A recent international study has concluded that the 🍊 recent drought in the Panama Canal was driven by below-normal rainfall associated with the natural climate cycle El Niño, and 🍊 not by global warming.
The drought caused low reservoir levels that slowed cargo traffic 🍊 in the canal for most of the past year, leading to expensive headaches for shipping companies worldwide. However, only in 🍊 recent months have crossings started to pick up again.
As Panama's population grows and seaborne 🍊 trade expands, water demand is expected to be a much larger share of available supply by 2050, according to the 🍊 government. That means future El Niño years could bring even wider disruptions, not just to global shipping, but also to 🍊 water supplies for local residents.
The research team found that scant rain, not high temperatures, was 🍊 the main reason for low water in the canal's reservoirs. The scientists couldn't find a solid link between human-induced climate 🍊 change and the minor drying trend or future trends. They did, however, find a clear link between El Niño and 🍊 below-average rainfall in the area.