Peru’s Cordillera Blanca rapidly melting, threatens ecosystem

A warming process in Peru’s Cordillera Blanca – the Andean country’s most important glacier system – is causing ice and snow to melt at an accelerated rate, jeopardizing ecosystems, water supplies and the safety of Peruvians in the region, the country’s main water authority reiterated this week.

Huanchaco farmers encouraged to take on hydroponic farming to save water

The city of Huanchaco has launched a hydroponic pilot project to help local farmers grow lettuce, radishes and other crops and, most importantly, to save water. Only 350,000 milliliters of water will be needed to grow 250,000 lettuces, while regular farming techniques require 20 million liters of water to produces barely 100,000 lettuces, said Huanchaco [...]

Peru Agriculture Ministry to extract freshwater from fog for irrigation

Peru’s Agriculture Ministry will install 100 “fog catchers” along Lima’s coast to extract freshwater from fog and use it for irrigation purposes, reported daily Peru21. Because of unreliable and low rainfall, Peru’s coastal agricultural boom is completely reliant during the dry season on woefully inadequate irrigation infrastructure that draws water from increasingly hard-to-reach aquifers, and [...]

Climate Change Adaptation Program to be implemented in Departments of Cuzco and Apurímac

Peru’s Environment Ministry and Switzerland’s Agency for Development and Cooperation, or Cosude, are to implement a Climate Change Adaptation Program in Peru’s Departments of Cuzco and Apurímac, daily La República reported Monday. “By ratifying the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol, Switzerland has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and [...]

Peru farmers launch indefinite strike to protest water laws, Machu Picchu railway cut off and dozens of roads blocked

Peru farmers demanding the repeal of laws they say privatize the administration of water for irrigation and farming launched a nationwide indefinite strike Thursday, snarling traffic on major highways, and halting trains to Machu Picchu, the Andean country’s top tourist attraction.

Oil spill affects community in northern Peru

An oil spill in a northern Peruvian quarry has reportedly contaminated more than 10,000 square meters affecting a nearby community and its fresh water supply. According to CNR radio, the oil spill occurred Wednesday morning in the China Linda quarry, which is part of the Yanacocha mine owned by Colorado-based Newmont. The former lieutenant governor [...]