in efforts to turn once barren deserts into cotton fields in Kazakhstan
The Aral Sea was the 4th largest lake of the world covering an area the size of Ireland,
but has been reduced to a 10th of that size.
Leaving behind 15,000 square miles of toxic salty lake bed.
Sandstorms toss 150,000 tons of it into the air yearly, resulting in intensified climate extremes,
and increased rates of cancer & lung disease in the region.
Below are some before & after aerial pictures spanning from 1973 to 2000:
The Aral Sea was the 4th largest lake of the world covering an area the size of Ireland,
but has been reduced to a 10th of that size.
Leaving behind 15,000 square miles of toxic salty lake bed.
Sandstorms toss 150,000 tons of it into the air yearly, resulting in intensified climate extremes,
and increased rates of cancer & lung disease in the region.
Below are some before & after aerial pictures spanning from 1973 to 2000:
