Drought In Our Modern World

Imagine an Earth before humans: vibrant green landscapes filled with the sound of birds, crystal blue water teaming with life, and a sky filled with fresh, clean air. Now imagine an Earth with humans: the landscape windswept, barren brown, dry, and cracked, lacking trees, the rivers, lakes, and oceans waves filled with skeletons entangled in slimy green algae, and birds dropping from the sky clad in sludge gasping last breaths filled with sticky and toxic gray air as violent storms bombard Earth last inhabitants. Is the human race flexible enough to adapt with and to our Earth as it changes?

Consequences Of Drought In Our Modern World
How would you describe the experience of succumbing to fatal dehydration, starvation, and complications of respiration due to drought? It depends on what you are: an animal (humans included), a plant, or an ecosystem. Drought is complex; the food we eat, the water we drink, and the air we breathe are contained within one place, planet Earth, and, for the time being, our only home. Presently, we, the human race, face challenges with options for adaptation to our changing environment. Drought occurs if dry weather persists over time, followed by insufficient precipitation. Changes in precipitation patterns usher in and boost temperatures, increasing the chances of fierce heat waves. Warmer temperatures from dawn unto night evaporate more water into the atmosphere, reduce snowpack, and increase snowmelt, creating a deficit in the water supply. Less water in the land makes the land dry and vulnerable to wildfires and floods, and more water in the air strengthens weather events, for example, heavier participation in some regions and lack thereof in others. 

The frequency of powerful weather events, such as participation and lack thereof, impacts ecosystems, leading to shifting climate zones. Earth has three climate zones, polar, temperate, and tropical, classified by their humidity, amount of precipitation, temperature, and seasons. Shifts in the climate zones create significant changes. Some regions experience heavier participation, such as flash floods or large amounts of snowfall in a short time period, which creates dry, arid conditions in other regions, thus further expanding the desert. As the water and land become warmer, cyclones and hurricanes shift to new regions, creating the perfect conditions for more frequent and stronger storms. Let us explore how these climate zones change and influence Earth's inhabitants.

The Effects Of Drought

Changes in climate zones influence the seasons, influencing what types of plants can grow in a given location, the migratory patterns of animals, and the locations where people can live. In the short term, seasonal changes shift agricultural crop regions, lower crop yields, and increase crop failure. In the long term, changes in crop types are required due to weather conditions, such as drought, flooding, saltwater intrusion, pests, and pathogens. Natural vegetation also shifts; dominant species die and are replaced by invasive species, further creating changes in pollination. Changes in seasons and pollination impact the migratory patterns of animals and bugs. Seasons may come earlier, later, or not at all, thus impacting what blooms and needs pollinating when. If pollinators such as bees show up at the wrong time, they may freeze to death or have nothing to pollinate; therefore, little to no fruit yields for animals or people to eat, or the water may not have thawed enough to release water for drinking or may have dried up, which can cause animals, humans included to suffer from starvation, dehydration, and even death. Other effects on people include job losses, economic infrastructure damage, food scarcity, water insecurity, geopolitical instability, health impacts from heat-related illness, the spread of infectious diseases through contaminated water, conflict, war, migration, and climate refugees.

The Domino Effects Of Drought
The domino effects of drought continue beyond crop failure or water scarcity. Drought and its consequences affect millions of people around the world. As changes in climate zones accelerate, recurring droughts are projected to become more severe and unbearable, potentially leading to widespread food and water shortages, economic losses, and suffering. For many, drought consequences are foreign and do not apply to them. However, changes in climate impact everyone, though the poorest and the most vulnerable among us suffer first and experience the harshest of impacts. Families with lower socioeconomic status might have to choose between essential needs if a food or water shortage causes food prices to increase. Economies suffer as industries dependent on water face challenges. As freshwater sources are depleted, countries might face territorial disputes over shared water sources. The strain on resources can lead to migration, which might lead to conflict. The health implications, both physical and psychological, are profound. The human cost is immeasurable, from malnutrition due to food scarcity to the mental stress of uncertain futures.

