Landmark Drought Atlas calls for action to address global risks

Landmark Drought Atlas calls for action to address global risks
by Erica Marchand
Paris, France (SPX) Dec 03, 2024

The UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), in collaboration with the European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC), has unveiled the World Drought Atlas, a comprehensive resource addressing the systemic risks and solutions associated with droughts. This critical publication underscores the urgency for global cooperation and robust national strategies to build resilience against intensifying drought events.

Through a collection of detailed maps, infographics, and case studies, the Atlas highlights the interconnected risks of drought across sectors such as agriculture, energy, international trade, and public health. These risks, if unmanaged, can exacerbate inequalities, fuel conflicts, and threaten communities and ecosystems.

"The World Drought Atlas challenges governments, business leaders, and policymakers at all levels to radically rethink how they make decisions and manage drought risk," said UNCCD Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw. "I call on all nations, and in particular the Parties to the UNCCD, to take the findings of the Atlas seriously. At UNCCD COP16, Parties could change the course of history towards drought resilience. Let us seize the moment with the knowledge that the Atlas provides a path for a more resilient future for all."

Impacts and Lessons from Drought

The Atlas delves into the significant effects of droughts on key areas such as water supply, hydropower, agriculture, and ecosystems. It explains how reduced water levels can disrupt energy production and trade routes, citing the Panama Canal as a recent example. Additionally, it emphasizes the link between biodiversity and drought resilience, advocating for policies that enhance ecosystem diversity.

The food-land-water nexus is a central theme, with agriculture identified as a major consumer of global freshwater resources and a key sector vulnerable to drought. The publication also examines the hidden costs of virtual water transfers through global trade and the heightened vulnerabilities of small-scale farmers and marginalized communities.

Case studies from regions like the Great Plains in the US, the Yangtze River basin in China, and the Central American Dry Corridor reveal the widespread impacts of drought and the lessons learned from recent events. These examples stress the importance of inclusive planning that incorporates Indigenous knowledge and addresses disparities in water access.

Pathways to Resilience

The Atlas outlines actionable strategies for drought management, including improved governance, land-use practices, and water management techniques. Key measures include the development of early warning systems, land restoration initiatives, agroforestry, and innovative water reuse and conservation methods.

"The Atlas is a powerful new resource to build political momentum for proactive drought risk management ahead of UNCCD COP16 in Riyadh," said Hugo Moran, Secretary of State of Environment of Spain. "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 positioned as a vital tool for policymakers, researchers, and communities to transform scientific knowledge into actionable strategies that mitigate the risks of worsening drought conditions.

Research Report:Global Drought Atlas