Mega-Droughts Intensify Globally Due to Climate Change, Study Finds

New research highlights a 40-year increase in the frequency, scale, and severity of prolonged droughts driven by rising temperatures and altered water cycles.

• A study by Swiss and Austrian researchers reveals that global drought-affected areas have expanded by 50,000 square kilometers annually over the past four decades.
• The research attributes the rise in mega-droughts to climate change, with higher temperatures causing increased evaporation and shifts in precipitation patterns.
• Prolonged droughts, such as those in Chile (15 years), the western U.S. (2008-2014), and Australia (2017-2019), result in severe economic, societal, and ecological impacts, including water shortages, crop failures, and heightened wildfire risks.
• The study warns of potentially irreversible damage to ecosystems, particularly in tropical and boreal regions, where tree die-offs and long recovery times are expected.
• Researchers emphasize the need for improved understanding and long-term strategies to mitigate the effects of enduring drought periods exacerbated by climate change.

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