A group of researchers from around the world concluded in a study published Wednesday that human-caused climate change “at least 20 times increased the likelihood” of drought in the northern hemisphere.
The study said that the risk of soil drying out, such as that witnessed in Europe, China and the United States, could recur under the current climate once every 20 years compared to once every 400 years, or even less than that in the absence of warming.
The study was conducted by researchers from the World Weather Attribution network, which includes a constellation of pioneering scientists in the field of study of the causal relationship between extreme natural phenomena and climate change.
The study indicated that “climate change caused by human activity has increased the probability of occurrence of surface drought by at least five times, and increased the probability of occurrence of agricultural and environmental drought by at least 20 times.”
Many European countries suffered from the drought phenomenon in the summer, starting with France, where rivers dried up and several regions were forced to impose a rationing system for water use. Parts of the United States and China have also been affected by this phenomenon.
The repercussions of this drought were reflected on the agricultural sector, as crops declined at a time when the world is witnessing a rise in food prices.
The drought also led to forest fires and disruptions in electricity production, especially hydraulic and nuclear power.
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