Flash droughts expected to increase globally as climate warms, reveals study

Radiative forcing is when the amount of energy that enters the Earth is different from the amount that leaves the Earth. Energy enters our planet in the form of solar radiation and leaves in the form of infrared radiation, exiting as heat. When there is more radiation entering the Earth than leaving, as has been happening, the atmosphere will warm up.

Before the dawn of the industrial era, radiative forcing was in close balance as the planet’s average temperature was more or less stable. The biggest change to this was the greenhouse gases that humans have been adding to the atmosphere, which prevents heat from escaping the Earth.

Also, by cutting down forests, we have exposed the Earth;s surface to more Sunlight. In theory, if that surface is darker than forest cover, the Earth absorbs more solar radiation. But in places where it is lighter, like the arctic, more sunlight gets reflected back to space.

The new article in Nature emphasises that farmers around the world will face increased pressure as water availability is brought into question by increasing flash floods. Any such disruptions to food production could lead to higher prices and social unrest, according to the researchers.