A landmark report, the World Drought Atlas, has warned that record-breaking droughts are becoming the new normal, with billions affected worldwide. Released ahead of the COP16 summit on land degradation in Saudi Arabia, the report underscores the urgent need for global action to address drought risks exacerbated by climate change.
Droughts, often overshadowed by sudden disasters like floods or earthquakes, are one of the world’s costliest and deadliest hazards. This year, destructive dry spells have ravaged regions from Ecuador and Morocco to Namibia and the Mediterranean, further straining already vulnerable ecosystems and economies.
The atlas, supported by the EU and UN, predicts that by 2050, up to 75% of the global population could feel the effects of drought in some form.
The World Drought Atlas highlights how droughts can trigger cascading crises, such as energy disruptions, global trade delays, and public health threats. For instance, drought-affected hydroelectric plants may lead to higher energy costs or outages, exacerbating the toll during heatwaves. Similarly, shipping disruptions in major waterways like the Panama Canal can strain supply chains worldwide.
The report urges governments, businesses, and policymakers to radically rethink drought management strategies. UN Secretary-General António Guterres described the COP16 summit as a moonshot moment to address droughts and restore degraded land.
The UNCCD aims to restore 1.5 billion hectares of land by 2030 to counteract escalating desertification and drought impacts.
As the world’s hottest year on record draws to a close, the World Drought Atlas serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to tackle one of humanity’s most pressing environmental challenges.
