Are Co2 Emissions a Reason of Drought in the United States

Abstract

In this study, the relationship between carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and drought (Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index) is investigated using data from 51 states in the US for the period 1997-2020. For this purpose, firstly, information about previous studies and the results of these studies are given in the study. Later, as empirical analysis, cross-section dependency tests, slope homogeneity tests, unit root analyses, cointegration tests, and causality analyses were performed. Then, short- and long-term parameter estimates are made for the entire panel and for each case. Lastly, impulse-response analyses are made. When the results are evaluated in general, it is found that CO2 emissions and drought in the US affect each other in the short and long term. CO2 emissions have been shown to have an increasing effect on drought, especially in most of the states located in the southeastern region of the US. On the other hand, CO2 emissions have been found to cause an increase in the incidence of wet periods in a significant part of the states located in the northeastern region of the US.