Global land affected by extreme drought has tripled since the 1980s, with nearly half the Earth’s surface experiencing severe dry spells in 2023, a Lancet Countdown report reveals. Prolonged drought, now hitting regions like South America, Africa, and the Middle East, disrupts food, water, and health security.
Intense rainfall also surged worldwide, exacerbating floods and erosion as warming oceans drive extreme weather.
Health risks have spiked: heat-related deaths for older adults have risen 167% since the 1990s, while diseases like dengue and malaria spread to new areas. The report stresses cutting greenhouse gas emissions to prevent worsening climate impacts, warning we are near the limits of adaptation.
