The risks due to increased aridity and drought have become major global concerns. However, there have been few studies on risk assessment based on controlling levels of warming. According to an article in Environmental Research Letters published on September 15, 2020, it is possible to reduce the frequency extreme dry-year and mitigate aridification in some regions by controlling the temperature rise from the pre-industrial levels within 2°C or 1.5°C. 

The full article is available at:

Akira Takeshima et al. Global aridity changes due to differences in surface energy and water balance between 1.5 °C and 2 °C warming. Environmental Research Letters (2020).

DOI: 10.1088/1748-9326/ab9db3 https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/ab9db3

Contributor: IIYAMA Miyuki (Research Strategy Office)