London: Human-induced climate change is significantly worsening drought conditions across Europe, with extreme heat, rather than low rainfall alone, driving much of the continent’s exceptionally dry conditions, according to a new study by an international team of scientists.
Large parts of Europe are currently experiencing a severe drought, with countries including France and Romania facing shrinking rivers, water-use restrictions and widespread wildfires following a record-breaking heatwave in June.
The study, conducted by the World Weather Attribution group, found that rising global temperatures have accelerated the loss of moisture from soils, rivers and lakes, making droughts more severe even in areas where rainfall has not declined significantly.
According to Mariam Zachariah of Imperial College London, who co-authored the research, the current drought is being driven more by a warmer atmosphere than by a lack of rainfall.
Researchers explained that higher temperatures increase evaporative demand, meaning the atmosphere draws more moisture from land and vegetation. As a result, drought conditions develop more quickly and become more intense.
Using weather observations and climate models, scientists compared today’s climate with a world that was 1.4°C cooler. They found that extremely dry soil conditions are now five times more likely in western Europe and 11 times more likely in eastern Europe because of climate change.
The study also found that exceptionally high evaporative demand between April and June was around 80 times more likely in western Europe under current climate conditions.
Scientists warned that climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, including droughts, floods and heatwaves, with Europe continuing to be the fastest-warming continent in the world.
