Environmental issues in Peru
Encyclopedia
The principal environmental issues in Peru are water pollution
, soil erosion and pollution
and deforestation
. Although these issues are problematic and equally destructive, the Peruvian Environmental ministry has been developing regulation and laws to decrease the amount of pollution created in major cities and have been making policies in order to decrease the present deforestation rate.
. In recent years deforestation has increased and deforestation now causes about 18% of green house emissions
. Peru
has the fourth largest area of rainforest
in the world, which covers nearly 60% of its territory( 70 million hectares) and approximately 250,000 hectares are cut down annually. Unfortunately, the deforestation rate in Peru is .35%-.5%, which is approximately 250,000 hectares cut down annually .Deforestation in Peru is largely a result of subsistence farming resulting from migrant farmers exploiting the squatter's law which allows citizens to get public land if they can prove that they have lived there for 5 years. More deforestation though, is caused by both legal and illegal logging, mining
, petroleum
drilling and road development.
Mr. Brack
, the Environmental minister in Peru, has said that deforestation is mostly caused by Andean
farmers migrating to the Amazon
, by new roads and gold
mining, he plays down the contribution to deforestation caused by oil and gas
companies.
The Peruvian government has said that 80% of Peru's primary can be saved or protected. Mr. Brack has said that his ministry has calculated that Peru needs about $25 million a year for the next 10 years to be able to conserve at least 54 million hectares. That the Peruvian government has committed $5 million a year and is looking for $20 million a year from the international community. He continues that 52 million hectares will be divided into 4 parts, 17 million hectares of national park
s which are already in existence, 12 million hectares for 42 indigenous groups, 12 million hectares for sustainable forestry development
, and 5 million for Eco-tourism. Germany has already committed $5 million for the national Parks, Holland is interested in funding for indigenous groups and Mr. Brack is hoping for funds from Britain, Japan and Finland. The Environmental minister is also asking for 3,000 environmental police to try and stop deforestation in remote areas.
• percentage of land area: 53.7%
• Primary forest cover: 61,065,000 ha
• percentage of land area: 47.7%
• percentage total forest area: 88.8%
Deforestation Rates, 2000–2005
• Annual change in forest cover:-94,200 ha
• Annual deforestation rate:-0.1%
• Change in deforestation rate since '90s: 1.3%
• Total forest loss since 1990:-1,414,000 ha
• Total forest loss since 1990:-2.0%
Primary or "Old-growth" forests
• Annual loss of primary forests:-224600 ha
• Annual deforestation rate:-0.4%
• Change in deforestation rate since '90s: 214.7%
• Primary forest loss since 1990:-1,123,000 ha
• Primary forest loss since 1990:-2.9%
Forest Classification
• Public: 83.1%
• Private: 15.2%
• Other: 1.7%
• Use
• Production: 36.7%
• Protection: 0.5%
• Conservation: 26.9%
• Social services: n.s.%
• Multiple purpose: 26%
• None or unknown: 9.9
Forest Area Breakdown
• Total area: 68,742,000 ha
• Primary: 61,065,000 ha
• Modified natural: 6,923,000 ha
• Semi-natural: n/a
• Production plantation: 754,000 ha
• Production plantation: n/a
Plantations
• Plantation
s, 2005: 754,000 ha
• percentage of total forest cover: 1.1%
• Annual change rate (00-05): 7,800,000 ha
• Carbon storage
• Above-ground biomass
: n/a M t
• Below-ground biomass: n/a M t
Area annually affected by
• Fire
: 35,000 ha
• Insect
s: n/a
• Disease
s: n/a
Number of tree species in IUCN Red List
• Number of native tree species: 2,500
• Critically endangered: 33
• Endangered: 14
• Vulnerable: 54
Wood removal 2005
• Industrial roundwood
: 1,891,000 m3 o.b.
• Wood fuel
: 8,898,000 m3 o.b.
