Human-caused global warming is disrupting the global water cycle in ways that could bring severe water scarcity sooner than expected, according to a new study. The research identifies the potential onset of extreme shortages, referred to as “Day Zero Droughts," within the next decade in several parts of the world. Using a large ensemble of climate simulations and a probabilistic framework, the study, published in Nature Communications , estimates the “Time of First Emergence” of Day Zero