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Drylands could cover 40% of Earth's land by 2100
A new study published in the journal Environmental Research Letters warns that drylands could expand to cover more than 40% of the Earth's land surface by the year 2100.
Currently, arid and semi-arid regions account for approximately 38.6% of the planet's land area. Depending on future greenhouse gas emission scenarios, this figure is projected to rise to between 39.3% and 40.3% by the end of the century. In a worst-case scenario, the expansion could add roughly 2.37 million square kilometers of dryland, an area comparable to the size of Algeria.
The research indicates that Australia, Brazil, and parts of Africa will experience the most significant shifts. Scientists noted that while rising atmospheric carbon dioxide levels might slightly mitigate the pace of drying—as plants may close their stomata to reduce water loss—this effect is insufficient to counteract the overall trend of global warming and increased aridity.
Entities
ECR Party · Environmental Research Letters · Giorgia Meloni · Maurizio Lupi · Noi Moderati
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] A study published in Environmental Research Letters predicts drylands could cover over 40% of Earth's land by 2100. technews.tw · www.greenme.it · worldstockmarket.net
- [● 2 SOURCES] Dryland areas currently cover approximately 38.6% of the planet's land area. technews.tw · worldstockmarket.net
- [● 2 SOURCES] Australia, Brazil, and parts of Africa are expected to face the most significant shifts in dryland areas. technews.tw · worldstockmarket.net
- [● 2 SOURCES] Rising atmospheric CO2 may slightly slow dryland expansion because plants close stomata to reduce water loss. technews.tw · worldstockmarket.net
- [● 2 SOURCES] Under the most unfavorable emissions scenario, drylands could expand by roughly 2.37 million square kilometers. technews.tw · worldstockmarket.net