WorldPosted at: Jul 3 2025 1:41PM


Experts warn ‘new era of drought’ driven by climate change

Bucharest (Romania), July 3 (UNI) Experts warn extreme heat and worsening drought conditions gripping large parts of Europe, signify a global pattern of new era of drought.
Extreme heat condition driven by climate change across Europe, fuelling wildfires and prompting urgent weather alerts across multiple countries, poses escalating threats to food security, ecosystems, and national economies, urging global action and collaboration.
Germany experienced what may have been its hottest day of the year on Wednesday, with temperatures forecast to reach 40 degrees Celsius, according to the German Weather Service, which has issued extreme heat warnings across much of the country and highlighted a rising risk of wildfires, especially in the southeast.
Similar conditions have been reported across Central and Western Europe with Czech Republic, Poland, Prague, Slovakia, Croatia, Romania and Netherland experience varying degrees of high temperature weathers, with multiple fire related accidents reported and alerts issued across the country.
Southern Europe is faring no better as Spain continues to endure a record-breaking heatwave, with June 2025 confirmed as the country's hottest month on record. Tragically, two farmers died on Tuesday in a wildfire that scorched 5,000 hectares in La Segarra, northeast Spain. Italy, Bosnia, Herzegovina have also issued orange weather alerts across the country,
A new report released on Wednesday, Drought Hotspots Around the World 2023-2025, presents a stark picture. Jointly prepared by the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the US National Drought Mitigation Center (NDMC), the report warns that drought has become one of the most widespread and damaging crises of our time.
"Drought was once primarily associated with rainfall and agriculture," said Daniel Tsegai, program officer at UNCCD. "Today, it is a multi-sectoral, systemic shock. No sector, no part of the economy, and no country is immune to its impacts."
Tsegai emphasized that combating drought requires shifting from reactive crisis management to proactive, long-term planning. Addressing these interconnected threats demands coordinated action across sectors and governance levels, involving ministries, local communities, and national governments alike.
Mark Svoboda, co-author and founding director of NDMC, described the situation as "a slow-moving global catastrophe, the worst I've ever seen." The economic toll is mounting rapidly. NDMC research cites an OECD estimate that the financial cost of drought today is at least double what it was in 2000, with further increases of up to 110 percent projected by 2035.
"Ripple effects can turn regional droughts into global economic shocks," said co-author Cody Knutson. "No country is immune when critical water-dependent systems start to collapse." The report warns that drought is already costing some countries up to 10 percent of their GDP annually, and may soon disrupt energy grids, food supply chains, and entire ecosystems. Action and global cooperation in urgent need.
The frequency of global droughts increased by 30 percent between 2000 and 2019. Driven by climate change and rising demands for land and water, droughts now threaten food supplies, water availability, biodiversity, energy systems, and public health, all critical pillars of society.
The UNCCD urges countries to act immediately by investing in early warning systems, drought monitoring, and nature-based solutions such as watershed restoration, building resilient infrastructure, including off-grid energy and alternative water technologies.
Although over 80 countries have developed national drought plans, the UNCCD warns that implementation remains a major gap. Without stronger execution and cooperation, experts caution the world could face increasingly severe and widespread drought-related crises.
UNI XINHUA AS PRS
Tags: #Experts warn ‘new era of drought’ driven by climate change
More News

PM Modi gifts Bidriware Vases to Ghana President

03 Jul 2025 | 7:54 PM

Accra (Ghana), July 3 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi today gifted a pair of exquisite Bidriware flower vases to Ghanaian President John Mahama, highlighting India’s deep-rooted cultural heritage and the exceptional artistry of Karnataka’s famed metalcraft tradition.

see more..

China warns against trade deals that harm third parties after US-Vietnam pact

03 Jul 2025 | 5:21 PM

Beijing, July 3 (UNI) China today expressed concerns over the recent trade agreement between the US and Vietnam, warning that trade deals should not target or harm the interests of third parties.

see more..

Yemeni journalist dies in Indian hospital; body held back due to non-payment of bills: Report

02 Jul 2025 | 11:11 PM

Aden, July 2 (UNI) The Yemeni Journalists’ Syndicate has urged the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) and the Yemeni government to swiftly intervene and cover the treatment costs and repatriate the body of journalist Salem Al-Feras, who died in an Indian hospital on Monday evening after a long illness.The Syndicate, quoting the deceased’s family, explained that his body remains held at the hospital because they are unable to pay for his treatment costs, the Yemen Monitor reported.

see more..

Iran suspends cooperation with IAEA, says progress in nuclear industry will continue

02 Jul 2025 | 9:01 PM

Tehran, July 2 (UNI) Iran today suspended its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
and asserted that progress in the country’s nuclear industry would always continue decisively.

see more..

UN nuclear watchdog IAEA continues operations in Iran despite state suspension of cooperation

02 Jul 2025 | 7:56 PM

Tehran/Vienna, July 2 (UNI) The UN’s nuclear watchdog – the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) – continues to maintain a presence in Iran, despite Tehran’s suspension of all cooperation with the organisation, reports Iran International.

see more..