DROUGHT: SOURCES

Drought is caused by a lack of precipitation, which can lead to severe water shortages, which in some cases, can be fatal. Nevertheless, drought is defined by a period of unusually dry weather, which is not only caused by low rainfall, but high temperatures as well. The rise in temperatures, primarily driven by anthropogenic activities, often leads to drier conditions.

Global warming, in particular, can increase the risk of drought in numerous ways. Water tends to evaporate quicker at higher temperatures, which results in hotter weather, ultimately leading to drier soils. This directly impacts the amount of crop yields, which depend on fertile soils that are rich in moisture and organic matter. Moreover, droughts may stunt the growth of crops, causing a decline in the size and quality of produce.