Value of forest products, 2005
• Industrial roundwood: $4,409,000
• Wood fuel: n/a
• Non-wood forest products (NWFPs): n/a
• Total Value: $4,409,000
is a big Problem in Peru, especially in Lima
, the capital city. Which is caused by industrial activity and vehicle emissions. In August 2006, air pollution in Lima surpassed the international standard by 122.1% The average concentration of PTS reached 166.57 micrograms per cubic meter, the international standard is 77 micrograms per cubic meter. In 2009, 1.5 tons of lead and 810 tons of sulphur dioxide, were emitted daily, which is four times the maximum allowed under Peruvian legislation
.
The Peruvian government has created an alert system for high levels of pollution. There are three levels: watch, danger and emergency. During an emergency, children, pregnant women, the elderly and the ailing may be asked to stay indoors. Those who are healthy enough to continue with their lives outside are advised to cover their mouths and noses with scarves or handkerchiefs—but not facemasks, because according to government spokesperson Carlos Rojas "people don't want images that further dramatize the situation." Also Peru is using "super tree' technology, created by Tierra Nuestra to try and fight the air pollution in the major cities. the super tree acts like 1200 real trees, purifying the air. It sucks the outside air, and under thermodynamic pressure it combines the toxic particles in the air with water, and then pumps out clean air. Unfortunately, there are byproduct to the process, which include mud and non potable water. The Super Tree cleans approximately 200,000 cubic meters of air per day, eliminating air pollutions like carbon dioxide
.
, sewage
and oil related waste. Peru has 1746 cu km of renewable water resources and 86% of this water is used for farming and 7% for industrial activity. In urban areas only 87% and in rural areas 62% of the population have access to clean water. In major cities 3.0 million tons of waste per year is created. President Alan García campaigned for a "water for all" strategic program, that proposed that and investment of 185 water pipes and sanitation
projects. The objective of this program is to expand potable water services from 76%-88% of households; Sanitation from 57%-77%; and sewage from 22%-100% by 2015.
Lake Titicaca
is a specific concern to Puno in southeastern Peru because of its spiritual and historical significance. Contamination and pollution of the lake seriously affects the health of those that depend on it because the monitoring and testing of the lake is primitive, underfunded and very polluted. Because of violence in around the area the government is only now addressing the problem.
According to the Oxfam
report, more than half of Peru's rivers are extremely polluted in the North the Chillón
, Yauli
and Mantaro in the central region; and the Chili River in the South.
practises. The use of contoured lines, cover crops and mulching can control erosion to some extent depending on the climate and the slope. Also, traditional methods can be used to prevent erosion like terracing
and agroforestry
.
Water pollution
Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies . Water pollution occurs when pollutants are discharged directly or indirectly into water bodies without adequate treatment to remove harmful compounds....
, soil erosion and pollution
Pollution
Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into a natural environment that causes instability, disorder, harm or discomfort to the ecosystem i.e. physical systems or living organisms. Pollution can take the form of chemical substances or energy, such as noise, heat or light...
and deforestation
Deforestation
Deforestation is the removal of a forest or stand of trees where the land is thereafter converted to a nonforest use. Examples of deforestation include conversion of forestland to farms, ranches, or urban use....
. Although these issues are problematic and equally destructive, the Peruvian Environmental ministry has been developing regulation and laws to decrease the amount of pollution created in major cities and have been making policies in order to decrease the present deforestation rate.
Deforestation
Deforestation is a growing problem in the world today, especially concerning the amazonian rainforestAmazon Rainforest
The Amazon Rainforest , also known in English as Amazonia or the Amazon Jungle, is a moist broadleaf forest that covers most of the Amazon Basin of South America...
. In recent years deforestation has increased and deforestation now causes about 18% of green house emissions
Greenhouse gas
A greenhouse gas is a gas in an atmosphere that absorbs and emits radiation within the thermal infrared range. This process is the fundamental cause of the greenhouse effect. The primary greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere are water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone...