India
India faces severe agricultural losses due to drought, leading to economic hardships for its vast farming community. Water shortages often result in household stresses, especially for women who bear the burden of water collection. "About 71% of women in the tribal areas and 59% in the non-tribal areas stated reduced food intakes during droughts... Drought in India [led] to more than 50 % of farmers...remove[ing] their children out of school" (Algur et al., 2021). Additionally, inadequate water supply affects the health and hygiene of many communities, leading to waterborne diseases.

Woman and child in India without water and experiencing poverty

Image Source: Rinkujareda93 (2022) on pixabay

Africa
"Geographically, India's drought vulnerability compares with that of sub-Saharan Africa" (DTE Staff, 2022). In Africa, droughts frequently lead to widespread famine, affecting millions, with children and seniors being the most vulnerable. Water scarcity exacerbates conflicts over resources, hampers agricultural productivity, and leads to the displacement of communities. "Millions of children are facing the deadly effects of drought, including acute hunger, malnutrition and thirst.... drought force[s] people from their homes, children and families become more vulnerable both to abuses and to health threats. On the move, children often have no choice but to drink unsafe water. Makeshift camps set up without toilets become hotspots for disease outbreak. Children who are already vulnerable are more susceptible to diseases, and are often unable to access hospitals and health centres as they flee. Around 9.2 million people are displaced across the four famine-threatened countries" (Selim, 2022).

Child in Africa herding livestock during drought in the desert

Image Source: Jensfriislund (2016) on on pixabay

Amsterdam
Amsterdam experiences reduced water levels during droughts, which impacts navigation and water-based tourism. Prolonged dry spells can threaten the stability of the city's historical wooden foundations, "Drought can add to soil subsidence... [with] less water in the soil, the soil will compact... [causing] 'shrinkag' [and] 'settling,'... peat will be exposed to oxygen...decay and disappear... release[ing] a great deal of greenhouse gases. Soil subsidence due to drought may... [cause] cracks in buildings, roads, and dykes... [and] problems in wooden foundations... [of] older houses" (The Climate Adaptation Knowledge Portal, 2019), causing the poles to rot, which will damage the foundation of the house.

Leaning houses in Amsterdam due to foundation problems

United States
Drought affects vast agricultural belts in the United States, reducing crop yields and economic strain on farmers. Prolonged droughts also elevate the risk of wildfires, especially in the western states, causing property damage and endangering lives. "As of October 17, 2023, 33.22% of the U.S. and Puerto Rico and 39.57% of the lower 48 states are in drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor" (US.gov, 2023). "Drought ranks third among environmental phenomena associated with billion-dollar weather disasters since 1980, behind tropical cyclones and severe storms. The cost of drought events averages over $9 billion per year, with an annual cost of over $6 billion, making it a serious hazard with substantial socioeconomic consequences" (US.gov, 2023). 

Image Source: Selena Scola

Wildfire in the United States

Image Source: Jens Friis Lund (2016) on on pixabay

In Closing
Drought poses significant challenges worldwide, as prolonged droughts lead to agricultural losses, economic hardships, food and water shortages, health impacts, infrastructure damage, displacement of communities, and loss of life. Vulnerable populations such as children, women, seniors, and people experiencing poverty are often disproportionately affected. Tackling drought requires cooperation between governments, businesses, communities, and individuals, and responses must match the complexity of drought to mitigate the effects. 

Investing in sustainable agriculture, developing drought-resistant crops, improving water conservation and resource management while incorporating strong social safety nets are crucial in building resilience locally and globally. The costs of inaction are high; we can adapt to our changing climate by working together across borders and interests. Our future is shared; from the harshest impacts of drought to the challenges of drought we face worldwide, we must develop systems to successfully navigate the difficulties ahead.

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