Climate models: Human activity may lock Southwest into permanent drought
Human activity may drive permanent Southwest drought – climate models.
Why it matters
- Human activity is intensifying drought in the Southwest beyond natural patterns.
- Drought could become permanent without halting human-driven warming.
- Challenges the view that droughts are purely natural.
By the numbers
- Southwest US in megadrought for two decades.
- Lakes Mead and Powell at record lows.
- PDO stuck in dry phase since early 2000s due to human influence since 1950s.
The big picture
- Climate change is altering natural patterns, worsening global droughts.
- Similar risks seen in tropical regions like the Amazon.
What they're saying
- Public debates whether "permanent drought" is a new climate norm.
- Some call for clearer regional definitions (e.g., Southwest US).
Caveats
- Models may underestimate drought extent; real-world outcomes vary.
What’s next
- Better drought predictions and adaptation strategies needed.
- Halting warming is key to preventing permanent drought.