Q: I just moved to Arizona from Wisconsin. Is there any indication when the drought might end or is this long-term condition due to climate change? And if it doesn’t improve, what will be the impact for places like Tucson?
A: The drought we are experiencing has reportedly been going on for more than 20 years with no end in sight. Climate scientists predict it will likely get worse. The big challenge in the Southwest has always been a shortage of water. Even the earliest explorers thought the region was not a great place to build towns and cities, but we humans are sometimes determined to find a way. There are many articles and books on this subject, so there is no shortage of information if you’re interested in learning more.
“Cadillac Desert” by Marc Reisner is one of the classic books on this topic. Something more current would be the CLIMAS website at the University of Arizona, climas.arizona.edu, that assesses climate in the Southwest and includes research findings, blogs, and podcasts on many aspects of climate.
Peter L. Warren is the urban horticulture agent for the Pima County Cooperative Extension and the University of Arizona. Email questions to tucsongardensage@gmail.com
