"The extreme dryness that has ravaged the American West for more than two decades now ranks as the driest 22-year period in at least 1,200 years, and scientists have found that this megadrought is being intensified by humanity’s heating of the planet.
In their research, the scientists examined major droughts in southwestern North America back to the year 800 and determined that the region’s desiccation so far this century has surpassed the severity of a megadrought in the late 1500s, making it the driest 22-year stretch on record. The authors of the study also concluded that dry conditions will likely continue through this year and, judging from the past, may persist for years.
The researchers found the current drought wouldn’t be nearly as severe without global warming. They estimated that 42% of the drought’s severity is attributable to higher temperatures caused by greenhouse gases accumulating in the atmosphere.
“The results are really concerning, because it’s showing that the drought conditions we are facing now are substantially worse because of climate change,” said Park Williams, a climate scientist at UCLA and the study’s lead author. “But that also there is quite a bit of room for drought conditions to get worse.”"
Ian James reports for the Los Angeles Times February 14, 2022.
SEE ALSO:
"West Megadrought Worsens To Driest In At Least 1,200 Years" (AP)
"How Bad Is the Western Drought? Worst in 12 Centuries, Study Finds." (New York Times)
"Study Finds Western Megadrought Is The Worst In 1,200 Years" (NPR)
"Southwest Drought Is The Most Extreme In 1,200 Years, Study Finds" (Washington Post)
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