Re: SC32

http://www.livescience.com/environment/061210_ap_african_lakes.html

Vast African Lake Levels Dropping Fast

........“All these lakes are extremely sensitive to climate change,'' the U.N. Environment Program warned in a global water assessment two years ago.

Now, in a yet unpublished report obtained by The Associated Press, an international consulting firm advises the Ugandan government that supercomputer models of global-warming scenarios for Lake Victoria “raise alarming concerns'' about its future and that of the Nile River, which begins its 4,100-mile northward journey here at Jinja.

The report, by U.S.-based Water Resources and Energy Management International, says rising temperatures may evaporate up to half the lake's normal inflow from rainfall and rivers, with “severe consequences for the lake and its ability to meet the region's water resources needs.''

A further dramatic drop in Victoria's water levels might even turn off this spigot for the Nile, a lifeline for more than 100 million Egyptians, Sudanese and others.

“People talk about the snows of Kilimanjaro,'' said Aris P. Georgakakos, the study's chief author, speaking of that African mountain's melting glaciers. “We have something much bigger to worry about, and that's Lake Victoria.'' .............

.............It is such unanticipated ripple effects -- from abrupt environmental change -- that underlie the warnings worldwide about global warming. Scientists find another unexpected example in Lake Tanganyika, where they say warmer surface waters may be depleting fish stocks.

Many African lakes go unvisited by scientists, but what is known is troubling enough, says veteran researcher Robert E. Hecky, of Canada's University of Waterloo. “It is some of the most imperative data we have, that global climate change can be affecting these African water bodies,'' he said...................

............“Businesses are standing still, not working. Fishermen can't get enough fish. We do not have enough water supplies,'' Muramuzi said. “Rains alone won't bring back the lake levels, because there would still be climate change, a lot of heat, evaporation. It's reached a point where people don't know what to do.''...................