NASA satellites have revealed a significant decline in global freshwater, beginning in May 2014. Researchers reported a loss of 290 cubic miles of freshwater, linked to increased drought conditions and climate change. With reliance on groundwater rising during droughts and rainfall patterns becoming more erratic, the potential for severe water shortages poses broad risks to communities and agriculture.
Recent research conducted by an international team of scientists utilizing data from NASA and German satellites has indicated a sharp decline in the Earth’s freshwater reserves since May 2014. This ongoing reduction, reported in the journal Surveys in Geophysics, suggests that the planet may be entering an extended dry spell. Since 2015, satellite observations revealed a loss of freshwater amounting to approximately 290 cubic miles (1,200 cubic kilometers) when compared to averages from 2002 to 2014, a volume greater than two and a half times that of Lake Erie. In drought conditions, agricultural practices and urban areas increasingly rely on groundwater, further exacerbating the depletion of freshwater supplies. This cycle results in dwindling freshwater reserves, insufficient replenishment from rain and snow, and heightened groundwater extraction. The 2024 UN report on water stress emphasizes the serious implications of these shortages, including risks of famine, conflict, poverty, and disease, often stemming from reliance on contaminated sources. The study’s authors tracked global freshwater changes using data from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellites. These satellites, launched in two phases—2002 to 2017 and 2018 onward—monitor fluctuations in Earth’s gravity, revealing shifts in surface and subsurface water mass. The decline began following severe droughts in Brazil and has since affected regions across Australasia, North America, Europe, and Africa, exacerbated by unusually warm ocean temperatures tied to significant El Niño events. Despite the cessation of the 2015-2016 El Niño phenomenon, which disrupted global rainfall patterns, freshwater levels have not rebounded. The researchers found that 13 of the 30 most severe droughts recorded by GRACE occurred after 2015. There is a consensus among scientists, including Matthew Rodell from NASA, that climate change may be a driving factor in this freshwater depletion, due to its role in increasing atmospheric moisture and extreme weather variations. NASA meteorologist Michael Bosilovich explained that while extreme precipitation events are becoming more common, longer intervals of dryness are hindering water absorption into the soil, thus impeding groundwater replenishment. Hydrologist Susanna Werth, who did not participate in the study, notes the complexity of establishing direct links between climate change and freshwater decline due to uncertainties present in climate models. The future trajectory of freshwater levels remains uncertain; discussions are ongoing regarding whether they will rebound to pre-2015 levels, stabilize, or continue decreasing. Furthermore, as the nine hottest years on record occurred alongside the onset of this decline, Rodell cautions that this trend may indeed be indicative of a more significant global issue moving forward.
The global freshwater crisis highlights the significance of understanding the delicate balance between water supply and climate change. Satellite technology, specifically the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment satellites, has provided invaluable data regarding freshwater levels around the world. By monitoring Earth’s gravity fluctuations, scientists can assess changes in both surface and underground water reserves, which is crucial for understanding climate impacts on water resources. This research underscores the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to manage water resources amidst the challenges posed by climate change, particularly as various regions experience increasing risks of drought and water shortages.
In conclusion, the alarming decline in global freshwater resources since 2014 signals a potential shift towards prolonged aridity, exacerbated by climate change. As communities and agriculture become increasingly reliant on dwindling groundwater supplies, the consequences extend beyond water scarcity to encompass broader socio-economic issues, including famine and disease. The future of freshwater availability remains uncertain, necessitating immediate attention from global policymakers and scientists to address this pressing challenge, underscoring the intricate relationship between climate change and water resource management.
Original Source: www.businesstoday.in
