IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON WATER RESOURCES, CASES OF MADAGASCAR

Water resources and environment

Deforestation in tropical rainforests adds more carbon dioxide to the atmosphere than the sum total of cars and trucks on the world’s roads. In Madagascar slash and burn agriculture is the most method practiced in the country. EDF says “Unless we change the present system that rewards forest destruction, forest clearing will put another 200 billion tons of carbon into the atmosphere in coming decades…,” So, this traditional farming method “Tavy” in Madagascar highlights the impacts of climate change. First, increases global warming, and second has an impact in the quality of water supply. As we have already known, trees capture greenhouse gases (GHGs) like carbon dioxide, preventing them from accumulating in the atmosphere. And also when trees are felled, they release into the atmosphere all the carbon they’ve been storing. In addition trees release water vapor into the atmosphere, so fewer trees means less rain. For that, the temperature rise during long time, and when the rain comes, the heavy rain, and very intense cyclone hit Madagascar. Therefore, concerning water resources, trees and plants act also as a natural barrier to slow water as it runs off the land. As a result, sea level rise have an impact in freshwater resources especially in the costs, the saltwater moves into freshwater and increase its salinity. Hail is also another impact of deforestation in weather and climate. In case of Antananarivo (Capital of Madagascar), last year, hail was reported caused by thunderstorm. After the hail has melted, it has the same effects on the environment as rain water.

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