NASA satellites reveal the decline of freshwater due to ongoing global droughts
An alarming reduction in Earth’s freshwater supply has been found using data from NASA’s Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellites. This trend, which began in May 2014, indicates a significant shift in global water availability, according to findings published in Surveys in Geophysics. The research, conducted by an international team of scientists, points to a continued drier phase for the planet, with freshwater reserves remaining below average levels.
Key findings from GRACE satellite data
The GRACE mission, jointly conducted by NASA and German research Research found that between 2015 and 2023, global freshwater reserves amounted to approximately 1,200 cubic kilometers – equivalent to two and a half times the volume of Lake Erie. These measurements include surface water, underground aquifers and other freshwater sources.
Matt Rodell, a hydrologist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, stated in a press release that this reduction reflects a departure from pre-2014 averages.
Drought and global warming linked to freshwater loss
Research shows that 13 major droughts have occurred worldwide since 2015, affecting regions such as central Brazil, Australasia and parts of Africa and Europe. These droughts coincided with record high global temperatures, raising concerns about the role of climate change in exacerbating water shortages.
Michael Bosilovich, a meteorologist at NASA Goddard, indicated that rising temperatures have intensified droughts by changing precipitation patterns, leading to runoff rather than groundwater recharge.
Uncertainty surrounding the long-term impact
While these findings underscore the urgent need for sustainable water management, some researchers remain cautious about drawing definitive links between global warming and observed trends. Susanna Werth, a hydrologist from Virginia Tech, pointed out the inherent uncertainties in climate models and emphasized the need for continued monitoring.
Whether Earth’s freshwater supplies will recover remains uncertain, but the observed decline could portend prolonged dry conditions, scientists warn.
