Adaptation10: October 2024

Droughts are an ever-worsening climate hazard. Regions around the world, including southern parts of Europe, large tracts of the US, Southern Africa, and disaster-prone areas of Central Asia and China, have all suffered from severe and prolonged dry spells that drain water supplies, deplete agriculture, and hobble local economies. In some cases, droughts have even undermined the supply of renewable energy by interrupting hydropower generators.

In the US, droughts have persisted and become more intense in recent years. The 2023 National Climate Assessment highlights how droughts have disrupted water resources, food production, and power generation — particularly in the western states. In 2023, 46.3% of the US experienced drought conditions, affecting millions of acres of crops and impacting the lives of hundreds of thousands of residents. This long-term drying trend is particularly evident in California and neighboring states where water supplies continue to shrink.

Europe in 2022 saw some of the most severe droughts in decades. Countries including France, Italy, Spain, and Portugal faced water restrictions, drastically reduced agricultural yields, and energy supply issues as river levels fell. The continent of Africa is also blighted by drought. In the Horn of Africa in 2022, more than 20 million children were struck by severe hunger due to consecutive failed rainy seasons.

These challenges illustrate the need for urgent adaptation strategies, such as better water management, improved agricultural practices, and increased investment in sustainable technologies. While these droughts may not always make headlines, they reflect the growing severity of climate-induced water stress across the globe.

In this month’s Adaptation10, we showcase ten innovative solution providers across the globe that are addressing drought. Some of these companies are deploying cutting-edge technologies, while others are smaller, local enterprises focused on solving water and agricultural issues in their specific regions. These businesses are shining examples of the growing adaptation economy, and potent allies in the fight against climate change-induced droughts.

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Thanks for reading!

Louie Woodall & Daniel Schmitz-Remberg