Intensifying Atmospheric Thirst Amplifies Drought Conditions in the Western U.S.
With rising temperatures, the atmosphere demands more moisture, intensifying drought conditions as it draws water from natural sources like soils, rivers, and crops. This phenomenon, referred to as “atmospheric thirst,” is predominantly driven by human-induced climate change, as identified by the nonprofit Climate Central.
This increasing demand for moisture is placing additional stress on water resources in Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah, regions already grappling with limited water availability. The urgency of the situation is underscored by Thomas Swetnam, a climate expert at the University of Arizona, who emphasizes the need for strategic water conservation and efforts to mitigate the root causes of climate change, stating, “We’re in a difficult time now. It’s a time when water conservation is really critical, and we really need to be thinking about how to use the water for the best value.” He further adds, “And also we need to reduce the impacts, reduce the cause – greenhouse gases.”
Research indicates that droughts in these areas are increasingly prolonged, with recovery times extending by up to four months, pushing the average duration of droughts in the West to over a year. This protraction exacerbates the effects on the environment, leading to the depletion of rivers, desiccation of agricultural land, and a heightened risk of wildfires.
Supported by the Mountain West News Bureau, this article is a collaborative effort of KUNR, Wyoming Public Media, Nevada Public Radio, Boise State Public Radio in Idaho, KUNC in Northern Colorado, KANW in New Mexico, Colorado Public Radio, KJZZ in Arizona, and NPR. Funding is partially provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and Eric and Wendy Schmidt.
