Anthropogenic influence on climate change induced drought in the American Southwest

Abstract

Anthropogenic influence on climate change induced drought in the predominantly arid region of the American Southwest plays a major role in the effects it has over climate, environment, and sustainability. Topics such as fossil fuels, megadroughts, sustainability, and human roles are addressed specifically. Background and discussion sections are included as a literature review that goes over the different variables involving anthropogenic influence on climate change induced drought. Drought and climate change and natural phenomena such as monsoons are found to be linked together. However, human influences from fossil fuels and water resource usage are also a significant factor in climate change induced drought in the American Southwest. This paper demonstrates how human influence on global warming has caused an increase in drought conditions and human water usage is putting them further at risk by depleting water resources. Two paths are considered to combat water shortage issues and with one being to acquire new water resources and the other to conserve and recycle water. There may not be a single resolution to drought, but sustainable practices appear to be the best way to combat the negative effects of climate change induced drought in the American Southwest.