Why Are More Than Half of the World's Large Lakes Drying Up?

A study by researchers from the University of Virginia found that 53% of the world's large lakes have shrunk since 1990. This is equivalent to a loss of 22 gigatonnes of water every year, which is 17 times the volume of Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in the United States.

The study found that climate change is the main cause of the drying up of lakes; as the planet warms, evaporation rates increase, which leads to lower lake levels.

Unsustainable levels of water demand from agriculture, hydropower and human consumption are also contributing factors.

Agriculture accounts for 70% of global freshwater usage, and this demand is only going to increase as the world's population grows. Hydropower dams also have a significant impact on lake levels, as they can block the flow of water into lakes.

The shrinkage of lakes is having a serious impact on people and ecosystems around the world.

Millions of people rely on lakes for drinking water, irrigation, and transportation. The drying up of lakes can also lead to the loss of biodiversity, as many species of plants and animals are adapted to living in aquatic environments.

Without action, these problems will get worse.

By 2050, we will need to produce 70% more food to feed the world's growing population. This will put even more pressure on freshwater resources, and the drying up of lakes is likely to accelerate.

There are several solutions that can help to stem freshwater losses.