A study using NASA and German satellite data indicates a sharp decline in global freshwater supplies since May 2014. This decline, which has lower levels of freshwater by 290 cubic miles compared to previous years, is exacerbated by climate-induced droughts. Increased reliance on groundwater during drought conditions creates a stressful cycle, risking famine, conflict, and disease. Experts suggest climate change is a key factor, highlighting the need for urgent attention to this environmental crisis.
A comprehensive study conducted by an international team utilizing NASA and German satellite data has identified a significant decline in the global freshwater supply, which began in May 2014 and has persisted at lower levels. This alarming trend, detailed in a publication in the journal Surveys in Geophysics, indicates that Earth’s continents may be entering an extended dry period. Satellite measurements have noted that from 2015 to 2023, freshwater stored on land has decreased by 290 cubic miles (1,200 cubic kilometers) when compared to the average from 2002 to 2014; this loss is equivalent to more than twice the volume of Lake Erie. Researchers emphasize that during prolonged drought conditions, cities and agriculture increasingly depend on groundwater, exacerbating the depletion of freshwater reserves. This results in a dangerous cycle where reduced freshwater supplies lead to insufficient rainfall and continued over-extraction of groundwater, contributing to severe water shortages. Such challenges severely impact communities and agricultural practices, raising the likelihood of famine, conflict, disease, and poverty, particularly when populations are driven to utilize contaminated water sources, as cited in a 2024 United Nations report on water stress. The research team tracked global freshwater levels using data obtained from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellites, a collaboration between NASA and the German Aerospace Center. These satellites measure fluctuations in Earth’s gravity to ascertain changes in water mass above and below the surface. The initial GRACE satellites operated from 2002 to 2017, while the GRACE–Follow On (GRACE–FO) continues monitoring since its launch in 2018. The decline in freshwater levels initiated with a severe drought in northern and central Brazil, which was succeeded by significant droughts across various global regions, including Australasia, North America, and Europe. These droughts have been linked to abnormally warm ocean temperatures in the tropical Pacific, which played a pivotal role in the major El Niño event that occurred between late 2014 and 2016, disrupting precipitation patterns worldwide through alterations in atmospheric jet streams. Despite the conclusion of the 2015-2016 El Niño, the study reveals that global freshwater levels did not rebound; indeed, 13 of the 30 most intense droughts recorded by GRACE satellites have transpired since 2015. Matthew Rodell, a hydrologist at NASA, suspects that climate change may be a catalyst for this continued freshwater depletion. Global warming intensifies atmospheric moisture retention, which can result in extreme weather, including heavy rainfall. However, according to NASA meteorologist Michael Bosilovich, prolonged dry intervals between rain showers hinder the absorption of water into the soil, complicating groundwater replenishment. “When there is extreme precipitation, the water tends to run off rather than soak into the ground,” he stated, underscoring the impact of current climatic patterns.
The significant decline in global freshwater resources is a pressing environmental concern, especially as research directly correlates this trend with climate change implications. This study highlights the reliance on satellite technology to monitor and quantify freshwater reserves and their fluctuations, reinforcing the importance of understanding the intricate connections between climate phenomena, such as El Niño, and global water cycles. Furthermore, the link between these water shortages and increased risks to societal stability and health emphasizes the broader impacts of changing climate conditions.
The findings from this research underline the urgent need to address the ongoing decline of global freshwater supplies, which is increasingly attributed to climate change. The observed decrease in freshwater availability since 2014 presents serious implications for agricultural practices, community health, and global stability. As climate models continue to develop, further scrutiny is necessary to ascertain whether current trends will stabilize or exacerbate, solidifying the connection between climate change and critical freshwater resources.
Original Source: www.businesstoday.in
