Environmental issues in Peru

The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) estimates that the economic losses related to climate change could reach over 15% of national gross domestic product (GDP) by 2100.{{cite web|url=http://www.cepal.org/en/pressreleases/climate-change-peru-seen-affecting-fishing-high-andes-livestock-and-agricultural|title=Climate change in Peru seen affecting fishing and High Andes livestock and agriculture|publisher=www.cepal.org|access-date=25 February 2016}} In 2010, Peruvian greenhouse gas emissions represented only 0.4% of global emissions.{{cite web|url=https://unfccc.int/files/ghg_data/ghg_data_unfccc/ghg_profiles/application/pdf/per_ghg_profile.pdf|title=Emissions Summary for Peru|publisher=United Nations|access-date=25 February 2016}} However, emissions are rising nationwide – particularly in the energy and transport sectors. In an effort to combat this, the Government of Peru approved a law to establish a national greenhouse gas inventory system called INFOCARBONO. INFOCARBONO will enable different ministries to include greenhouse gas management in their work.{{cite web|url=http://ledsgp.org/resource/perus-national-climate-law-a-critical-step-towards-reducing-global-emissions/?loclang=en_gb|title=Peru's National Climate Law: A critical step towards reducing global emissions|publisher=Low Emission Development Strategies Global Partnership (LEDS GP)|access-date=25 February 2016}}

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{{excerpt|Deforestation in Peru}}

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Air pollution is a big problem in Peru, especially in Lima, the capital city, which is caused by industrial activity and vehicle emissions. In August 2006, air pollution in Lima surpassed the international standard by 122.1% The average concentration of PTS reached 166.57 micrograms per cubic meter, the international standard is 77 micrograms per cubic meter. In 2009, 1.5 tons of lead and 810 tons of sulphur dioxide, were emitted daily, which is four times the maximum allowed under Peruvian legislation.{{cite web|url=http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=35822 |title=PERU: Gasping for Clean Air in La Oroya |publisher=Ipsnews.net |access-date=18 October 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110610221341/http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=35822 |archive-date=10 June 2011 }}

The Peruvian government has created an alert system for high levels of pollution. There are three levels: watch, danger and emergency. During an emergency, children, pregnant women, the elderly and the ailing may be asked to stay indoors. Those who are healthy enough to continue with their lives outside are advised to cover their mouths and noses with scarves or handkerchiefs—but not facemasks, because according to government spokesperson Carlos Rojas "people don't want images that further dramatize the situation." Also Peru is using "super tree" technology, created by Tierra Nuestra to try and fight the air pollution in the major cities. The super tree acts like 1200 real trees, purifying the air. It sucks the outside air, and under thermodynamic pressure it combines the toxic particles in the air with water, and then pumps out clean air. Unfortunately, there are byproduct to the process, which include mud and non potable water. The Super Tree cleans approximately 200,000 cubic meters of air per day, eliminating air pollutions like carbon dioxide.{{cite web|url=https://www.expertsure.com/2009/04/29/peru-uses-new-super-tree-technology-to-fight-air-pollution/|title=EcoLocalizer - News & commentary on urban planning, bike advocacy, and our world.|work=EcoLocalizer|access-date=18 October 2014}}

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Water pollution sources in Peru include industrial waste, sewage and oil related waste. Peru has 1746 cu km of renewable water resources and 86% of this water is used for farming and 7% for industrial activity. In urban areas only 87% and in rural areas 62% of the population have access to clean water. In major cities 3.0 million tons of waste per year is created.{{cite web|url=http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Americas/Peru-ENVIRONMENT.html|title=Environment - Peru - problem, farming|publisher=Nationsenecyclopedia.com|access-date=18 October 2014}} President Alan García campaigned for a "water for all" strategic program, which proposed investment in 185 water supply and sanitation projects. The objective of this program is to expand potable water services from 76% to 88% of households; Sanitation from 57% to 77%; and sewage from 22% to 100% by 2015.

Lake Titicaca is a specific concern to Puno in southeastern Peru because of its spiritual and historical significance. Contamination and pollution of the lake seriously affects the health of those that depend on it because current monitoring and testing of the lake is primitive and underfunded. Because of violence in and around the area the government is only now addressing the problem.[http://www.fsdinternational.org/ntlopps/country/peru/environment] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090419234325/http://www.fsdinternational.org/ntlopps/country/peru/environment|date=April 19, 2009}}

According to the Oxfam report, more than half of Peru's rivers are extremely polluted in the North the Chillón, Yauli and Mantaro in the central region; and the Chili River in the South.

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Peru's topography makes it susceptible to soil erosion. The coast of Peru is subject to wind erosion and water erosion is dominant in Sierra. Erosion also occurs in the High Selva when vegetation is cleared and in Low Selva where they get much rain on areas under slash and burn practises. The use of contoured lines, cover crops and mulching can control erosion to some extent depending on the climate and the slope. In addition, traditional methods can be used to prevent erosion like terracing and agroforestry.{{cite web|url=http://www.jswconline.org/content/45/3/417.abstract|title=Soil erosion studies in Peru|publisher=Jswconline.org|access-date=18 October 2014}}

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