Rising temperatures are leading to global drought. This is especially true in Kenya where the size of the lakes is decreasing, in Chad where islands are disappearing, or in Bostwana where deltas are being drained, a real threat to biodiversity and populations.
In Clyde, Ohio, the inhabitants prayed to make the rain fall without success, they then called on an Indian sorcerer who multiplied songs, dances and incantations to the deities, without success either.
Report on the site of Lake Nakuru in Kenya, victim of global warming and deforestation. From year to year the lake dries up and the thousands of flamingos that crossed there are becoming scarce. Drought is also affecting people. Commentary on factual images and archive images, interview with Polycap OKUMU, Nakuru Lake National Park Warden and Allain BOUGRAIN DUBOURG, President of the League for the Protection of Birds.
René DUMONT at the time of the Rio summit is very concerned about the greenhouse effect and its direct consequences on South and East Africa. This is an unprecedented drought caused by rich countries. 'Humanity’s survival,' he adds, lies in the high price of oil. He denounces the excessive consumption of countries like the United States, Canada and France. He believes that in the long run the survival of humanity is compromised.
Ségolène ROYAL goes to the Okavango delta at the Bostwana. She found that the water level is dropping and threatening the animals that live in the delta. Yann ARTHUS BERTRAND makes a film about the Bostwana. He believes that we must protect the river and the ecosystem, the animals and insists that it is necessary to understand how man looks at life around him.
Drought caused by global warming threatens Lake Chad and fish resources. This is an alarming finding by one of the fishermen. He used to live on an island and saw hippos, canoes and fish. To reach the water you have to dig deeper and deeper. Lake Chad has grown from 25,000 square kilometres to 5,000 square kilometres. Fish resources are declining and fish are smaller.
A helicopter flies over the Berg River in South Africa. Aerial views show the low flow of this stream. For a long time the inhabitants believed that this river would be completely drained. A plan called the "Water program" is intended to partially resolve this dryness. The trees along the river, pines, acacias, eucalyptus, planted at the beginning of the century were cut because they consumed much more water than the species of the country. Interviews with Marilyn JOSEPH, team leader "High altitude", Brian W. VAN WILGEN, doctor of ecology, initiator of the project "Working for water", and Manfred PAULSE, local project manager.