. Peru
Peru
Peru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean....
has the fourth largest area of rainforest
Rainforest
Rainforests are forests characterized by high rainfall, with definitions based on a minimum normal annual rainfall of 1750-2000 mm...
in the world, which covers nearly 60% of its territory( 70 million hectares) and approximately 250,000 hectares are cut down annually. Unfortunately, the deforestation rate in Peru is .35%-.5%, which is approximately 250,000 hectares cut down annually .Deforestation in Peru is largely a result of subsistence farming resulting from migrant farmers exploiting the squatter's law which allows citizens to get public land if they can prove that they have lived there for 5 years. More deforestation though, is caused by both legal and illegal logging, mining
Mining
Mining is the extraction of valuable minerals or other geological materials from the earth, from an ore body, vein or seam. The term also includes the removal of soil. Materials recovered by mining include base metals, precious metals, iron, uranium, coal, diamonds, limestone, oil shale, rock...
, petroleum
Petroleum
Petroleum or crude oil is a naturally occurring, flammable liquid consisting of a complex mixture of hydrocarbons of various molecular weights and other liquid organic compounds, that are found in geologic formations beneath the Earth's surface. Petroleum is recovered mostly through oil drilling...
drilling and road development.
Mr. Brack
Antonio Brack Egg
Antonio José Brack Egg , is an agronomist engineer, an ecologist, and researcher. He was the first Peruvian Minister of the Environment...
, the Environmental minister in Peru, has said that deforestation is mostly caused by Andean
Andes
The Andes is the world's longest continental mountain range. It is a continual range of highlands along the western coast of South America. This range is about long, about to wide , and of an average height of about .Along its length, the Andes is split into several ranges, which are separated...
farmers migrating to the Amazon
Amazon Basin
The Amazon Basin is the part of South America drained by the Amazon River and its tributaries that drains an area of about , or roughly 40 percent of South America. The basin is located in the countries of Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, and Venezuela...
, by new roads and gold
Gold
Gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au and an atomic number of 79. Gold is a dense, soft, shiny, malleable and ductile metal. Pure gold has a bright yellow color and luster traditionally considered attractive, which it maintains without oxidizing in air or water. Chemically, gold is a...
mining, he plays down the contribution to deforestation caused by oil and gas
Oil and gas
Oil and gas are two commonly associated fossil fuels. The phrase may refer to:*Oil and gas field*Oil and gas law in the United States-See also:* Gasoline* Heating oil* Hydrocarbon exploration* Natural gas* Petroleum industry* Petroleum...
companies.
The Peruvian government has said that 80% of Peru's primary can be saved or protected. Mr. Brack has said that his ministry has calculated that Peru needs about $25 million a year for the next 10 years to be able to conserve at least 54 million hectares. That the Peruvian government has committed $5 million a year and is looking for $20 million a year from the international community. He continues that 52 million hectares will be divided into 4 parts, 17 million hectares of national park
National park
A national park is a reserve of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a sovereign state declares or owns. Although individual nations designate their own national parks differently A national park is a reserve of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a sovereign state declares or...
s which are already in existence, 12 million hectares for 42 indigenous groups, 12 million hectares for sustainable forestry development
Sustainable forest management
Sustainable forest management is the management of forests according to the principles of sustainable development. Sustainable forest management uses very broad social, economic and environmental goals...
, and 5 million for Eco-tourism. Germany has already committed $5 million for the national Parks, Holland is interested in funding for indigenous groups and Mr. Brack is hoping for funds from Britain, Japan and Finland. The Environmental minister is also asking for 3,000 environmental police to try and stop deforestation in remote areas.
Peru forest figures
• Total forest area: 68,742,000 ha• percentage of land area: 53.7%
• Primary forest cover: 61,065,000 ha
• percentage of land area: 47.7%
• percentage total forest area: 88.8%
Deforestation Rates, 2000–2005
• Annual change in forest cover:-94,200 ha
• Annual deforestation rate:-0.1%
• Change in deforestation rate since '90s: 1.3%
• Total forest loss since 1990:-1,414,000 ha
• Total forest loss since 1990:-2.0%
Primary or "Old-growth" forests
• Annual loss of primary forests:-224600 ha
• Annual deforestation rate:-0.4%
• Change in deforestation rate since '90s: 214.7%
• Primary forest loss since 1990:-1,123,000 ha
• Primary forest loss since 1990:-2.9%
Forest Classification
• Public: 83.1%
• Private: 15.2%
• Other: 1.7%
• Use
• Production: 36.7%
• Protection: 0.5%
• Conservation: 26.9%
• Social services: n.s.%
• Multiple purpose: 26%
• None or unknown: 9.9
Forest Area Breakdown
• Total area: 68,742,000 ha
• Primary: 61,065,000 ha
• Modified natural: 6,923,000 ha
• Semi-natural: n/a
• Production plantation: 754,000 ha
• Production plantation: n/a
Plantations
• Plantation
Plantation
A plantation is a long artificially established forest, farm or estate, where crops are grown for sale, often in distant markets rather than for local on-site consumption...
