UN warns world's water cycle becoming more unpredictable
Increasingly intense floods and droughts are a 'distress signal' of what is to come as climate change makes the planet's water cycle ever more unpredictable, the United Nations said Monday.
According to the UN's World Meteorological Organization (WMO), last year saw some of the driest conditions in over three decades for the world's rivers, the largest glacier melt in 50 years, and a significant number of flooding incidents.
WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo emphasized the critical role water plays in reflecting the impact of climate change, stating, 'Water is the canary in the coalmine of climate change.' Saulo highlighted that the extreme weather events, such as floods and droughts, are clear 'distress signals,' severely impacting human lives, ecosystems, and economies.
The report noted that rising global temperatures have caused the water cycle to become increasingly erratic and unpredictable. As a result, regions are now facing challenges of either excessive water or severe shortages.
Last year also marked the hottest year on record, with widespread droughts due to elevated temperatures and dry conditions. At the same time, many regions experienced devastating floods. These events were influenced by natural climate phenomena such as La Niña and El Niño, but human-driven climate change has played an ever-increasing role.
Saulo explained that warmer air holds more moisture, contributing to heavier rainfall, while faster evaporation and drying of soils exacerbate drought conditions. This growing imbalance in the water cycle poses significant threats to the planet's future.
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