Bolivia’s worst drought in a quarter of a century, which led to the country declaring a state of emergency last week, has been exacerbated by climate change, mining, large-scale agriculture, population growth in cities and poor infrastructure, according to campaigners. Environmentalists and supporters of land rights argue the drought has revealed the damage caused by mining, which diverts and contaminates water, and soya and cane farming, which has led to deforestation and increased water use. The government says it is working with international partners on an ambitious plan for sustainable development that will include measures such as increasing access to clean drinking water.
Bolivia’s worst drought in a quarter of a century, which led to the country declaring a state of emergency last week, has been exacerbated by climate change, mining, large-scale agriculture, population growth in cities and poor infrastructure, according to campaigners. Environmentalists and supporters of land rights argue the drought has revealed the damage caused by mining, which diverts and contaminates water, and soya and cane farming, which has led to deforestation and increased water use. Shortages have also been intensified by the climate-change-induced 40% shrinkage of two large glaciers in the country 1983 and 2006.