American Southwest
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Megadrought in Southwest Is Now the Worst in at Least 1,200 Years, Study Confirms
The continuation of dry conditions across a wide region has broken records going back to the year 800. Researchers believe climate change is largely to blame.
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Climate-Driven Megadrought Is Emerging in Western U.S., Says Study
Scientists say a long-feared megadrought, worse than anything in recorded history, seems to be starting up in southwestern North America.
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Richard Seager Sees Hand of Climate Change in Drought
California’s wet and snowy winter brings welcome relief from a years-long drought that has challenged the state’s water supply and agricultural system. But climate scientist Richard Seager of Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory offers words of caution: Remember what happened, because it will happen again.
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Q&A: Climate Change, Drought and the Future
“One of the ways that climate change is going to manifest is through warmer temperatures. … What we are seeing, in line with our projections, is that even if you assume constant precipitation, the temperature effects are so large that it is going to dry things out. This is going to have really big impacts…
COP31, the 2026 United Nations Climate Change Conference, aims to advance dialogue, strengthen consensus, and accelerate climate action on a global scale. From November 9–20, 2026 in Antalya, Türkiye, heads of state, ministers, scientists, business leaders, and civil society will gather to advance efforts in emission targets, climate finance, and adaptation and resilience. Once again, our experts, students, and global thought leaders from Columbia Climate School and across Columbia University are contributing to key events, sharing insights, and helping shape the dialogue toward ambitious, science-based solutions. Learn More
