'Magic Lake Baikal'

From 2200 submissions my work 'Magic Lake Baikal' has been selected along with 249 other works for KlimaatExpo '22.

I am happy that my digital work, dedicated to the problems of drinking water and especially Siberian Lake Baikal, can reach the Dutch public.

Lake Baikal in Siberia is the oldest and deepest lake in the world. It contains so much fresh water that it could meet the drinking water needs of the entire world population for a period of 5 years and 75% of the animal species living there are found nowhere else. Lake Baikal listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO is home to the world's only freshwater seals. Seriously threatened, this unique ecosystem faces pollution caused by factories bordering it, also by climate change causing domino effect. That the earth is warming is no secret. That warming is even faster in Russia: 1.5 to 2 times faster. Especially in regions like eastern Siberia. Over the past 20 years higher water temperatures have caused changes in the amount and composition of diatoms in Lake Baikal. And a few years ago, agitation grew over a 1,700-kilometre-long outfall to carry 190 million litres of pure water a year to China. We should not risk the ecological value of Lake Baikal by this water project!

With my artwork, I try to focus attention on the source of our existence - fresh water, the most important gift of Mother Nature.

I consider Lake Baikal not only the largest freshwater reservoir in the world, but also an ancient jewel that has inspired researchers and scientists, artists and tourists over the centuries for its new discoveries. We the people must ensure that our future generations would be able to admire the pure waters of Baikal and unravel all the secrets of this unique and mysterious lake.

www.lucybesson.com