Costa Rica, known for its renewable energy efforts, is suffering from a severe drought and has begun rationing electricity to try to alleviate the situation, a move that highlights the country's reliance on hydroelectric power.
what's happening?
Costa Rica has been rationing electricity since mid-May due to low water levels in dams that power hydroelectric plants, which the country attributes to the ongoing El Niño weather phenomenon, according to Phys.org.
“This El Niño is the most complex in Costa Rica's history,” said Roberto Quiroz, director of the country's Electric Power Research Institute at ICE.
El Niño is a phenomenon that warms surface waters in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean, which can have ripple effects on weather changes.
In Costa Rica, El Niño can bring dry weather, especially in the Pacific region. This is because El Niño often shifts the jet stream south, which can result in less rainfall in Costa Rica's rainy season. This can affect agriculture and water supplies, and the dry weather can also increase the risk of forest fires.
Why is power rationing important?
The rationing decision highlights the fragility of Costa Rica's energy infrastructure, a country that relies heavily on renewable energy: About 99 percent of the country's electricity comes from renewable sources, about three-quarters of which comes from hydroelectric plants.
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While El Niño is a natural weather phenomenon, scientific consensus emphasizes that unfriendly human actions are exacerbating its effects, making it more severe and frequent. Costa Rica's current drought, combined with global warming, has significantly reduced water levels in hydroelectric dams, necessitating electricity rationing.
What is being done about electricity?
Rationing will mitigate the immediate challenges, but it is also important to consider sustainable long-term solutions. Diversifying energy sources and investing in resilient technologies are high on the agenda.
Additionally, individual efforts to conserve energy and support environmentally friendly practices are crucial in reducing climate risks.
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