Chile drought may prompt water management rethink

Subject

The impact of the current drought on water management proposals.

Significance

Chile is divided as to whether a severe and prolonged drought that now extends to almost all the country is a result merely of the El Nino oscillation or also of climate change. However, it presages the latter's expected effects and has highlighted deficiencies in the management of water resources.

Impacts

• Climate change forecasts suggest that rainfall in agricultural southern Chile could fall by 40% over the next 15 years.
• The drought's impact on food prices will hamper recovery of consumer confidence, currently at its lowest level since 2008-09.
• Conflicts over water use are likely to increase, particularly between farmers and mining companies in northern Chile.