Substantial global cost of climate inaction
A new study reveals that climate change could lead to a significant global GDP loss of up to 10% if the planet warms by +3ºC, highlighting the substantial costs of inaction.
Droughts
Articles tagged with Droughts
Weather and climate extremes in 2023 impacting the globe with emerging features
The year 2023 saw unprecedented extreme weather events globally, with a record-breaking temperature increase of 1.45°C above pre-industrial times. Emerging features include earlier onset of heatwaves and increased simultaneous events in different parts of the world.
SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateApr 17, 2024
New approach needed to save Australia’s non-perennial rivers
A review of current research on Australia's non-perennial rivers highlights the need for a new type of research attention due to emerging threats from climate change and human impacts. The study emphasizes the importance of addressing knowledge gaps to preserve and protect these vital waterways.
New report ‘braids’ Indigenous and Western knowledge for forest adaptation strategies against climate change
A new report by a team of experts outlines an approach that combines Indigenous knowledge with Western science to develop more resilient forest management practices. The 'braided' approach aims to promote the health and diversity of forests, which are increasingly threatened by climate change.
UC Irvine scientist helps link climate change to Madagascar’s megadrought
A University of California, Irvine-led team has linked climate change to the years-long drought gripping southern Madagascar. The study uses remotely sensed observations and climate models to show that climate change is affecting the hydrological cycle, with a delayed onset of rainy seasons.
Australia on track for unprecedented, decades-long megadroughts
New research from ANU and other institutions predicts Australia will experience megadroughts lasting over 20 years, with consequences exacerbated by climate change. The study also found that 20th-century droughts in southwestern and eastern Australia were longer on average than pre-industrial times.
SourceAustralian National University·JournalHydrology and Earth System Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 1, 2024
UK's summer 2022 drought provides warning for future years
The UK's 2022 drought, the worst since 1976, emphasized the importance of early mitigation measures due to its rapid onset and extensive impacts on water resources, wildlife, and people. Improved monitoring and forecasting systems can help prevent similar extreme weather events in the future.
A global map of how climate change is changing winegrowing regions
A global map tracks changes in climate change impacts on wine production, highlighting regions at risk of excessive drought and heatwaves. Adaptation strategies, such as using drought-resistant grape varieties and management methods, can help preserve economic viability.
SourceINRAE - National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment·JournalNature Reviews Earth & Environment·DateMar 26, 2024
Artificial streams reveal how drought shapes California’s alpine ecosystems
Scientists used artificial stream channels to mimic the behavior of headwater streams in California, finding that shifting low-flow conditions impacted life cycles of organisms and biodiversity. The study shows that even slight changes can be consequential for ecosystems.
SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 18, 2024
Diverse habitats help salmon weather unpredictable climate changes
A new study shows that restored salmon habitat should resemble financial portfolios, offering fish diverse options for feeding and survival. This diversity helps the fish weather various conditions as the climate changes.
Drought, soil desiccation cracking, and carbon dioxide emissions: an overlooked feedback loop exacerbating climate change
Tufts scientists highlight the overlooked feedback loop between drought, soil desiccation cracking, and carbon dioxide emissions, which could accelerate climate change. The study suggests that soil's 80% carbon storage capacity is releasing increasing amounts of greenhouse gases as droughts trigger cracks in soils.
SourceTufts University·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 13, 2024
How climate change risks increase at a national scale as the level of global warming increases
A major research programme found that climate change risks to human and natural systems greatly increase with global warming, leading to droughts, flooding, crop yields decline, and loss of biodiversity. Limiting global warming to 1.5 ºC could reduce these risks by up to 61% in some countries.
Increased access to water a threat to nomadic livestock farmers
A new study from Uppsala University found that increased access to water in arid areas can lead to a surge in demand for water and pasture, threatening the livelihoods of nomadic livestock farmers. The research highlights the need for effective management of water infrastructure to ensure climate resilience.
Prosocial preferences produce socially-optimal outcomes for subsistence farming communities amid rising climate risks
A study suggests that promoting prosocial preferences in smallholder farming communities can minimize economic losses from extreme weather events. By diversifying risk transfer mechanisms and implementing formal insurance, communities can shield farmers from individual risks while protecting against collective-scale volatility.
SourcePrinceton School of Public and International Affairs·JournalNature Sustainability·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 14, 2024
Controlling root growth direction could help save crops and mitigate climate change
Researchers have found a highly conserved ethylene signaling pathway that can be targeted to control the direction of root growth, creating deeper root systems that hold on to carbon and remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This breakthrough could help engineer crops more resilient to climate change and drought.
Temperatures are rising, but soil is getting wetter — why?
