Is drought in Arizona and the Southwest the new normal?
Two decades of the Southwest megadrought have marked Arizona’s driest period in 1,200 years. With climate change in full swing, greenhouse emissions well above pledged targets and the state facing cutbacks to its share of dwindling Colorado River water, many wonder: Is drought the new normal? In an ideal world, drought would be as simple as the settings on a hair dryer: more heat, more evaporation. But it’s not an ideal world, and less so every day, thanks to climate change, rising water demand — and changing land use.
Related articles:
- Arizona Department of Water Resources: Arizona’s Colorado River Leaders Provide Update On Discussions To Save The System
- UC Riverside: News release: The Colorado River is imperiled; why it matters to you
- Summit Daily: Is cloud seeding a potential solution to Colorado’s drought?
- JFleck Instain: A century ago in Colorado River compact negotiations: Where to draw the line?
- JFleck Instain: A century ago in Colorado River Compact Negotiations: Turning to Murky Details