Impact of Climate Change in Central Asia. Case study: Uzbekistan

Gilfanova Irina, Gilfanova Irina, Chief of Information Department, Chief of Information Department, Youth Environmental Network of Uzbekistan.Youth Environmental Network of Uzbekistan.Forum on the Current Challenges of Climate ChangeQuezon City, July 5, 2011

Uzbekistan is the agro-industrial country with predomination of agriculture part in the economy, which is based on irrigated agriculture.

BackgroundBackground

Peculiarity of Uzbekistan is the usage of over 90% of all accessible water resources for irrigation needs. Water resources of transboundary rivers of Aral Sea basin (to which Uzbekistan belongs) are fully regulated and distributed between countries-water users, and Uzbekistan is the major water user.

BackgroundBackground

At present time there is significant deficiency of water resources in the region, and this problem is complicated by Aral Sea crisis.

BackgroundBackground

Formerly one of the four largest lakes in the world with an area of 68,000 square kilometres (26,300 sq mi), the Aral Sea has been steadily shrinking since the 1960s after the rivers that fed it were diverted by irrigation projects.

BackgroundBackground

Recent reports state traces of Aral salt have been found l000 km to the southeast of the sea in the fertile Fergana Valley, in Georgia on the Black Sea coast, and even along the arctic shore

By 2007 it had declined to 10% of its original size. From exposed salty bed (35 thousand km2) up to 100 million tons of salty dust flew out annually.

Main warming indicators in Uzbekistan Main warming indicators in Uzbekistan and Central Asian region in whole are the followings:and Central Asian region in whole are the followings:

-air temperature increasing (especially at night, which changes our climate from acutely continental);

-increasing of year’s hot period;

-increasing of high temperatures reiteration;

-decreasing of number of frosty days and days with snow cover;

-decreasing of mountains’ snow-glacier resources, enriching the rivers.

CC consequences for Uzbekistan:CC consequences for Uzbekistan:

- Critical shortage of water resources;- Increase of average temperature;

- Irregularity of precipitates – changing precipitate regime;- Change of species using for agricultural cultivation;

CC consequences for Uzbekistan:CC consequences for Uzbekistan:

-Redistribution of natural habitats of most flora and fauna species, and, therefore, cardinal change of ecological processes, produced products and functions;

- Aggravation of desertification processes, and, therefore, fewer lands for habitation and potential activities;-Public health problems related to higher temperature regime;

Climate change victims: Climate change victims:

The entire population is suffered from water shortage, but mostly those population groups whose livelihoods and earnings directly depend on water availability, farmers, for instance;

In 2000 the strongest drought for 100 years was fixed. The level of water in all rivers dropped to 20-40 % of the average level

Famine struck more than 1 million people, mostly in rural areas. Our government wasn’t able to solve this issue and requested global community for additional funds

Climate change victims: Climate change victims:

Climate change will negatively affect the biodiversity of the country, i.e. people who depend on availability of biological resources, that is, all population.

Vulnerable groups: Vulnerable groups:

Thank you for your attention!Thank you for your attention!