World Climate Day and Climate Change Adaptation
Did you know?
Since the 19th century, human activities have been the main driver of climate change through the burning of fossil fuels. Therefore, the current level of greenhouse gases (GHG) is the highest in 2 million years. As a result, the Earth is warming, raising the current temperature to 1.1 °C above the pre-industrial level. The IPCC predicts that by 2100 the loss of the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheet will raise sea level by 0.05 to 0.55 m.
Why should Peru adopt climate change adaptation measures?
- It is considered the third most vulnerable country to climate risks.
- By 2050, it is estimated that the Peruvian north coast will present an increase in precipitation frequency (>10%) and intensity (>20%) (SENAMHI, 2021).
- It is a country with climatic megadiversity since it has 28 of the 32 climates in the world.
- 39.9% of the national primary GDP was contributed by the mining sector, one of the economic activities vulnerable to climatic variation. (BCRP, 2022)
What did extreme weather events leave behind in Peru?
Coastal Child (2017)
- 16,000 victims
- 17 deaths
- 181 bridges affected
- 962 km of roads destroyed
(Geophysical Institute of Peru, 2022)
Cyclone Yaku (2023)
- 1511 victims
- 7 deaths
- 4045 houses affected
- 26.3 km of roads damaged
(National Institute of Civil Defense, 2023)
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And now?
On March 16, 2023, amid the ravages of Cyclone Yaku, ENFEN announced that El Niño conditions are likely to occur as of May, generating above-normal rainfall on the northern and central coast of Peru. According to SENAMHI (2021), in Peru climate change will generate changes in the average climate, variability and extremes. Therefore, it is estimated that by 2050, rainfall will be more frequent and intense between 10 and 15% and the temperature will increase between 1.5 and 2 °C.
What do we think about climate change and how it affects our country?
Climate change is becoming more noticeable and its impact is not only linked to the intensity of the associated phenomena, but also to the level of vulnerability of the affected areas. Peru is one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change, since impacts such as the melting of glaciers, landslides or droughts, to name a few, have consequences on economic activities, health and integrity of people.
So, are we prepared or what should we do to face climate change?
Our country is not prepared for the effects of climate change; a sample of this is the havoc caused by extreme events. Beyond the normative or formal framework, samples of material and concrete actions are required in the different sectors and actors. In addition to individual and collective awareness of climate change.
Rosa Altuna Olaechea
Head of Environmental Projects
Brigitte Leiva Trujillo
Environmental Services Engineer