New Zealand has been brought to its knees by the worst drought in 30 years. Pictures of dreadfully barren and scorched land have been coming through in the international news, but none so devastating as the one in which a farmer is shown shooting a cow for lack of food.
Farmers have been the worse hit. But in Wellington the water supply is now only 18 days left, and the South Island could also see the brunt of it soon.
There is some good news: some rain has been forecast for the weekend, but at this stage there is little that can reserve the damage already done.
The incredible devastation has even been captured by the ISS, the International Space Station. The emerald island has turned from green to a light, scorched brown.
New Zealand is a farming economy and this hit will have long lasting impact. The estimates are that the farmers will have lost revenues of about 820 million dollars. The government is now stepping in, after having declared a drought emergency, with some relief.
Most scientists are agreed that this phenomenon, in a land that is known for lush, green expanses, is a harbinger for climate change.
There is one silver lining in all this: the wineries are jubilant, as dry weather makes the wine better.
Source; bbc news 3.15.13
No comments:
Post a Comment