Water

What is a megadrought, and how is it impacting major regions in the United States?

Dried-out grass in front of a mountain with the US flag at the bottom.

The Western United States is facing its most extreme megadrought in over 1,000 years. Image: Unsplash/Ross Stone

Sophie Hirsh
Writer, Green Matters
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A field with a dead tree in Arizona due to droughts.
The longer a drought lasts, the worse effects it will have on the surrounding ecosystem. Image: Unsplash/ Daniel Tuttle

A map showing West America and how areas are affected by droughts.
Many areas of California are facing a severe water shortage, with residents being ordered to ration their water use. Image: Drought Monitor.
Brown grass due to heat near a mountain in America.
Higher temperatures are caused by global warming, which is caused by increased greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Image: Unsplash/Jakayla Toney

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WaterClimate ChangeUnited States
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