In 2023, the United Nations weather agency reported that the world’s rivers faced the driest conditions in over three decades due to extreme heat, leading to prolonged droughts and significant water shortages affecting billions. The report highlights the impact of climate change on water availability and calls for improved data collection to better manage and respond to these challenges.
In 2023, the global river systems experienced the most severe drought in over 30 years, as reported by the United Nations weather agency. The extreme heat of the year has exacerbated water flow reduction and resulting droughts in various regions. “Water is the canary in the coalmine of climate change. We receive distress signals in the form of increasingly extreme rainfall, floods and droughts which wreak a heavy toll on lives, ecosystems and economies,” stated WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo at the release of the report. The rising temperatures have caused the hydrological cycle to become increasingly volatile, yielding more unpredictable patterns of precipitation that lead to both droughts and floods. The “State of Global Water Resources 2023” report provides a comprehensive overview of various water sources, including rivers, lakes, reservoirs, groundwater, soil moisture, terrestrial water storage, snow cover, glaciers, and evaporation rates. According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), approximately 3.6 billion individuals lack sufficient access to water for at least one month a year, a figure projected to rise to 5 billion by the year 2050. The WMO emphasized that 70% of global water extraction is utilized for agricultural purposes. The year 2023 has been documented as the hottest year globally, with an unparalleled record of extreme summer temperatures, prompting concerns regarding a potential follow-up of similar climate conditions in 2024. “In the (last) 33 years of data, we had never such a large area around the world which was under such dry conditions,” remarked Stefan Uhlenbrook, Director of Hydrology, Water and Cryosphere at the WMO. Numerous regions, including the southern United States, Central America, and countries in South America such as Argentina, Brazil, Peru, and Uruguay, have suffered from extensive drought, registering the lowest water levels ever recorded in the Amazon and Lake Titicaca. Additionally, the Mississippi River basin has likewise faced alarming low water levels. The WMO estimates that half of the world encountered reduced river flow conditions last year. With ongoing data collection for 2024 still pending, Uhlenbrook cautioned that the excessively hot summer is likely to result in continued low river flows, suggesting worsening water scarcity in many global regions. Low-water situations have adversely affected river navigation, particularly in Brazil, as well as triggered food crises in Zimbabwe and other southern African territories this year. The WMO has called for enhanced data collection and dissemination to facilitate a clearer understanding of global water resources and to assist nations and communities in effectively responding to these pressing challenges.
The report released by the United Nations weather agency underscores the critical state of the world’s freshwater resources, addressing the implications of climate change and its erratic effects on the hydrological cycle. The significance of this report lies in its revelation of how severely elevated temperatures have influenced both drought and flood patterns, leading to widespread water shortages and their consequential effects on agriculture, ecosystems, and human livelihoods. As the global population continues to grow and climate variability increases, understanding the state of water resources is paramount for planning and response measures.
The findings of the WMO highlight the urgent need to address water scarcity driven by climate change, emphasizing the rising global demand for freshwater resources. With billions of individuals facing inadequate access to water, the potential for crises in agriculture and food security is alarmingly high. Enhanced monitoring and data sharing will be crucial in empowering nations to adapt their strategies to manage water resources effectively. The situation mandates immediate action to mitigate adverse effects and safeguard water for future generations.
Original Source: www.washingtonpost.com
