Global Freshwater Resources Decline: Impact of Climate Change and Drought
A recent study reveals a sharp decline in global freshwater resources since 2014, attributed to climate change and extreme weather events. The analysis, based on satellite data, shows a decrease in freshwater availability equivalent to over two and a half times the volume of Lake Erie. The findings highlight increasing reliance on groundwater and the associated risks of resource depletion, famine, and disease, emphasizing the urgent need for proactive measures.
An international research team has identified a significant decline in the Earth’s freshwater supply, beginning in May 2014, which has persisted ever since. Drawing from data acquired through NASA and German satellites, the researchers posited that this continuing trend may indicate a protracted dry phase for the planet’s continents. Between 2015 and 2023, it was revealed that terrestrial freshwater supplies, which encompass lakes, rivers, and groundwater, were approximately 290 cubic miles (1,200 cubic kilometers) deficient compared to the 2002 to 2014 average. Matthew Rodell, a hydrologist at NASA and co-author of the study, equated this loss to more than two and a half times the volume of Lake Erie. The study emphasizes that during droughts, particularly with the escalation of irrigated farming, reliance on groundwater intensifies, leading to a detrimental cycle: dwindling freshwater reserves, insufficient rainfall and snow for replenishment, and increased extraction of groundwater. This situation has dire implications for communities and agriculture, amplifying the risks of famine, conflict, poverty, and disease, especially as people turn to unsafe water sources, as underscored by a 2024 United Nations report on water stress. Monitoring these global freshwater declines was facilitated by NASA’s Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellites, a cooperative venture between NASA and the German Aerospace Center. By measuring variations in Earth’s gravity, the satellites provide insights into fluctuations in water mass above and below the surface. The first GRACE satellites operated from 2002 until 2017, and their successors, GRACE-Follow On (GRACE-FO), launched in 2018, continue to assess global water levels. The onset of this freshwater decline coincided with severe droughts in Brazil, followed by significant droughts in regions including Australasia, South America, North America, Europe, and Africa. These dry spells were associated with unusually warm ocean temperatures in the tropical Pacific, which contributed to a major El Niño event from late 2014 to 2016, disrupting global rainfall patterns by altering atmospheric jet streams. Notably, even after the El Niño subsided, freshwater levels have failed to rebound. The study reported that 13 of the 30 most critical droughts recorded by GRACE satellites occurred post-2015, suggesting a possible correlation between climate change and persistent freshwater depletion. Warming trends lead to increased atmospheric moisture retention, resulting in more extreme weather events, notably heavy rainfalls. However, according to NASA meteorologist Michael Bosilovich, extended dry spells between such rainfall events hinder soil’s ability to absorb and store water, complicating groundwater replenishment. “When there is extreme precipitation, the water tends to run off rather than soak into the ground,” Bosilovich stated. He further noted that higher temperatures elevate both evaporation rates and the atmosphere’s moisture retention capacity, exacerbating drought conditions. While the evidence points to climate change as a possible factor in the depletion of freshwater resources, the complexity of climate models and measurements adds an element of uncertainty, as noted by hydrologist Susanna Werth of Virginia Tech, who did not participate in the study. It remains ambiguous whether global freshwater levels will revert to pre-2015 figures, stabilize, or continue their downward trajectory. Given that the nine hottest years on record align with the commencement of this freshwater decline, Rodell expressed concern, stating, “We do not think this is a coincidence, and it could be a sign of what is to come.”
The article discusses a significant decline in global freshwater resources, which began in May 2014, as indicated by a study utilizing satellite data from NASA and German sources. This decline is linked to various climate factors, including droughts influenced by climatic phenomena such as El Niño and ongoing climate change processes. As agriculture and urban areas increasingly depend on groundwater during these dry periods, the sustainability of water resources and the potential for humanitarian crises are raised as major concerns. The findings have generated significant discourse on the implications of climate change on freshwater availability, nurturing the need for strategic resource management and climate action.
In conclusion, the decline in global freshwater resources since 2014 poses a critical challenge exacerbated by climate change and prolonged drought conditions. The reliance on groundwater during these periods contributes to the depletion of freshwater reserves, with severe implications for agriculture and communities worldwide. Despite indications of the influence of climate change, uncertainties remain regarding future freshwater trends. The necessity for urgent action to address these challenges cannot be overstated, as these issues could signal a concerning trend for global water sustainability.
Original Source: www.businesstoday.in
