Droughts Hurt World’s Largest Economies

Source: The post is based on the article “Droughts Hurt World’s Largest Economies” published in Livemint on 22nd August 2022.

What is the News?

Severe droughts across the Northern Hemisphere— from the US to waterways in Europe and China—are impacting the global trade system already under stress.

Which countries are experiencing droughts?

Parts of China are experiencing their longest sustained heat wave since record-keeping began in 1961.

The drought affecting Spain, Portugal, France and Italy is on track to be the worst in 500 years.

In the American West, a drought that began two decades ago now appears to be the worst in 1,200 years.

Reasons for these droughts: This year’s droughts are partly because of La Niña, a cyclical pattern of cooler water in the eastern Pacific Ocean that pushes the atmospheric jet stream northward, leaving parts of Europe, the U.S. and Asia with less rain. 

Note: The United Nations says the number of droughts worldwide has risen 29% since 2000 because of land degradation and climate change.

What is the impact of these droughts on these countries?

The droughts are hurting industries including electricity generation, agriculture, manufacturing and tourism. 

This is compounding existing strains such as supply-chain disruptions stemming from the Covid-19 pandemic and pressure on energy and food prices from the war in Ukraine.