A recent study indicates that the land area affected by drought has tripled since the 1980s. In 2023, nearly half of the Earth experienced extreme drought for at least one month. The report warns that these conditions pose severe threats to water security, public health, and food systems, particularly in vulnerable regions like South America and the Middle East. Health impacts include increased food insecurity, malnutrition, and the spread of mosquito-borne diseases. Experts call for urgent climate action to mitigate these dangers.
A recent study published by the Lancet Countdown has highlighted a dramatic increase in the extent of land affected by drought over the past four decades. The report finds that in 2023, nearly half of the Earth’s land surface was impacted by at least one month of extreme drought, a significant rise from an average of 15% noted in the 1980s. Furthermore, approximately 30% of the world experienced extreme drought conditions persisting for three months or more, in stark comparison to just 5% in the 1980s. The analysis reveals the alarming speed at which droughts are becoming more severe, posing immediate threats to water availability, food security, and public health. With recent patterns indicating a shift in global rainfall due to climate change, certain regions have become increasingly susceptible to severe drought, with particularly stark conditions reported in South America, the Middle East, and the Horn of Africa. The report indicates that the threshold for extreme drought—characterized by six months of significantly reduced rainfall or excessive evaporation—has been met in many areas, leading to dire consequences for farming, water supply, and local economies. As the climate continues to change, so too does the variability of both rainfall and drought, further complicating these environmental challenges. For example, areas like the Amazon basin are experiencing not only drought but also intense periods of rainfall, illustrating the intricate relationship between these two phenomena. The implications of these drought conditions extend beyond environmental concerns; the health effects are particularly troubling. The study estimates that drought conditions have exposed an additional 151 million individuals to food insecurity since the 1990s, contributing to increased malnutrition rates and notable spikes in heat-related fatalities among the elderly. Alongside this, climate change and altered weather patterns have facilitated the spread of mosquito-borne diseases, such as dengue and malaria, into new geographical areas, further exacerbating health risks. In regions such as northeast Syria, the prolonged drought has left cities like Hasakah grappling with a severe lack of accessible clean water, fostering additional public health crises. Similarly, South Sudan has faced a dual onslaught of drought and flooding, leading to critical shortages of nutritious food and a rise in health-related issues among the population impacted by these unfriendly climatic events. Failure to address greenhouse gas emissions and curtail global temperature increases will likely result in further exacerbation of drought and precipitation extremes. As highlighted by the report, 2023 has been recorded as the hottest year globally, emphasizing the pressing need for climate action to prevent reaching critical thresholds beyond which adaptation may no longer be feasible. Marina Romanello of the Lancet Countdown notes, “The climate is changing fast. It is changing to conditions that we are not used to and that we did not design our systems to work around.” This reflects a broader urgency for increased awareness, understanding, and proactive measures to combat the evolving climate crisis and its wide-ranging impacts.
The increase in drought conditions over the past four decades presents an alarming public health and environmental crisis. Drought impacts not only natural ecosystems but also local communities and their livelihoods, particularly in vulnerable regions. The study published by the Lancet Countdown draws on extensive data to elucidate the relationship between climate change and the rising prevalence of extreme drought, alongside the interconnected nature of drought and flooding patterns globally. Understanding these trends is critical to formulating effective response strategies to mitigate ongoing and future climate-related challenges.
In conclusion, the findings of the Lancet Countdown report highlight the urgent need for immediate action to address the multifaceted impacts of climate change, particularly as it pertains to increasing drought conditions. The substantial rise in both drought prevalence and severity underscores the importance of global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt public health systems to the changing climate. The stark realities faced by populations around the world serve as a reminder of the pressing need for coordinated international climate action to safeguard both human health and environmental integrity.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
