Water cycle and Water Security

Question 1

Case study: Amazon fires

Answer 1

Brazilian army deployed to tackle after international pressure

• 80,000 fires since January 2019
• 200 million cattle (1/4 of global market) and is main driver for deforestation
• slash and burn

Question 2

Case study: Drought in the Sahel

Answer 2

• occupies transitional climate zone
• annual variability in rainfall (warm sea surface temp > weakens African monsoon and contributes to drought)
• climate change makes rainfall unpredictable
• overgrazing and deforestation on marginal land