How Climate Change Accelerates Erosion: Causes, Impacts, and Risks

by Daniel Brouse
March 27, 2025

Soil is a vital component of the climate system and highly vulnerable to change. Erosion and degradation have severe short-term impacts and can ultimately lead to desertification.

Erosion Feedback Loop

Climate change accelerates erosion by altering weather patterns, increasing extreme weather events, and disrupting land and water interactions. More intense rainfall, rising sea levels, and prolonged droughts all contribute to faster soil loss and degradation.

In turn, erosion exacerbates climate change through multiple feedback mechanisms:

This self-reinforcing cycle makes erosion not just a consequence of climate change but also a driver, worsening environmental instability over time.

Here are some key climate mechanisms:

1. Increased Rainfall Intensity

2. Rising Sea Levels & Coastal Erosion

3. Increased Droughts & Vegetation Loss

4. Melting Permafrost & Landslides

5. Glacial Retreat & River Erosion

6. Stronger Wind Erosion

Overall Impact

Erosion worsened by climate change not only depletes fertile soils and damages infrastructure but also increases sedimentation in rivers, harming aquatic ecosystems. Coastal communities face greater risks, and agricultural lands lose productivity, exacerbating food insecurity.

More Resources

Soil Degradation and Desertification
The Rapid Acceleration of Soil Degradation and Desertification
The Decline of Penn's Sylvania: Trees and Temperate Zones
Create a sustainable and climate-resilient environment in and around your home and prevent soil degradation.

Acceleration in Climate Change
The Reign of Violent Rain

The Human Induced Climate Change Experiment

The Philadelphia Spirit Experiment Publishing Company
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