Droughts are getting worse around the world: NZ farmers get ready

Ōtautahi - As New Zealand steps forward summer in a few months, Kiwi farmers should consider this climate change article and how it is massively impacting other countries in the world.

Climate change is contributing to more droughts and water shortages around the world.

Northern Italy is facing its worst drought in 70 years, and more than 43 percent of US states are currently experiencing droughts.

A new UN report says drought frequency and duration has increased by nearly a third since 2000.

One major solution could be increased focus on land restoration such as agroforestry and more efficient irrigation systems the UN says.

The Po, Italy’s longest river, has been a vital transport hub throughout history helping the north of the country develop into an industrial powerhouse. But the big river is drying up because of periods of severe drought. Experts say it is almost three metres below the zero gauge height, significantly below the seasonal average.

The Italian government declared a state of emergency in five regions in early July because of a drought, described as the worst in 70 years. Around a third of Italy’s population (17 million people), live around the Po as well as more than half of the nation’s pigs and cattle.

The drought has threatened supplies of olive oil and risotto rice which could raise prices by as much as 50 percent.

Neighbouring France is experiencing its worst drought since records began in 1958, according to Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne.

Water restrictions are in place across much of the country, and the corn harvest is expected to be almost 20 percent lower than 2021.

Portugal recorded its hottest July since records began and 99 percent of the country is in severe or extreme drought. Average temperatures were just over 40°C, according to the IPMA weather service, almost three degrees higher than the typical July average.

Around 75 percent of Romania is affected by drought. The country’s cereal crop is predicted to drop by 30 million tonnes.

Drought has been declared in parts of England, which is expected to result in restrictions on water usage. The National Drought Group says by 2050 some rivers could have up to 80 percent less water during summer and temperatures could be up to 7 degrees hotter as a result of climate change.

July saw temperatures in parts of the UK break the 40°C barrier for the first time ever. The BBC say the first six months of the year were the driest in England since 1976.

The Horn of Africa is experiencing its worst drought in more than 40 years with more than 18 million people facing severe hunger in Ethiopia, Somalia and parts of Kenya, the FAO has warned.

More than 43 percent of the US experienced drought in July 2022. Vegetation cover has increased over seven million hectares of land in the Sahel area over the past 25 years due to interventions such as changes in tree management and tenure.

The adoption of drip irrigation has provided significant benefits in drought-prone provinces of Vietnam, Cambodia, and Indonesia.