Scientists have discovered a new climatic phenomenon that has doubled droughts.

Global warming has made droughts 40% more intense

An international team of scientists from the University of California (USA) and the University of Oxford (UK) has identified a worrying trend: due to rising global temperatures, the Earth's atmosphere has started absorbing significantly more moisture, making droughts 40% more intense over the past 40 years. The findings were published in the scientific journal Nature, reported 'Glavkom'.

Experts have established that the traditional view of droughts as a result of only a lack of precipitation has proven to be incomplete. The most important factor has been the 'thirst' of the atmosphere - its need for evaporation, which has sharply increased due to warming. Warm air, like a giant sponge, actively draws moisture from soils, plants, and water bodies.

To measure the effect, scientists analyzed climatic data over more than a century using complex computer models. They found that the atmosphere's ability to absorb moisture is increasing faster than the amount of precipitation in most regions of the world. This process is particularly pronounced in the tropics and arid areas.

Consequences of the research

The consequences of such changes are already being felt worldwide. Forest fires are becoming more frequent, crop yields are declining, and water resources are being depleted.

As co-author of the study Chris Funk notes, even a small increase in temperature significantly enhances the atmosphere's 'thirst,' which is particularly dangerous for ecosystems and agriculture.

Increased global temperatures lead to changes in the behavior of the atmosphere, which absorbs more moisture due to the rising 'thirst' associated with temperature increases. This results in more intense droughts, which have serious consequences for the environment and agriculture.