Climate Change Intensifies European Droughts, New Study Reveals
Summary
A new international study reveals that climate change has intensified drought conditions across Europe by increasing temperatures and soil moisture loss, leading to severe dryness and wildfires.
Key Points
- Climate change has intensified droughts in Europe beyond the effect of reduced rainfall by increasing temperatures that dry out soil, rivers, and lakes.
- Europe experienced an historic heatwave in June leading to drying rivers, water restrictions, and wildfires across multiple countries.
- The study by World Weather Attribution scientists shows that soil dryness probability is five times higher in Western Europe and 11 times higher in Eastern Europe due to climate change.
- Scientists warn that the hotter atmosphere is more 'thirsty,' increasing evaporation and raising the risk of extreme droughts even with normal rainfall levels.
