NEW DELHI: The World Drought Atlas launched on December 2, 2024 revealed that a staggering 75% of the global population will face the brunt of drought by 2050. This significant publication, a collaboration between the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the European Commission Joint Research Centre, coincides with the 16th UNCCD meeting in Riyadh.
Bernard Magenhann, Acting Director General of the European Commission Joint Research Centre emphasized that “Drought is not just a climate extreme.” “Human factors like unsustainable water use, poor land management, and water competition exacerbate and amplify droughts and their impacts.” relying on robust monitoring and forecasting systems, Magenhann highlighted the importance of data in building knowledge and managing risks.
The UNCCD advocates for a deeper understanding of drought-related crop failures for India given that over 25 million people are employed in the agricultural sector. The atlas predicts significant losses in soybean yield due to droughts in the country. Reflecting on the ‘Day Zero’ in Chennai in 2019, the report underscores how mismanagement of water resources and rampant urbanization pushed the city towards a severe water crisis despite receiving over 1,400 millimeters of rainfall annually.
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The authors stress that drought is not always a natural phenomenon. Between 2020 and 2023, India has witnessed riots and tensions due to water mismanagement. Sub-Saharan Africa is predicted to follow a similar trajectory. The atlas calls for immediate policy-level action and international cooperation across different sectors to mitigate the impact of drought.
Data sharing and early warnings are crucial in reducing drought damage and building resilience. The International Drought Resilience Alliance (IDRA) which was formed in 2022 supports the atlas by mobilizing funds, enhancing knowledge, and developing sustainable actions. IDRA emphasizes the importance of appropriate soil and agronomical management practices to reduce the risk of drought impacts on crops.
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“There is no time to lose,” urged Ibrahim Thiaw, Executive Secretary of UNCCD and Under-Secretary-General of the UN. Thiaw called on all nations to review the atlas’s findings and take action to build a more resilient, secure, and sustainable future. The atlas provides a systemic perspective on drought risks and impacts, illustrating how risks are interconnected across sectors and offering guidance on proactive and prospective drought management and adaptation.
To effectively manage drought risks, communities, regions, and countries must adopt proactive approaches to drought risk management and adaptation. The atlas challenges governments, business leaders, and decision-makers to rethink decision-making processes and implement whole-of-society strategies to mitigate drought risk.