Nearly all U.S. states are experiencing drought conditions, affecting over 150 million people and severely impacting agricultural productivity.
Marina Dunbar reports for The Guardian.
In short:
- Forty-five percent of the U.S. and Puerto Rico faces drought, with conditions worsening even after a record-hot summer.
- Droughts have intensified, now covering 318 million acres of crops, up 57% in the last month.
- Higher temperatures drive droughts, depleting soil moisture and increasing the demand on groundwater supplies, essential for agriculture.
Key quote:
“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.”
— Dr. Lifeng Luo, professor of environmental science at Michigan State University
Why this matters:
Widespread drought jeopardizes food security and economic stability, as reduced water supply raises farming costs and product prices. With increased strain on groundwater and other water reserves, these droughts highlight the urgent need for sustainable water management amid climate change.
