According to a recent study published in the journal Nature Climate Change, global flash droughts are expected to increase in frequency due to our warming climate, posing a growing threat to croplands worldwide.
The study reviewed data from the past 70 years and analyzed the connection between climate change and flash droughts to determine the level of risk to crops. The results showed that over the past five decades, the frequency of flash droughts has increased exponentially, affecting more than three times the croplands compared to previous years.
Further analysis revealed that prolonged periods of high temperatures cause soils to dry out rapidly, leading to flash droughts that can devastate crops within weeks. The findings of the study are deeply concerning, particularly when combined with the continuing rise in global temperatures projected over the next decades.
As the planet warms, flash droughts will become even more frequent, with scientists predicting that more than half of the global croplands will be exposed to flash drought conditions by the end of this century.
This trend presents significant dangers for the global food supply, as flash droughts destroy crops that would otherwise provide much-needed sustenance to communities worldwide.
Besides that, the risk to global food security is not limited to developing countries; flash droughts are a growing threat to even highly developed agricultural economies, significantly impacting crop yields and production.
It is essential that policymakers and agricultural organizations acknowledge the risks of global flash droughts and act swiftly to develop and implement strategies to adapt to the threat of flash droughts. The findings of this study underscore the critical need for proactive measures to strengthen global food security and sustainable development in the face of a changing climate.
Edited by Zeng Han-Jun
Written by Juliana Rodriguez
Terra Link Research 