According to the US Drought Monitor, every US state except Alaska and Kentucky is experiencing drought conditions, marking an unprecedented moment. This week, over 45% of the US and Puerto Rico and 54% of land in the 48 contiguous states are under drought, impacting more than 150 million people and 318 million acres of crops. These figures represent 34% and 57% dramatic increases, respectively, from just a week ago.
Despite the arrival of autumn, drought conditions persist, fueled by record summer heat and the ongoing climate crisis driven by human-induced global warming. High temperatures reduce rainfall and intensify droughts by rapidly extracting moisture from the air and soil. Compounding the issue, erratic rainfall patterns—where heavy rains come in short bursts—fail to replenish the soil effectively, leaving the land parched.
This crisis is part of a broader global water imbalance, with nearly 3 billion people worldwide facing water scarcity. Droughts disrupt ecosystems and threaten agriculture, starkly reminding us of the urgent need to address the root causes of climate change, primarily the burning of fossil fuels. Read More
News Credit: The Guardian
Picture Credit: Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images