Environmental Studies and Forestry

Enhanced soil moisture-temperature coupling could exacerbate drought under net-negative emissions

S. K. Mondal, S. An, et al.

Discover groundbreaking research by Sanjit Kumar Mondal, Soon-II An, Seung-Ki Min, Tong Jiang, and Buda Su that reveals how net-zero emissions are surprisingly more effective for drought mitigation than net-negative targets. This study uncovers alarming trends indicating that net-negative emissions could exacerbate drought conditions, particularly in vulnerable regions like Central Africa and South Asia. Learn about the implications for water management strategies in the face of climate change.

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Playback language: English

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Abstract

This study investigates the impact of net-zero and net-negative emission scenarios on future drought characteristics using the Community Earth System Model version 2 (CESM2). The results surprisingly indicate that net-zero emissions are more effective for drought mitigation than net-negative targets. Net-negative emissions lead to increased drying trends and more severe droughts due to stronger soil moisture-temperature coupling, particularly in Central Africa and South Asia. While both scenarios offer regional benefits, the study highlights that CO2 mitigation alone may be insufficient for managing future droughts, necessitating advanced water management strategies.

Publisher

npj Climate and Atmospheric Science

Published On

Oct 30, 2024

Authors

Sanjit Kumar Mondal, Soon-II An, Seung-Ki Min, Tong Jiang, Buda Su