As increased global temperatures are having a noticeable impact on the Earth’s water cycle, researchers at Michigan State University have found an increased likelihood of severe droughts in the next 30 years with unequal impacts on societies with low socioeconomic development.

“There is a growing interest, not only from [the] scientific community, but also [from] public policymakers about what will happen in the near future,” said Yadu Pokhrel, associate professor in the College of Engineering at MSU. “The frequency of droughts is increasing, and we have seen what is happening in California and Texas and many other global locations [in regard to water restrictions and availability].”