'Dust Bowl' to become 'common phenomenon' in current atmospheric conditions: Study

“Dust Bowl” phenomenon that occurred in 1930s across plains of North America could return and become more usual in current atmospheric conditions of spiked greenhouse levels. new study by University of Oxford’s, Environmental Change Institute published on May 18 said that those heatwaves that occurred in region years ago would be “much larger” under present-day levels of greenhouse gases in atmosphere. It would also le to “return period” of rare devastating heatwave summer. 

study said, “Heatwave activity in similarly rare events would be much larger under today’s atmospheric GHG forcing and return period of a 1-in-100-year heatwave summer (as observed in 1936) would be reduced to about 1-in-40 years. 

“A key driver of increasing heatwave activity and intensity is reduced evaporative cooling and increased sensible heating during dry springs and summers,” it ded.

“substantial warning” of Dust Bowl drought h caused severe crop failures across North America along with huge dust storms. harsh wear conditions h also led to “out-migration”. se situations h occurred when United States was experiencing its “hottest summers” of 20th century in 1934 and 1936. re were apparently more than 40 heatwave days and maximum temperatures h even surpassed 44 degree-Celcius in some regions of country. 

Re - Amsterdam: Restaurant Makes 'quarantine Greenhouses' For Customers Amid Pandemic

Re - Lower Pollution Levels Slowing Down Spre Of COVID: Doctor From Gangaram Hospital

Dust Bowl to become more likely

However, even though such conditions are expected to come about rarely and that too naturally, current increase in greenhouse gases in atmosphere could make Dust Bowl phenomenon more frequent. According to study, probability of it occurring again has risen by two and a half times marking once in every 40 years. If temperatures in world rise over 2 degrees Celcius above pre-industrial levels, Dust Bowl would become one-in-20-year events in same region. 

co-author of study and acting director of Environmental Change Institute at University of Oxford  Friederike Otto said, “Even highly industrialised parts of world are vulnerable to extreme heat and drought. This is an important reminder that if we do not want events like dust bowl, we need to get to net zero [greenhouse gas emissions] very soon.”

Re - CPCB Report Suggests Pollution In Ganga Has Decreased Since Natinal Lockdown

Re - 'Centre, Pollution Control Board To Ensure Scientific Disposal Of COVID-19 Waste': NGT

Image Source: Representative/Unsplash