Climate change causes more flooding

The results of a new study published in the journal Nature show that global climate will increase the risk of flooding more than previously anticipated.

Flood in Sudan (Photo: BBC)

Scientists say that the rise of CO2 in the atmosphere will reduce the ability to absorb water so rivers are easier to fill. But researchers also say that the earth will be less drought than it was predicted.

Researchers at the Meteorological Center in the UK say models that predict floods do not take into account the effects of increased CO2 on plants. It was found that stomata on trees, small holes for evapotranspiration, were not wide open when the amount of gas months increased in the air. That means the tree reduces its ability to absorb water every time it rains heavily.

Scientists say that rain will pour into the river more. Globally, the amount of extra rainwater can be up to 6% if the amount of carbon dioxide increases to the predicted level. However, scientists say that if flooding increases, the risk of drought will not be as much as expected.