s, 2005: 754,000 ha
• percentage of total forest cover: 1.1%
• Annual change rate (00-05): 7,800,000 ha
• Carbon storage
• Above-ground biomass
Biomass
Biomass, as a renewable energy source, is biological material from living, or recently living organisms. As an energy source, biomass can either be used directly, or converted into other energy products such as biofuel....
: n/a M t
• Below-ground biomass: n/a M t
Area annually affected by
• Fire
Fire
Fire is the rapid oxidation of a material in the chemical process of combustion, releasing heat, light, and various reaction products. Slower oxidative processes like rusting or digestion are not included by this definition....
: 35,000 ha
• Insect
Insect
Insects are a class of living creatures within the arthropods that have a chitinous exoskeleton, a three-part body , three pairs of jointed legs, compound eyes, and two antennae...
s: n/a
• Disease
Disease
A disease is an abnormal condition affecting the body of an organism. It is often construed to be a medical condition associated with specific symptoms and signs. It may be caused by external factors, such as infectious disease, or it may be caused by internal dysfunctions, such as autoimmune...
s: n/a
Number of tree species in IUCN Red List
IUCN Red List
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species , founded in 1963, is the world's most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of biological species. The International Union for Conservation of Nature is the world's main authority on the conservation status of species...
• Number of native tree species: 2,500
• Critically endangered: 33
• Endangered: 14
• Vulnerable: 54
Wood removal 2005
• Industrial roundwood
Roundwood
Roundwood, historically known as Tochar , is a village in County Wicklow, Ireland. It was listed as having a population of 589 in the census of 2006....
: 1,891,000 m3 o.b.
• Wood fuel
Wood fuel
Wood fuel is wood used as fuel. The burning of wood is currently the largest use of energy derived from a solid fuel biomass. Wood fuel can be used for cooking and heating, and occasionally for fueling steam engines and steam turbines that generate electricity. Wood fuel may be available as...
: 8,898,000 m3 o.b.
Value of forest products, 2005
• Industrial roundwood: $4,409,000
• Wood fuel: n/a
• Non-wood forest products (NWFPs): n/a
• Total Value: $4,409,000
Air pollution
Air pollutionAir pollution
Air pollution is the introduction of chemicals, particulate matter, or biological materials that cause harm or discomfort to humans or other living organisms, or cause damage to the natural environment or built environment, into the atmosphere....
is a big Problem in Peru, especially in Lima
Lima
Lima is the capital and the largest city of Peru. It is located in the valleys of the Chillón, Rímac and Lurín rivers, in the central part of the country, on a desert coast overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Together with the seaport of Callao, it forms a contiguous urban area known as the Lima...
, the capital city. Which is caused by industrial activity and vehicle emissions. In August 2006, air pollution in Lima surpassed the international standard by 122.1% The average concentration of PTS reached 166.57 micrograms per cubic meter, the international standard is 77 micrograms per cubic meter. In 2009, 1.5 tons of lead and 810 tons of sulphur dioxide, were emitted daily, which is four times the maximum allowed under Peruvian legislation
Legislation
Legislation is law which has been promulgated by a legislature or other governing body, or the process of making it...
.
