Economist: Rainfall and GDP - How rainfall can affect economic growth

DEVELOPING countries are more at risk from climate change because of their dependence on agriculture, especially the subsistence sort with poor irrigation. Climate variability has a more severe impact on the economies in which agriculture is a large share of GDP. In Ethiopia, around 75% of the population are dependent on farming, which is almost entirely small-scale and rain-fed. A further 10% earn their living from livestock. During the famine of the 1980s, rainfall was well below average and growth plunged. Whether rainfall is an accurate indicator of GDP growth is another matter, however. This chart from the United Nations appears to show changes in GDP growth preceding similar changes in rainfall in certain years.

Kenna, Lupe Fiasco, & Justin Timberlak to Climb Mount Kilimanjaro For Charity

As seen on Okayplayer.com:

The list of crisis' that affect this world of ours is ever growing, but one major one that is often overlooked would be the water crisis. Many third world countries are being decimated due to lack of clean water, while the rest of the world looks on with blind eyes. Ethiopian born Singer Kenna has decided to do something about this. He has recruited Lupe Fiasco and Justin Timberlake to join him in climbing Mount Kilimanjaro (the highest peak in Africa) this fall, in a bid to raise money and awareness for the worldwide water crisis. Lupe says he plans on turning the climb into a friendly competition saying: "Part of the motivation is beating Kenna to the top. Sabotaging his tent, taking the lining out of his coat, lacing it with ants or something like that." Wow, who would have thought you can accomplish good deeds via publicity, and not just senseless rap beef. For further perspective on the water crisis check BBC. After the jump watch a fan made video for Mos Def's "New World Water" to hammer the point in further.



Here is a thought though...........while there, also address the fact that the iconic glacier on top of Kilimanjaro is shrinking. There is a present controversy over whether it is shrinking from lack of precipitation or global warming. I remember seeing it when I was a kid from Kenya and Tanzania. You might remember it from pictures or The Lion King.