Interviewer: According to the Brazilian Geological Survey, it seems the Madeira River in the Amazon Basin has hit unprecedented low water levels. Can you elaborate on this alarming development?

Expert: Yes, that’s correct. This finding coincides with the World Meteorological Organization’s Global Water Resources Report, which indicates that 2023 has seen the lowest global river flow in over three decades. Drought conditions are currently widespread across the southern United States, Central America, and several South American countries, particularly Argentina, Brazil, Peru, and Uruguay. The WMO experts are highlighting that the scale of drought this year is unprecedented in the last 33 years, putting approximately 3.6 billion people at risk of water shortages.

Interviewer: What factors are contributing to this significant reduction in river flow?

Expert: The WMO attributes the drastic decline in river flow largely to record-high temperatures observed in 2023. We’ve witnessed severe droughts across North America, Central America, and South America, which have led to historically low water levels in major rivers, including the Mississippi and the Amazon.

Interviewer: That’s concerning. Can you tell us more about the trend in global river flow and glacier melt?

Expert: Certainly. We have now seen global river flow remain below normal for five consecutive years, significantly impacting the availability of freshwater for residential, agricultural, and ecological use. Additionally, 2023 has continued the alarming trend of glacier mass loss in all glacier regions worldwide for a second straight year. The amount of glacial melt, crucial for many rivers, has reached its highest level in 50 years. Preliminary data suggests that between September 2022 and August 2023, the global water loss from glaciers exceeded 600 billion tons, marking the most severe glacier melting event on record and posing a serious threat to long-term water security for millions around the world.

Interviewer: The numbers are staggering. How many people are currently affected by this water scarcity, and what does the future hold?

Expert: Currently, around 3.6 billion people face water scarcity for at least one month each year, a figure projected to rise to 5 billion by 2050 if current trends continue.

Interviewer: I also came across a study published in the UK journal “Nature” that suggests summer 2023 was not only the hottest summer on record but the hottest in approximately 2,000 years. How does this relate to the ongoing droughts?

Expert: Indeed, this rising global temperature has worsened long-term drought conditions. The report outlines the extreme climate challenges faced by many regions, characterized by both droughts and severe flooding. For example, Libya experienced devastating flooding in September 2023, leading to the collapse of two dams and resulting in over 11,000 fatalities, affecting about 22% of the country’s population. In addition, the droughts impacting the southern United States and several South American countries have caused significant economic losses. Argentina, for instance, saw its GDP decline by 3% due to these adverse conditions.