Droughts threaten world’s future

The stark warning comes through a groundbreaking new publication unveiled by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: the World Drought Atlas.

This publication painted a vivid and alarming picture of a future where droughts will affect 3 out of every 4 people on the planet by 2050, unless decisive action is taken now.

The World Drought Atlas, created in collaboration with organizations such as the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC), CIMA Research Foundation, and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, offered an eye-opening view of how droughts are interwoven with nearly every aspect of our lives.

Through a series of powerful case studies, maps, and infographics, it revealed that droughts are far more than just a lack of water. The ripple effects of these prolonged dry spells stretch across agriculture, energy production, trade, and even public health.

While we often hear about the immediate devastation of floods or earthquakes, droughts take a slower, more insidious toll. The impacts can be more far-reaching and long-lasting. Reduced hydropower, water shortages that cripple crop production, and disruptions to vital trade routes, like the Panama Canal, are just the tip of the iceberg. And it’s not just human industries that suffer, the environment takes a hit too, with ecosystems stressed to their breaking point, pushing vulnerable communities further into crisis.

One of the most striking revelations from the Atlas is the interconnectedness of drought risks. It’s not just one sector that feels the brunt of a drought; it’s an entire system unraveling. Take hydropower, for instance, countries that rely on dams for energy production may face widespread power outages, disrupting everything from manufacturing to healthcare. Droughts exacerbate heatwaves, sparking public health crises, especially in marginalized communities with limited access to healthcare and resources.

Agriculture, which accounts for the majority of global freshwater use, is among the hardest-hit sectors. But the consequences extend far beyond local farms. The global food system, reliant on international supply chains, also places enormous pressure on water resources, especially in regions where resources are already scarce. Small-scale farmers, who have little access to resources for resilience, face the greatest risk, with their livelihoods hanging in the balance.

The Atlas underscores that no region is immune to the dangers of drought. From the Great Plains of the United States to China’s Yangtze River basin, droughts have intensified, with the most vulnerable nations bearing the greatest burdens. For Indigenous communities, whose lives are deeply tied to the land, the report emphasizes the need to integrate their unique knowledge and needs into any proactive drought planning.

Perhaps the most powerful message of the Atlas is that humans are both the cause of, and the solution to, the problem. Climate change, coupled with unsustainable land and water management, is fueling the frequency and severity of droughts. But there is hope. The very same human action that has worsened the situation can help reverse it. The report highlights that adopting better governance practices, land-use management, and water conservation can significantly reduce drought risks.

There are already proven solutions—early warning systems, agroforestry, and more efficient water use—waiting to be implemented on a global scale. And investing in biodiversity can provide a buffer for communities, helping them withstand the worst effects of drought. The Atlas is a call to action, urging world leaders to move beyond temporary fixes and focus on sustainable, long-term solutions that can protect future generations.

UNCCD Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw put it succinctly: “We already have the knowledge and tools to build our resilience to harsher droughts. It is now our collective responsibility, and in our best interest, to take action for a drought-resilient future.”

The World Drought Atlas is not just a report; it’s a roadmap for a sustainable future. Governments, businesses, and communities are urged to take the knowledge in the Atlas and turn it into action, crafting national drought plans that will ensure future generations are better prepared to face an increasingly arid world.

As the climate crisis continues to unfold, droughts are no longer a distant threat—they are here, and they are shaping our future. But there’s hope. With the right knowledge, resources, and collective will, we can build a more resilient world and weather the storms ahead. The time to act is now