US record ‘megadrought’ a menace to food security

Alexandra Russo September 21, 2021 08:59

The US experienced its worst recorded drought in decades this summer. At its height, the unprecedented aridity extended across more than two-thirds of the continental area of the
United States, with its most severe manifestations in the Southwest, but also extending to Oregon, Washington and North Dakota.

This historic drought is the consequence not only of a major heatwave, but also of less rain and snowfall in the winter and spring. In addition to dangerous and devastating fires, this longstanding dry spell produced disruptive effects on the US food supply, as California – the primary producer of fruits, nuts and vegetables in the US – experienced severe drought across 93% of the state.

Even though California and other states have started to implement countermeasures, large-scale investment is still required to improve both urban and agricultural water use, in order to ensure adequate water supply and sanitation across the nation.

Once again, we see how water scarcity continues to threaten life as we know it, compelling us to take action, and to start doing more with less water supply.

This is all the more true given that ongoing climate change is likely to make this type of severe weather even more frequent, rendering the need for action that much more pressing.

Cyclical weather patterns vs extreme weather events

Droughts are produced by years of dry conditions, and while California and other southwestern states are predisposed to cyclical weather patterns, with periods of dry years and periods of wet years, climate change and rising temperatures are turning cyclical shifts into prolonged periods of drought and severe water crises.

According to scientific analysis, similar extreme and prolonged weather phenomena, resulting from climate change and rising temperature, are likely to become the “new normal”, and will occur with higher frequency, causing even more disastrous consequences.

Echoing these estimations, a recent study found that we are on track to experience the worst drought in 1,200 years.

As of August 2021, Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in the U.S., was filled to only about one-third of its designed capacity – the lowest water level since it was formed in 1935. Next year, at the latest, this decline will lead to substantial water delivery cutbacks for Arizona, Nevada and Mexico, and will directly affect the water supply to adjacent farmlands.

Consequences of drought: fuelling fires and disrupting food supply

The megadrought comes with both environmental and social consequences. The drier conditions fuel a more severe fire season. By the end of June 2021, more than 30,000 wildfires had affected over 1.4 million acres, the highest level recorded for this time of year since 2011.

In addition to life-threatening fires, the drought has the potential to disrupt agricultural production. California is responsible for two-thirds of U.S. fruit and nut production, and about one-third of vegetable production. Given the water-intensive nature of agriculture, it will be impossible to support the usual production levels. Many farmers have already left large areas of cropland unplanted, especially those farmers producing water-intensive crops such as almonds. In rural areas wells are running dry, jeopardising access to fresh water and sanitation. Today more than one million residents still don’t have access to fresh drinking water in California. All of this points to a huge need for water investment to improve urban and agricultural use of water.

The cost side of climate-change-related disasters

Extreme weather events and prolonged droughts directly and indirectly impact livelihoods and economic sectors, as both are strongly dependent on water.

Droughts and mega heatwaves put at risk public water supplies, negatively impact biodiversity, damage infrastructure, harm human health, and reduce energy production. This type of weather also typically results in increased electricity demand, given the need for air conditioning. This can have cascading effects on economic systems.

Looking at the economic losses caused by climate-change-related disasters, from 1980 to 2021 the U.S. had to contend with average annual costs of USD 45.4 billion. From 2020 to 2021, the National Centers for Environmental Information counted thirty separate USD 1 billion disasters, that cost the lives of nearly 600 people, and triggered expenditures amounting to over USD 128 billion.

On a global level, between 1970 and 2019 climate and water hazards accounted for 74% of all reported economic losses.

Companies helping to address growing water scarcity risks

We look at companies helping society do more with less water supply. While climate-change related drought conditions require significant long-term environmental action, companies producing technologies that help increase the water efficiency of farming can have a big impact. Centre pivot and drip irrigation can result in significant water improvements – with centre pivot irrigation technology enhancing water efficiency by up to 95%.

Outside of agriculture, improved wastewater management and recycling can also have an impact, with many of companies offering industry- leading solutions to facilitate improvements.

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Alexandra Russo

Thematic Equity Product Specialist, Allianz Global Investors