Vulnerability and opportunities in the face of climate change
Amazon forests.
Peru harbors 231 river basins and 70% of the world’s tropical glaciers. Nevertheless, 70% of Peru’s 30 million inhabitants live along the desert coast, which harbors less than 2% of the country’s hydrological resources. Moreover, a large portion of the population faces lack and pollution of water sources, which intensify in the context of climate change. These and other factors such as population growth and rapid economic development are putting increased pressures on national hydrological resources.
Local communities, authorities and the private sector are WWF Peru’s key allies to achieve hydrological security in the country and to preserve biological diversity and ecosystem services provided by our freshwater sources. In this regard, WWF also works by promoting guidelines for sustainable energy infrastructure and the reduction of the national hydrological footprint.
Key facts:
70% of the world’s tropical glaciers are in the Peruvian
Andes.
About 80% of water extraction in Peru is used for irrigation and 65% of that water is wasted by inefficient irrigation systems.
In 2006, 72% of the total electricity generation in Peru came from hydropower plants.
70% of the Peruvian population is concentrated in the desert coast of Peru, where only 2% of the national water resources are found.
One major goal:
WWF Peru works alongside local and indigenous people in the development of tools and capacities to preserve freshwa- ter ecosystems in many regions of the Peruvian Amazon.
With WWF Peru’s technical support, the ‘Abanico del Pas- taza’ Wetland Complex in Loreto was recognized in 2002 as a Ramsar Site; it is now the largest wetland in the Peruvian Amazon with this classification.
Local communities, authorities and the private sector are WWF Peru’s key allies to achieve hydrological security in the country and to preserve biological diversity and ecosystem services provided by our freshwater sources. In this regard, WWF also works by promoting guidelines for sustainable energy infrastructure and the reduction of the national hydrological footprint.
Key facts:
70% of the world’s tropical glaciers are in the Peruvian
Andes.
About 80% of water extraction in Peru is used for irrigation and 65% of that water is wasted by inefficient irrigation systems.
In 2006, 72% of the total electricity generation in Peru came from hydropower plants.
70% of the Peruvian population is concentrated in the desert coast of Peru, where only 2% of the national water resources are found.
One major goal:
WWF Peru works alongside local and indigenous people in the development of tools and capacities to preserve freshwa- ter ecosystems in many regions of the Peruvian Amazon.
With WWF Peru’s technical support, the ‘Abanico del Pas- taza’ Wetland Complex in Loreto was recognized in 2002 as a Ramsar Site; it is now the largest wetland in the Peruvian Amazon with this classification.