A recent Harvard University study found that soil moisture increased across 57% of the US during summer between 2011-2020, contradicting the assumption that rising temperatures lead to drier soils. Precipitation, rather than temperature, is the primary driver of soil moisture trends.
SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalNature Water·DateFeb 8, 2024
USC researchers uncover biological circuit that protects plants from extreme conditions
Plants use their circadian clocks to regulate responses to changes in water and salinity levels, offering a new avenue for creating drought-resistant crops. The discovery of the ABF3 feedback loop reveals a delicate balance between boosting stress tolerance and maximizing growth and yield.
SourceKeck School of Medicine of USC·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 5, 2024
Alleviate the drought in the east Hungarian plains
The researchers conclude that intensive agricultural cultivation has reduced the landscape's water storage capacity, leading to severe droughts. Restoring natural habitats can restore soil structure, allowing for evapotranspiration and guaranteeing rainfall in drought years.
Pusan National University researchers decode key airflow pattern impacting global climate
A recent study published in npj Climate and Atmospheric Science reveals that changes in subtropical and midlatitude eddy activity control the variation of the Hadley cell edge latitude. The researchers analyzed 41 years of data and found associations with El Niño, La Niña, and the Arctic oscillation.
SourcePusan National University·Journalnpj Climate and Atmospheric Science·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 31, 2024
Spacing characteristics between vegetation could be a warning sign of degrading dryland ecosystems - study
A new study found that the spatial arrangement of plants in drylands can be a sign of environmental degradation. Healthy ecosystems adjust their structure to cope with stressors, but degraded ones lose this adaptability and become more prone to further decline.
SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 29, 2024
Paper provides a clearer picture of severe hydro hazards
A recent study examines the frequency of compound drought and pluvial flooding, as well as their reverse patterns, finding that 15.46% of meteorological droughts are succeeded by a pluvial the following season globally, with regional variability existing in Eurasia, western North America, South Asia, and Australia.
SourceUniversity of Arkansas·JournalWater Resources Research·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 24, 2024
Climate change may make wildfires larger, more common in southern Appalachian region
Researchers found that more extreme and frequent droughts could lead to a nearly five-fold increase in total area burned, from 231 sq mi in 2016 to over 17,000 sq mi by 2100. Fires would also become more frequent, returning to certain forest points every five years.
SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalFire Ecology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 17, 2024
Study examines how ad strategies of the Great Depression can inform today's crisis communications
Researchers studied newspaper ads from Dust Bowl states in 1934 to understand how businesses and companies reached consumers during a dual crisis. The study found that essential services used informational approaches while nonessential services relied on sensory appeals, offering valuable lessons for current mass media during emergencies.
Study quantifies how aquifer depletion threatens crop yields
Research reveals that aquifer depletion can curb crop yields even when it appears saturated enough to continue meeting irrigation demands. As groundwater dwindles, agricultural losses escalate, especially for corn and soybean yields.
Microplastics affect soil fungi depending on drought conditions
New research reveals that microplastic pollution affects soil fungi differently depending on moisture levels. In dry conditions, microplastics help retain water and may mitigate drought effects, while in well-watered environments, toxic chemicals leach into the soil, hindering fungal richness.
'Carbon vault' peat suffers greatly from drought
Researchers found that peat exposed to mild drought still absorbs some carbon, but extreme drought causes it to release carbon. Increasing biodiversity in peatlands does little to combat drought, contrary to previous assumptions.
SourceRadboud University Nijmegen·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·DateJan 10, 2024
Attribution of the extreme drought in eastern China in 2022 and its future risk
A recent study found that anthropogenic forcing increases the occurrence probability of a 2022Drought-like event by 56% due to changes in moisture and upward motion. Under low-emissions scenarios, drought risk declines, while high-emissions scenarios project a 79% higher chance.
SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAtmospheric and Oceanic Science Letters·DateJan 9, 2024
Colorado State researcher leads global study of extreme drought impacts on grasslands and shrublands
A global study led by Colorado State University scientists shows that extreme drought has been greatly underestimated for grasslands and shrublands. The study found that the loss of aboveground plant growth was 60% greater when short-term drought was extreme, exceeding previously reported losses.
SourceColorado State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 8, 2024
UH trains future agri-scientists to outsmart climate change threats to food crops
Researchers at UH are expanding research knowledge and building a new curriculum for students to address climate change impacts on food crops. They aim to improve plant growth and build resistance against extreme weather events, such as droughts and heat waves.
How tomato plants use their roots to ration water during drought
A new study by researchers at the University of California, Davis, reveals that tomato plants produce a water-repellent polymer called exodermal suberin to cope with drought. Without it, tomato plants are less able to withstand water stress.
