Hello, all ESP users!
I recently read in the Baseline Study, page 15, that "Due to cotton imports from the Aral Sea region, the European Union is responsible for 20% of the Aral Sea shrinking".
What is Aral Sea shrinking?
"Since 1960, when the Aral Sea was the world's fourth largest lake, the Aral Sea has lost 75% of its water volume." (http://geography.about.com/library/faq/blqzaral.htm) This is due to massive water use for growing cotton.
An image: http://envis.maharashtra.gov.in/envis_data/files/Aral_Sea.jpg
What are the consequences of Aral Sea shrinking?
"The decrease in water level has led to severe environmental and salt problems which have changed the climate around the sea, resulted in dust storms that spread disease, and the deaths of many species in the salty lake." (http://geography.about.com/library/faq/blqzaral.htm)
Firstly, what I read shows that, by the products we buy, we are all responsible for environmental crisis like the Aral sea shrinking. Visit http://www.science-parliament.eu/forums/2010-water-footprint-and-virtual...
Also, why does EU still import cotton which causes this disaster? Consumers should be avoiding this product, but if they still buy it, I think the State itself should do something. It should stop the import of cotton using highly unefficient watering methods and other products. By doing this, the EU (which imports 20% of the cotton, so it's an important client) would be contributing to the end of this (as the responsability is of the ones who make it profitable) and it'd be sending a message: we won't tolerate environmental agressions like this!
What do you think?