The Peruvian government has created an alert system for high levels of pollution. There are three levels: watch, danger and emergency. During an emergency, children, pregnant women, the elderly and the ailing may be asked to stay indoors. Those who are healthy enough to continue with their lives outside are advised to cover their mouths and noses with scarves or handkerchiefs—but not facemasks, because according to government spokesperson Carlos Rojas "people don't want images that further dramatize the situation." Also Peru is using "super tree' technology, created by Tierra Nuestra to try and fight the air pollution in the major cities. the super tree acts like 1200 real trees, purifying the air. It sucks the outside air, and under thermodynamic pressure it combines the toxic particles in the air with water, and then pumps out clean air. Unfortunately, there are byproduct to the process, which include mud and non potable water. The Super Tree cleans approximately 200,000 cubic meters of air per day, eliminating air pollutions like carbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide is a naturally occurring chemical compound composed of two oxygen atoms covalently bonded to a single carbon atom...
.
Water pollution
Water pollution sources in Peru include industrial wasteIndustrial waste
Industrial waste is a type of waste produced by industrial activity, such as that of factories, mills and mines. It has existed since the outset of the industrial revolution....
, sewage
Sewage
Sewage is water-carried waste, in solution or suspension, that is intended to be removed from a community. Also known as wastewater, it is more than 99% water and is characterized by volume or rate of flow, physical condition, chemical constituents and the bacteriological organisms that it contains...
and oil related waste. Peru has 1746 cu km of renewable water resources and 86% of this water is used for farming and 7% for industrial activity. In urban areas only 87% and in rural areas 62% of the population have access to clean water. In major cities 3.0 million tons of waste per year is created. President Alan García campaigned for a "water for all" strategic program, that proposed that and investment of 185 water pipes and sanitation
Sanitation
Sanitation is the hygienic means of promoting health through prevention of human contact with the hazards of wastes. Hazards can be either physical, microbiological, biological or chemical agents of disease. Wastes that can cause health problems are human and animal feces, solid wastes, domestic...
projects. The objective of this program is to expand potable water services from 76%-88% of households; Sanitation from 57%-77%; and sewage from 22%-100% by 2015.
Lake Titicaca
Lake Titicaca
Lake Titicaca is a lake located on the border of Peru and Bolivia. It sits 3,811 m above sea level, making it the highest commercially navigable lake in the world...
is a specific concern to Puno in southeastern Peru because of its spiritual and historical significance. Contamination and pollution of the lake seriously affects the health of those that depend on it because the monitoring and testing of the lake is primitive, underfunded and very polluted. Because of violence in around the area the government is only now addressing the problem.
According to the Oxfam
Oxfam
Oxfam is an international confederation of 15 organizations working in 98 countries worldwide to find lasting solutions to poverty and related injustice around the world. In all Oxfam’s actions, the ultimate goal is to enable people to exercise their rights and manage their own lives...
report, more than half of Peru's rivers are extremely polluted in the North the Chillón
Chillón
Chillón is a municipality in Ciudad Real, Castile-La Mancha, Spain. It has a population of 2,271....
, Yauli
Yauli
Yauli may refer to:* Yauli Province* Yauli District, Huancavelica* Yauli District, Jauja* Yauli District, Yauli...
and Mantaro in the central region; and the Chili River in the South.
Soil erosion
Peru's topography makes in susceptible to soil and wind erosion. The cost of Peru is subject to wind erosion and water erosion is dominant in Sierra. Erosion also occurs in the High Selva when vegetation is cleared and in Low Selva where they get much rain on areas under slash and burnSlash and burn
Slash-and-burn is an agricultural technique which involves cutting and burning of forests or woodlands to create fields. It is subsistence agriculture that typically uses little technology or other tools. It is typically part of shifting cultivation agriculture, and of transhumance livestock...
practises. The use of contoured lines, cover crops and mulching can control erosion to some extent depending on the climate and the slope. Also, traditional methods can be used to prevent erosion like terracing
Terrace (agriculture)
Terraces are used in farming to cultivate sloped land. Graduated terrace steps are commonly used to farm on hilly or mountainous terrain. Terraced fields decrease erosion and surface runoff, and are effective for growing crops requiring much water, such as rice...
and agroforestry
Agroforestry
Agroforestry is an integrated approach of using the interactive benefits from combining trees and shrubs with crops and/or livestock.It combines agricultural and forestry technologies to create more diverse, productive, profitable, healthy and sustainable land-use systems.-Definitions:According to...
.