Friday, August 15, 2003

The Death of Lake Tanganyika The Independent UK -- Lake Tanganyika in central Africa - where Henry Stanley delivered his immortal question, "Dr Livingstone, I presume?" - is in ecological crisis as a result of global warming. Studies by two independent teams of scientists have found local temperature rises and climate change have dramatically altered the delicate nutrient balance of the lake, Africa's second largest body of fresh water. This NASA satellite file image shows Lake Tanganyika in East Africa. They have discovered that the surface of the lake is getting warmer and that has meant the mixing of vital nutrients in the lake has diminished and cut the lake's fish population. The effect has had a dramatic impact on the local economy, with fishing yields plummeting by a third or more over the past 30 years and further decreases predicted. Lake Tanganyika has traditionally supplied between 25 and 40 per cent of the protein needs of the local people, citizens of the four countries bordering the lake, Burundi, Tanzania, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. (08/15/03) Blackouts in Paris CNN World -- Some 1,500 households in Paris suffered a weather-related power cut Tuesday night as France struggles to maintain energy supplies in extreme temperatures. Electricite de France (EDF) blamed the problem on unusually high temperatures affecting its buried cables. Paris, along with much of Europe, has been experiencing record temperatures for almost two weeks, with the summer already the hottest in France since 1947. French medical official Patrick Pelloux told CNN at least 100 people died from heat-related causes in eight days in the Paris area. ... France on Tuesday recorded its highest temperature since the heat wave began, with the mercury rising to 42.6C (108.8F) in the southeastern town of Orange. Extremely low water levels and steep demand from overworked air conditioners have forced French and German authorities to relax temporarily the operating rules governing power stations. Operators have been given government approval to discharge water into rivers at higher temperatures than normal. The move has triggered criticism from environmentalists, who accuse the government of putting industrial concerns ahead of the environment. ... Scientists say the consequences of rises in river temperature are not clear, but many varieties of fish are threatened once temperatures reach 28C (82F). In France, a limited number of power plants have reduced their energy output or shut down altogether. "We are mobilizing all possible means to develop production," Francois Roussely, EDF chairman, told RTL radio. "The biggest danger would be to lose electricity." (08/14/03) 8:05:47 AM

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