Half of world's largest lakes are drying up: study

STORY: More than half of the world's large lakes are drying up

From the Caspian Sea to South America's Lake Titicaca

scientists assessed almost 2,000 large lakes using satellite measurements and climate models

They found a cumulative water-loss rate of around 24 billion tons over nearly three decades

That's about 17 times the volume of Lake Mead, the United States' largest reservoir

The study found that 56% of the decline was driven by climate warming and human consumption

It has intensified concerns about water for agriculture, hydropower and human consumption