Scientists Warn of Impending 'Day-Zero-Droughts' by 2030s
Scientists warn of impending 'Day-Zero-Droughts' due to climate change. A new forecast predicts severe water shortages in many cities worldwide, with some hotspots facing crisis as early as this decade.
Extreme water scarcity occurs when rainfall is low, evaporation is high, and water flows into rivers and reservoirs are insufficient. Human water consumption exacerbates the problem. Climate change will increase the frequency and duration of heatwaves and droughts, leading to more 'Day-Zero-Droughts'.
Vecchia Ravinandrasana and Christian Franzke of Busan University predict future 'Day-Zero-Droughts' based on the latest climate models. Under moderate climate protection measures, 51% of today's drought-prone regions will face extreme water shortages by 2100. In high emission scenarios, this increases to 74%. By 2100, nearly three-quarters of today's drought-prone regions will not be able to provide water to their residents at some point. Up to 753 million people worldwide, including 467 million in urban areas, will be at risk.
Cities are particularly vulnerable and should urgently adopt water-saving plans. While no 'Day-Zero-Droughts' have occurred yet, metropolises like Rome, Cape Town, and Chennai have come close. The first 'Day-Zero-Droughts' are predicted in drought-prone regions where low rainfall, high evaporation, and unadapted human water withdrawals combine. Global efforts to mitigate climate change are crucial to prevent widespread water crises.
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