How Much Has Global Warming Worsened California’s Drought? Now We Have A Number

Environment





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A dry riverbed in California. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

With each passing year, human-caused global warming bullies California for more water. Each year, the heat squeezes more moisture from soils and ecosystems.

This is because, as the atmosphere warms, its demand for moisture rises. Just as a puddle evaporates more quickly on a warm day, soils dry out more quickly during warmer years, which are becoming increasingly frequent in most locations globally.