Drought & Climate Change

Climate 101 > Impacts > Drought and Climate Change

In a Flash

• Worldwide, droughts are becoming more severe and more common due to global warming
• Droughts amplify other climate change effects, such as heat waves
• Preparing for more severe future droughts will help communities adapt to changing conditions

The Climate Connection

Recent extreme droughts, such as the 2011-2016 California drought and the 2010-2013 Texas drought, are expected to become more common as the Earth’s temperature warms. Drought occurs when there are not enough water resources to support a community of plants, animals, and/or people.

Droughts in one place look different from droughts in another. Regions with dry climates will likely experience even more severe droughts than usual. Regions with wetter climates that typically do not experience drought may begin to experience them due to the global warming associated with climate change.

Effects and Consequences

The consequences of drought affect people, animals, plants, water bodies, and the land itself. These impacts can cascade and amplify other effects of climate change. For example, plants that don’t get enough water during drought will face water stress, making them much more susceptible to death by drying out or being invaded by pests. If a fire starts, these dry dead plants burn easily and facilitate the fire’s spread. Soil that dries out as a result of drought becomes hard and brittle, forming a solid layer at the surface that water cannot penetrate easily. This increases the chance of flooding and mudslides because the rain water cannot easily infiltrate, or absorb, into the soil. Because the rain water does not infiltrate into the soil, groundwater aquifers don’t get replenished as much. Wild animals and livestock that don’t have enough water will become stressed, which increases competition among individuals and makes it harder for populations to thrive.

People face a number of problems when drought occurs. Water scarcity, the lack of available water to meet the water demand in a region, is predicted to worsen in the future due to global warming and population growth. Droughts often disrupt the most essential uses of water, like daily cleaning, eating, and drinking. Water stress on crops, livestock, and managed lands could put financial stress on individuals and the overall economy. For example, the 2010-2013 Texas drought cost farmers and ranchers about $8 billion in lost profits.

Solutions

There is no silver bullet solution to drought. The right solution for a community experiencing drought will depend on the climate, existing infrastructure, budget, and willingness to support new ways of using or getting water. Water agencies, farmers, and individuals can better manage drought by reducing their water demand and/or increasing supply. Water agencies can improve water infrastructure that provide water to millions by fixing leaks or investing in technologies such as stormwater capture, rainwater harvesting, wastewater reuse, and desalination to increase water supply.

Farmers can also invest in better technology or irrigation practices to improve their water efficiency. Water conservation at home is one way to reduce demand, for example by taking shorter showers or replacing grass with drought tolerant landscaping. Improved water efficiency also helps reduce demand by fixing leaks or using more water-efficient appliances. Predicting future droughts and preparing for future water shortages will help communities adapt better to changing conditions.