Paleoclimate evidence affirms warmth reduces drought frequency and intensity. [emphasis, links added]
A new study utilizing Asian tree pollen records affirms that for the last 8,000 years, centennial-scale warming periods were associated with reductions in drought, famines, and crop failures.
“…warm periods were associated with increased precipitation along with relatively short-lived drought events.”
In contrast, centuries of cooling (e.g., the Little Ice Age) induced “extreme drought conditions,” or megadroughts, and thus widespread ecological hardship.
“…a cooling trend in the Northern Hemisphere may result in persistent extreme drought conditions in arid tropical regions.”
Since warming is associated with more rainfall and cooling induces drought, it is interesting that modern trends are the opposite of what would be anticipated with a warming climate.
Despite lower CO2 levels in the first half of the 20th century, there was more precipitation (warmer) from 1900-1960s and less precipitation (cooling) from the 1970s to 1990s.
“…relatively high annual precipitation before 1970 which was linked to relatively high tree pollen percentages. However, from the 1970s to the mid-1990s, both the tree pollen percentages and annual precipitation decreased”
The authors conclude that there should not be an emphasis on the dangers of global warming, but, considering the environmental consequences, “it is also important to address the potential hazards associated with cooling.”
Read more at No Tricks Zone
