Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski on Friday made a call to the entire country to preserve the environment in order to prevent further climate change effects, particularly the scarcity of water for human consumption.
Speaking during the signing of an agreement between regional governments and the Agriculture Ministry, President Kuczynski warned that Peru could run out of water in 100 years due to
global warming.
The Head of State stressed how man-made greenhouse gases are speeding up the
melting of glaciers, which have decreased by 50% in the last 50 years.
"At this pace, there will be nothing left in 30 or 40 years. We thus have to work on preserving the
highlands, so that they attract the moisture of rains. This is done, among other things, through
afforestation," he explained.
Mr. Kuczynski also noted how the phreatic layer (groundwater) has "brutally" dropped in certain areas of the country.
"This is a wake-up call, a warning that we must do things differently," he pointed out.
The statesman thus said the National Water Authority (ANA) ought to become a more comprehensive institution that not only verifies water distribution, but also preservation measures.
Lastly, President Kuczynski congratulated Ica and Huancavelica regional governments for the signing of the agreement, which will allow for the implementation of irrigation projects and other similar initiatives.
(END) CCR/MVB