In John Collins Rudolf's article entitled, "Does the Southwest Face a Mega-Drought?" the author explains that a new study suggests the United States' Southwest region could go into a period of extreme prolonged drought that has not been seen in distant history. The reason that this would happen is because of rising global temperatures caused by emissions. In this study, it was found that in northern New Mexico, there was evidence that "mega-droughts" occurred and lasted as long as a thousand years. Researchers also studied interglacial periods. They found that of past trends were followed that the Southwest would eventually enter a cooler, wetter phase. But with the added warmth of global climate caused by carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases, the Southwest could enter into an era of severe drought that could last a thousand years or more. This study seems to increase the possibility of this happening and at a point in the near future.
Collins Rudolf, John. "Does the Southwest Face a Mega-Drought?" New York Times. 25 Feb. 2011. Web.
