1.2. Andean Region
Evidence has been seen for Climate Change in the
Andean sub-region for more than three decades.
Whereas global temperature changes of 0.2°C per
decade have been recorded worldwide since 1990,
the temperature increase in the Central Andes region
between 1974 and 1998 was 0.34°C; in other words,
70% more than the global average. The alteration
of bodies of water associated with the receding
and disappearance of glaciers would affect access
to sources of water for human consumption, which
would almost necessarily have serious repercussions
for cities like Lima.
Numerous hydroelectric energy systems would be
negatively affected. Subsistence agricultural systems
are already being affected by anomalous rainfall
patterns and increases in temperature. Mountain
ecosystems (moorland, high altitude wetlands,
montane forests) are amongst the ecosystems that are
most sensitive to Climate Change. Although there is
no solid scientific evidence, recent data suggest that
alterations to the water cycles in these high altitude
ecosystems could be related to the high number of
forest fires that have occurred over the last decade.
These alterations to the water cycles would cause
imbalances that could have repercussions even for
the Amazon region.
El Niño and La Niña (El Nino Southern Oscillation or
ENSO) are climatological phenomena that represent
a threat. Studies carried out in Peru suggest that
the intensity of this phenomenon will increase and
it will probably occur more frequently due to the
effect of Climate Change. Over the last seven years,
emergencies caused by floods, droughts, landslides
and freezing weather, amongst others, have doubled.
This shows the region's vulnerability as regards
adaptation, along with the necessity of responding to
these phenomena.
1.1.3. Amazon Basin
After the long period of drought in 2005, computerised
forecasting systems detected that the integrity of
the Amazon rainforests could be affected by the
processes of savannah expansion. Over the past
decades, increases in temperature and erratic rainfall
have led to a massive reversal in carbon absorption.
Trees are dying out more rapidly where the droughts
have been most intense. For years the Amazon
Basin has been helping slow down global warming.
If this ecosystem doesn't function properly, or if it
breaks down entirely, levels of carbon dioxide in the
atmosphere will go up.
The environmental consequences of the conversion
of tropical forest to savannah would imply other
changes to the region's rainfall patterns, including
modifications to the savannah and flooded savannah
systems, which would also be affected. The social
consequences would affect the different nations that
are present in the basin.
1.1.4. Southern Cone
Significant impacts are also forecasted for the
Southern Cone as a result of changes to rainfall
patterns. The frequency and intensity of extreme
climate events like floods, droughts, storms, tornadoes
and heavy rain have increased in Argentina as a result
of global warming and Climate Change. Research
that has been carried out shows that this hydrological
response has led to temperature increases, especially
in the southern part of the Continent.
The receding of glaciers in the Andes mountain range
implies a decreased level of flow in the rivers that
supply the cities and irrigated valleys in the northern
regions of Argentina and Chile, intensifying the
effects of the desertification process. Regions in the
centre and south of Chile are also being affected the
recession of its numerous glaciers. In some provinces
of Argentina inhabitants believe that Climate Change
is one of their main problems. In the low-lying coastal
regions and estuaries in Argentina and Uruguay, an
increase in sea level could reduce biological diversity
and the amount of coast, damaging infrastructure
and leading to saltwater intrusion. If the rising sea
level were to block the flow of rivers on the plains
towards the ocean, the risk of flooding could increase
in these basins.
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