The US West is drying up. And with it, the belief that water is a given

Drought plagues planet Earth in many places. However, the western United States is currently experiencing the worst drought it has seen in 1,200 years. Extreme droughts, known in America as megadroughts, have been going on for more than two decades. Moreover, their intensity has surpassed even the worst droughts of the uninhabited period. And improvement is not imminent.

Scientists have been studying droughts for years. At Columbia University, it has been found that the drought in the southwestern US is caused both by natural influences and by the way people treat the planet. It is a combination of atmospheric cycles and human irresponsibility.

A permanent phenomenon?

The situation does not appear to be improving. Many people are afraid that it will get worse. Unfortunately, scientists see this as a possibility in the near future. Some say the situation could even be permanent. Conditions will probably never get to the point where the area will be available in the condition needed.

Key resources such as the Mead and Powell reservoirs are drying up, with serious implications for the region’s water supply and electricity generation. For example, the Mead Reservoir, which supplies water to millions of people, has reached historic lows in water levels. By 2027, the level of Lake Mead is expected to drop to a record low of 1,037 feet above sea level.

Loss of confidence

Although much of this is due to nature’s influence, people are realizing that there are problems elsewhere. So they blame mainly the authorities, who they believe should be taking care of the problem. People in dry areas are worried about their homes, many are already moving, others are thinking about it. Soon, it seems, it will be impossible to live a normal life in some places because of the lack of water.

But it’s not just about distrust of high-ranking people. In problematic areas , disputes arise between local communities, farmers, Indian tribes and government institutions. Tensions are manifested in political debates, in disputes that often escalate into litigation, and in various protests and public challenges.

History will not repeat itself

Some areas of the Americas have been dried up in the past. Many times, plant and animal species have disappeared and people have died. Water was not commonplace. Although a solution was found several times, it was always only temporary and droughts returned. This time, unfortunately, it seems that even that temporary solution will not be found. The situation is getting worse and worse. Scientists are warning that parts of western America will soon be simply uninhabitable.