Overview

• Since 1981 atmospheric evaporative demand has intensified global drought severity by about 40%, according to the latest Nature study.
• The research attributes 51% of increased drought trends in Australia and 44% in Africa to higher evaporative demand driven by warming temperatures.
• Between 2018 and 2022 drought-affected areas expanded by 119% in Australia, 163% in southern South America and 141% in the western United States compared with 1981–2017.
• Scientists used high-resolution climate datasets and advanced AED models to isolate the atmosphere’s moisture demand from rainfall changes.
• Authors warn evaporative demand will continue rising with global warming and call for socioeconomic and environmental measures to safeguard water and food security.