# Experts say 60-year-long Chilean drought could be permanent - Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2019/07/experts-say-60-year-long-chilean-drought-could-be-permanent/ - Published: 2019-07-28T00:22:01-04:00 - Author: greenlivingguy EMILY PRICE reporting for [PSUVANGUARD](https://psuvanguard.com/experts-say-60-year-long-chilean-drought-could-be-permanent/) on JULY 22, 2019 on the Chilean drought. A drought that is the worst drought in 60 years. It has been ongoing in Chile since 2007. This is of course all according to Al Jazeera. However scientists are now saying it may be permanent. By the year 2030, Chile’s capital, [Santiago](https://greenlivingguy.com/2019/03/chile-has-first-floating-solar-farm/), and other regions too. All are estimated to see increased temperatures. That’s with some left without drinking water indefinitely. So the UNFCCC reported the Chilean government has made plans to investigate.  They investigate the Chilean drought with [desalination](https://greenlivingguy.com/2016/07/desalination-helping-or-hurting-our-environment/) plants and reservoirs. All to ensure water access to the public and farmers. No reports yet have been made on the progress. ![60 year long chilean drought drained lake aculeo Courtesy of united nations climate change](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/img_0554. jpg?resize=780%2C263&quality=52&ssl=1 "img_0554 - The Green Living Guy") 60 year long Chilean drought drained Lake Aculeo Courtesy of United Nations Climate Change The drought has led to a significant decrease in copper production. So higher energy prices and more occurrences of forest fires. That’s  according to the UN’s Framework Convention on Climate Change. Around 70% of Chile’s population lives in drought- prone areas. Finally, many now struggle to maintain their livelihood through agriculture. According to Al Jazeera, local farmers are struggling to produce enough goods to make a living. That’s because there is almost no usable drinking water. None for either their livestock or the farmers themselves. The farmers are then forced to sell their animals and their land. Because they cannot afford to sustain their numbers of crops and livestock Lake Aculeo a popular getaway outside Santiago was once a 4.6 square mile lake. Even with a depth of 20 feet. The lake’s water level began to decline in 2011. That’s until it was completely drained in May 2018. Once a busy tourist destination during hot summer months. Now Lake Aculeo’s small businesses and campsites are now suffering. Suffering from the lack of visitors, according to employees. In conclusion, Easter Island is another region of the Chilean drought heavily affected. Also affected by climate change. The island’s wetland areas have almost completely dried up. Finally and according to Reuters, 2017 was the island’s driest year. That’s in the island’s history. In addition to the drought, the island has seen a significant increase in the size of swells. That’s what are eroding the land. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/df91669667126e1290c21ee0342c386e2da19d588d4d9ca6560bd82ed59a9641? s=300&d=monsterid&r=g) greenlivingguy The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author, Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions) # Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle by Seth Leitman # Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel # Green Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky # Solar Power For Your Home by David Findley # Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke # Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley # Build Your Own Small Wind Power System by Brian Clark Howard and Kevin Shea # and more green living books to follow. [See Full Bio](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/) [ ](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/)