Global Warming Could Spread Extreme Drought [View All]

[tex-wyo-dem]

Global Warming Could Spread Extreme Drought

BOURNEMOUTH, England, October 4, 2006 (ENS) - Drought could double by century's end because of global warming, threatening the survival of millions of people around the world, according to new research by British climate scientists. The researchers warn that this estimate may actually be too conservative, as it doe not take into account the potential for carbon feedbacks in the climate system that are likely to accelerate warming across the planet.

The study was funded by the British government and carried out by climate scientists at the Met Office Hadley Centre for Climate Prediction and Research.

"This report is jaw-dropping," said Andrew Simms, spokesman for the Climate Clinic, a coalition of UK environmentalists, businesses and the Energy Saving Trust. "The new projections on drought from the Hadley Centre are like being told that this is the day the earth catches fire."

The researchers examined climate records for the second half of the 20th century and found global drought increased 25 percent in the 1990s.

Using a powerful climate model, the researchers analyzed future drought based on temperature and rainfall predictions.

The research shows that extreme drought could affect 30 percent of the world's land surface, up from the current span of 3 percent. Severe drought will affect 40 percent of the earth's land, up from eight percent, and moderate drought, which currently affects about 25 percent of the world's surface, will rise to 50 percent.

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http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/oct2006/2006-10-05-01.asp