Glacial peaks in the Carabaya Mountain Range provide abundant water to Macusani through glacier runoff. However, Peru's glaciers are retreating rapidly due to global warming, threatening future water supply. Local school teachers discuss global warming and its potential to cause a water crisis with their students. There is also concern that proposed uranium mining could impact water quality and quantity in the region, exacerbating existing conflicts between communities and extractive industries over water access.

2. Macusani’s backdrop is the Carabaya Mountain Range, principally the
Allinccapac and Chinchiccapac glaciered peaks. These two mountains
reach close to 6,000 metres above sea level. Glacier runoff provides most
of Macusani with abundant water.
Macusani, Puno Carabaya province, Peru
Photos by Annie Bungeroth

3. Peru’s glaciers are retreating at an alarming rate because of global
warming.

4. “We spend several weeks a
term talking about global
warming and the effects it
will have on us,” said
Carlos Enriquez, teacher at
the local school.
“Our students are already
aware that there is a
possible water crisis
coming if nothing is done,”
he added.

5. There is some concern that uranium mining could have an impact on the
quantity and quality of water. Problems over water are the main flash points
between communities and extractive companies throughout the Peruvian
highlands. Water is at the heart of most of these conflicts.

6. Peru holds nearly 5 percent of the world’s water. Despite this amount of liquid
it is ranked as critical when it comes to water supply.
This contradiction is because 97.7% of the country’s water is on the eastern
slopes of the Andes, flowing to the Amazon and Brazil. Lima, the Peruvian
capital with 8 million people, is the world’s second largest city built in a desert
after Cairo, Egypt.

7. Macusani, the “alpaca capital of the world”, is more than 4,300 metres
above sea level limiting economic opportunities to alpaca herding.

8. Families subsist on less than $2 a day.

9. Lucas, 7yrs son of an alpaca farmer.

10. There are more than 1 million
heads of alpaca in Carabaya,
most of them in Macusani.
The average herd size is about
90 animals, but farmers need a
minimum of 300 animals to
make a liveable income.

11. The country’s 167,000 alpaca-raising families have an average of 21
animals and earn about $600 annually from the sale of wool. This puts
nearly all of them in a state of critical poverty.

12. To find out more about PROEXPOSURE
contact our friendly team
on +44 (0)20 7275 8472
or email Louise Norton proexposure@gmail.com
Sources
Matilde Riquelme, head of the local chapter of the Peruvian Society of Alpaca and Llama Farmers (SPAR)
Government’s National South American Camelid Council (CONACS)
Carlos Enriquez, teacher
Puno Human Rights Ombudsman’s Office
Cesar Portocarrero, glacier specialist, ITDG-Practical Action
National Environmental Council (CONAM)