Western states face challenging future amid the worst drought in more than 1,000 years
Summary
The so-called megadrought that is afflicting the American West is the worst in 1,200 years, according to a study published this week. It has dried up water supplies, threatened ranchers and fueled wildfires. Park Williams, the lead author of the study just published in the journal Nature Climate Change, joins William Brangham with more.
Five Facts
Who
is interviewed in this piece, and what is his background?
When
did the "mega-drought" in the West begin?
Why
does Williams know that the current drought is the most severe in 1,200 years?
How
was Williams able to estimate that the current drought is 40% worse than it would have been without human-caused climate change?
What
are are the risks of the drought going forward?
Focus Questions
What do you think is the best way for communities in the West to adapt to long-term drought? How can the models produced by scientists like Williams help communities make decisions about the future?
Media literacy:
What new information led to the producers deciding to make this segment? (Hint: If you want to learn more of the study authored by Park Williams, see
this
.)
For More
For more on how drought can cause stress and conflict between communities that depend on limited water sources (as well as possible solutions to those conflicts), see this story.
