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Key Risk
• Exacerbated droughts and dry spells causing water
shortages and water insecurity, with associated
negative impacts on agriculture productivity,
human health and energy production, leading to
economic loss and harm to health.
• Irreplaceable loss of water supply.
• Meltwater might contain harmful metals which
can pose a health risk to those using it (also
indirectly through agriculture).
• Loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services.
• Death, injury and loss of livelihoods and other
valuables.
• Damage and destruction of infrastructure and
communication systems.
Summary of key hazards, vulnerabilities and risks
(continued)
Climate Hazards
Droughts
(continued)
Glacier melt
• Accelerated and
advanced glacial
melting of glaciers/
disappearance of
glaciers
• Increase of glacial
lake outburst floods
(hazard specific to
Peru only)
Key Vulnerability
NB It is somewhat difficult to know exactly what is caused by
climate change and what is caused by climate variability. The
drought in the Colombian highlands and the Peruvian southern
Andes, and the flooding in the southern Andes are not because of
climate change but because of ENSO. However the effects of ENSO
(and El Niño) seem to be exacerbated by the effects of climate
change: generally this translates into dry areas getting even dryer
and wet areas, wetter (at least during some periods of the year).
• Decreaseddry-seasondischarge/diminishedwater availability,
leading to increased water-resources-related vulnerability:
Cities and communities heavily reliant on glacial meltwater
in dry periods/seasons are most vulnerable
Water supply less reliable for ecosystems that adapted to
conditions created by glaciers – especially wetlands.
• Communities with cultural and/or religious ties to glaciers
and snow-capped mountains.
• Specific local areas dependent on ice and snow-related
tourism.)
• Mainly: glacier retreat can exacerbate current water-resources-
related vulnerability.
• People (and infrastructure) living below rapidly melting
glaciers without adequate monitoring and early warning
systems.
• Inadequate governmental attention to risk reduction.
ECONOMIC
ENVIRONMENTAL
SOCIAL
ECONOMIC
SOCIAL
INSTITUTIONAL
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