Scientists from Switzerland warned of the threat of "mega-droughts" on Earth: what awaits humanity

Swiss scientists warn that "mega-droughts" are spreading around the world, and the impact of these droughts will be felt by all of humanity. They have been getting hotter and more widespread since 1980.

A new study emphasizes that persistent multi-year droughts will continue to spread as the climate warms. These forty years of data clearly demonstrate the threatening climate change caused by human activity, ScienceDaily reports.

Researchers from the Swiss Federal Institute of Forest, Snow, and Landscape Research (WSL) found that between 1980 and 2018, prolonged droughts increased the global area of the affected territory by an average of about 50,000 square kilometers per year. For comparison, this is an area larger than Switzerland.

A threat to humanity

Experts explained that such changes have occurred due to rising temperatures associated with climate change. This leads to greater fluctuations in precipitation and at the same time increases evaporation from soil and vegetation.

This disruption reduces drinking water supplies and can also lead to massive crop failures, food insecurity, increased tree mortality, and more forest fires, as has already been seen in recent years.

"Long-term droughts cause enormous economic damage, for example in agriculture and electricity production," said study leader Dirk Karger.

One striking example of these alarming trends is Chile's fifteen-year mega-drought, the longest in a thousand years. It has nearly depleted the country's water reserves, severely affecting agriculture and vital mining operations, Earth.com reports.

Identifying hidden droughts

To solve the problem of consistently identifying extreme long-term droughts, the researchers analyzed global meteorological data from 1980 to 2018.

By calculating anomalies in precipitation and evapotranspiration – the combined evaporation and transpiration of plants - the scientists were able to map the occurrence of mega-droughts across the planet, even in remote areas such as the rainforests and the Andes.

"Our method not only mapped well-documented droughts but also shed light on extreme droughts that have flown under the radar," explained WSL Senior Research Scientist and co-author Dirk Karger.

The study results highlight how ecosystems respond differently to rising temperatures. Temperate grasslands were the most affected, while boreal and tropical forests initially showed resilience or unexpected responses.

The study not only changes the way humanity thinks about drought but also highlights the critical need for better preparation and policy measures to deal with increasingly severe and more persistent drought conditions.

As climate change progresses, the insights gained from this research will be critical to shaping a sustainable future for ecosystems, agriculture, and water management around the world, the scientists emphasize.

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!