Fleeing drought, vulnerable populations face flood risk in most African countries
According to a new study, African countries saw an 80% increase in people moving to rivers and cities during or after droughts, leading to increased flood risk. This resettlement pattern is expected to intensify due to climate change, exacerbating drought's impact on vulnerable populations.
Understanding atmospheric flash droughts in the Caribbean
Researchers identify Caribbean Islands as prone to rapid drought conditions known as flash droughts. A new drought index considers atmospheric demand for moisture to predict drying conditions earlier.
Trees are in trouble
A new study reveals that trees growing in wetter regions are more sensitive to drought, with up to 50% of species' ranges expected to become drier by 2100. Climate change models predict these areas will experience rapid drying, exposing trees to conditions beyond their adaptive capacity.
How a drought led to the rise of skateboarding in 1970s California
A cross-disciplinary study from the University of Cambridge reveals that a drought in southern California in the mid-1970s led to the explosive rise of professional skateboarding culture. The authors argue that small environmental changes can have profound effects on human behavior, stimulating cultural and technical innovation.
Drought and the rapid rise of skateboarding
A severe drought led to a surge in professional vertical skateboarding in Los Angeles, influenced by cultural, commercial, and environmental changes. The development of polyurethane wheels and sport-specific media contributed to the growth of the sport.
Money to burn: Wealthy, white neighborhoods losing their heat shields
A new study reveals that the protective effect of income has largely eroded in affluent neighborhoods over the past 40 years. This means that even if residents have more wealth, they won't be able to enjoy cooler temperatures as climate change worsens.
Scarborough researchers discover the waxy surface protecting plants might hold the key to developing stronger crops
Researchers have discovered that the waxy protective barrier around plants plays a role in sending chemical signals to other plants and insects. This discovery might eventually be harnessed to develop stronger plants that can deal with challenging environmental conditions.
600 years of tree rings reveal climate risks in California
A new study of 600 years of tree rings from the San Joaquin Valley reveals that climate extremes have been more severe and lasted longer than modern records, highlighting flood and drought risks in California. The research combines paleo information with synthetic weather generation to help understand and anticipate these risks.
How can we evaluate the quality of global water models?
Researchers evaluated global water models using new approach, finding inconsistencies in climate regions and water extremes, with implications for agriculture and groundwater use. The study highlights the need for improved model evaluation methods to inform decision makers and improve model development.
Professor Tao Jun's team at Yangzhou University analyses the molecular mechanism of PoWRKY71 in response to drought stress of Paeonia ostii
PoWRKY71 transcription factor regulates drought tolerance in Paeonia ostii by directly activating the light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b-binding protein gene. Overexpression of PoWRKY71 enhances drought tolerance, while silencing reduces it.
SourceNanjing Agricultural University The Academy of Science·JournalHorticulture Research·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 22, 2023
Danish researchers puncture 100-year-old theory of odd little 'water balloons'
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have found that quinoa's 'bladder cells' do not protect against salt and drought, but instead serve as a barrier against pests and diseases. The discovery could lead to more resilient quinoa varieties for global cultivation.
Accurate forecasting of the required precipitation for a recent drought recovery
A research team developed a multi-model projection system using the self-calibrating Effective Drought Index to predict drought and recommend cumulative precipitation for recovery. The required rainfall for drought recovery was estimated at 170 mm, 310 mm, and 440 mm for March, April, and May respectively.
SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateNov 14, 2023
Wildfire, drought cause $11.2 billion in damage to private timberland in three Pacific states, study finds
A new study found that wildfires and drought have led to a 10% reduction in the value of private timberland in three Pacific states over the past two decades. Climate change is attributed as the primary cause of this damage, with large wildfires causing an additional 8.7% loss.
SourceOregon State University·JournalJournal of Environmental Economics and Management·DateNov 12, 2023
The kids aren't alright: Saplings reveal how changing climate may undermine forests
Researchers studied how 4-year-old tree species respond to extended drought and heat, finding that different species have varying levels of drought tolerance. The study's findings can help shape forest management policy and understand future landscape changes.
SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalFrontiers in Forests and Global Change·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 3, 2023
How the relationship between the land and atmosphere facilitated the persistence of eastern China’s extreme weather and climate in summer 2022？
Compound extreme events like heatwaves and droughts in eastern China were prolonged by land-atmosphere coupling, leading to devastating impacts on agriculture. The study highlights the crucial role of soil moisture and energy exchange in sustaining these events.
SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAtmospheric and Oceanic Science Letters·DateNov 1, 2023
Drought conditions expose rivers to hotter water temperatures
Reduced water flows and rising atmospheric temperatures will warm rivers during droughts, posing challenges for aquatic life and ecosystems. Intense solar radiation and lower water flows accelerate warming, but certain management interventions can help offset high thermal extremes.
SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalHydrological Processes·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 18, 2023
In 2020, 30% of the Pantanal was burned to cinders by wildfires
A recent study using SENTINEL-2 satellite images estimated burned areas with 96% accuracy, revealing a much larger area affected by wildfires than previously thought. This higher precision will help improve estimates of greenhouse gas emissions and inform fire management decisions.
How to help save plants from extinction
A new study published in Conservation Physiology identifies the critical limits of plant function under stress, enabling more effective conservation strategies. By understanding these limits, conservationists can identify vulnerable species and allocate resources more wisely.
Wildfires threaten environmental gains in climate-crucial Amazon
Uncontrolled wildfires are threatening environmental progress in Brazilian Amazonia, a critical carbon sink. Deforestation rates have fallen, but fire counts remain high, driven by hotter and drier climate conditions.
SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateOct 16, 2023
New UNCG research will help better predict the health and sustainability of ‘grassy’ ecosystems
Researchers from UNC Greensboro have developed new methods to predict the impact of global changes on 'grassy' ecosystems, which cover 40% of the Earth's land surface. The study aims to improve mathematical models that forecast changes in these ecosystems, including food production, pollinators, and carbon sequestration.
SourceUniversity of North Carolina at Greensboro·JournalGlobal Change Biology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 13, 2023
Rivers may not recover from drought for years
Researchers have developed a new method to measure the duration and severity of hydrological droughts in streams and rivers, which can persist for up to 3.5 years after drought conditions end. The study found that baseflow droughts are strongly tied to groundwater levels and can impact water management and ecosystem services.
Syracuse paleoclimatologists use ancient sediment to explore future climate in Africa
A team of researchers analyzed ancient leaf waxes to study past rainfall and drought patterns. By comparing their data with climate models, they verified how well those models capture past climate change and improved the accuracy of future rainfall predictions.
Are we running out of water? Water security threatened by droughts and heatwaves worldwide
A global study reveals that extreme events over the last thirty years had substantial impacts on water use patterns, differing per sector and region. The domestic and irrigation sectors have the highest priority for water use worldwide, but stricter measures are often taken in favor of the domestic sector during extremes.
SourceUniversiteit Utrecht Faculteit Geowetenschappen·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 10, 2023
Soil bacteria prevail despite drought conditions
Recent research reveals that certain soil microorganisms persist and even thrive during drought periods, influencing ecosystem balance and plant growth. A novel method using water vapor measurement indicates that specific bacterial species become more active under simulated future climatic conditions.
Re-wetting is key for boosting CO2 storage in southern peatlands
Re-wetting southern peatlands along the US south Atlantic coast could significantly boost carbon storage and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. A new Duke University study reveals that maintaining water levels between 20-30 cm below the local water table can increase CO2 storage by up to 90%.
How climate warming could disrupt a deep-rooted relationship
Researchers found that climate change can cause a shift from high to low biomass fungal species, leading to simpler networks between trees. This disruption can have cascading effects on tree performance and ecosystem function. The study suggests that warming and drought may harm forest resilience by breaking down ectomycorrhizal networks.
Ohio’s droughts are worse than often recognized, study finds
Researchers developed an impacts-based thresholds approach to better prepare Ohio farmers for drought conditions. The method takes into account changes in soil moisture, crops, and livestock losses to provide earlier and more accurate notice of approaching droughts.
SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of Hydrometeorology·TypeObservational study·DateSep 13, 2023
Global droughts differ by coastal or inland location; only 40% accompanied by heatwaves
Research from Fudan University reveals that global droughts exhibit distinct characteristics based on their geographical location, with only 40% of coastal droughts accompanying heatwaves. The study developed a clustering algorithm to analyze drought events and found significant differences in symmetry between inland and coastal types.
SourceOcean-Land-Atmosphere Research (OLAR)·JournalOcean-Land-Atmosphere Research·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 12, 2023
Water quality deteriorating in rivers worldwide due to climate change and increasing extreme weather events
River water quality is deteriorating during extreme weather events, such as droughts, heatwaves, rainstorms, and floods. The study found that water quality tends to decline during these events due to increased contaminant transport and reduced dilution.
SourceUniversiteit Utrecht Faculteit Geowetenschappen·JournalNature Reviews Earth & Environment·TypeMeta-analysis·DateSep 12, 2023
‘This isn’t your grandfather’s climate': DOE funding supports extreme weather research
Researchers at the University of Oklahoma are receiving US DOE funding to explore atmospheric processes that lead to extreme weather events. The project aims to better understand blocking patterns and their impact on climate change, ultimately informing local, state, and national leaders on how to prepare for these events.