The Guardian - Nearly all of US states are facing droughts, an unprecedented number
“Climate change can cause extremes in both directions, when it rains really hard, it’s not going to really penetrate into the soil. It becomes runoff, which produces floods.”
Lone Rock, surrounded by cracked earth where water once reached at the Lake Powell Wahweap Bay area in Utah on 2 September 2022. Photograph: Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images
A recent article from The Guardian highlights an alarming reality: nearly all US states—except Alaska and Kentucky—are facing drought conditions after a summer of record-breaking heat. According to the US Drought Monitor, more than 150 million people and 318 million acres of crops are affected, marking a 150% increase in impacted individuals and a 57% rise in affected farmland compared to last month.
“Droughts affect water resources, agriculture, transportation, which can overall impact the economy, to have a broad relief, we need regular precipitation, and there’s no simple answer to getting that.”
The drought now covers 45% of the US and Puerto Rico, including 54% of the contiguous 48 states. Experts warn that these conditions, driven by the climate crisis, underscore the urgent need for action. High temperatures, intensified by global warming, are accelerating the evaporation of moisture from the earth and atmosphere. Even heavy rains fail to alleviate the issue, as they often lead to runoff rather than proper absorption into the ground.
The implications extend far beyond water scarcity:
Agriculture: Groundwater, which supplies over 40% of the water used in US agriculture, is under immense strain, with states like California losing billions in crop revenue.
Infrastructure: Low river levels disrupt transportation routes, increasing shipping costs and consumer prices.
Economy: The cascading effects on agriculture, water resources, and infrastructure create significant economic burdens.
Experts caution that small-scale conservation efforts, such as shorter showers, provide minimal relief in reversing these droughts. Instead, a broader strategy that includes sustainable water management and addressing the root causes of climate change is essential.
As climate change continues to challenge water availability, initiatives like the Canada1Water project (C1W) play a critical role. By delivering precise data and insights into hydrological systems, C1W empowers researchers and policymakers to develop strategies to mitigate the effects of water scarcity and safeguard resources for the future.