A study published on Wednesday revealed that groundwater levels around the world have experienced widespread and "accelerated" decline over the past four decades, amid unsustainable irrigation practices and the effects of climate change. The study, published in the scientific journal Nature, emphasized that groundwater is a major source of fresh water for farms, households, and industries, and its depletion could lead to severe economic and environmental risks, including declining crop yields and catastrophic land subsidence, particularly in coastal areas.
Scott Jastschko from the University of California and one of the study's contributors stated that "one of the main possible reasons behind the rapid and accelerated decline of groundwater is the excessive withdrawal of groundwater for irrigated agriculture in dry climates." He added that drought caused by climate change has also had an impact, as farmers are likely withdrawing more groundwater to ensure the irrigation of their crops. The study, which analyzed 170,000 wells in over 40 countries, indicated that the depletion was particularly evident in arid climates with extensive agricultural lands. Northern China, Iran, and the western United States were among the most affected areas.
