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\u2019s heating of the planet.<\/p>\n
In their research, the scientists examined major droughts in southwestern North America back to the year 800 and determined that the region\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
The researchers found the current drought wouldn\u2019t be nearly as severe without global warming. They estimated that 42% of the drought\u2019s severity is attributable to higher temperatures caused by greenhouse gases accumulating in the atmosphere.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe results are really concerning, because it\u2019s showing that the drought conditions we are facing now are substantially worse because of climate change,\u201d said Park Williams, a climate scientist at UCLA and the study\u2019s lead author. \u201cBut that also there is quite a bit of room for drought conditions to get worse.\u201d<\/p>\n
Read it all<\/a>.<\/p>\n New research finds the last 22 years are the worst drought in the American West in at least 1,200 years. <\/p>\n Scary stats: The drought is 42% worse because of climate change, and there's a 75% likelihood it lasts another 8 years: https:\/\/t.co\/I4dr2GGwUZ<\/a> via @ByIanJames<\/a><\/p>\n — Sammy Roth (@Sammy_Roth) February 14, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n \n