Even as the debate of climate change hotly rages between the superpowers, what doesn’t seem to be in focus is the actual evidence of the effects of climate change in the interior areas of countries across the world. One large and alarming incident slowly unfolding as the worst effect of climate change in Spain is the gradual decline of the Tagus River which is drying up. The Targus River is the largest river in the Iberian peninsula and is split between Portugal; and Spain. Stretching for 1000 km across both countries, it empties into the Atlantic. But!! What was once a huge impressive river is now a trick ling stream in some places marked by cracked and dry river beds.
One particular Study published in Science October 2016, issued grave warnings how Spain would soon turn into an arid desert by 2100 because of climate change. The study also claimed that the region was being warmed by climate change by more than the set global average.
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It also mentioned that besides climate change, it was an irresponsible human activity that was contributing to the rapid decline of the river. This could well be a problem worldwide and not just in Spain.
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Lead researcher of the study Joel Guiot discussed in his study how humans are slowly devastating the area and will continue to do until they decide to change. Humans are also contributing to deforestation of the area. “You change the vegetation cover, the albedo, the humidity in the soil, and you will emphasize the drought when you do that,” he said.
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Forests are slowly being uprooted to make way for agriculture expansion and farming land. In his worst case scenario, he said that temperatures were at risk of increasing 5 degrees worldwide. This is in sharp contrast to the Paris agreement which has capped a rise of 1.5 degrees.
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According to a study published in Nature Climate Change, there are slim chances of maintaining this figure and there is only a 1 percent chance that such a figure could be achieved. Such problems are the bones that will lead to permanent decline of the Targus River.
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Currently, the range of increase in global temperature is 2.0-4.9 degrees centigrade. There is a 5% chance that will fall to 2 degrees and a 1% chance to 1.5 degrees centigrade. So in effect the Paris agreement hasn’t really made a difference at all. To accomplish a target within the frame of the Paris Agreement, humans would have to reduce their carbon footprint at a faster intensity.
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The lead researcher of this study stated “If we want to avoid 2C, we have very little time left. The public should be very concerned.” But the biggest problem is a lack of concern and awareness.
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The Targus River has been dammed almost 52 times. In fact it was reported that the Government has even passed legislation allowing the siphoning of the Targus if there was a surplus. The biggest problem with this is that there has been no room made for droughts.
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Researchers are now urging people to reduce their carbon footprints and become more are of global warming to maintain the standards set by the Paris Agreement so that the World Rivers will be secure and safe or else like the decline of the Targus River, many more will face the same fate.
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