In 2000, drought began gripping the American West. By 2021, tree rings showed its driest 22-year period in 1,200 years
The American West did not suddenly run out of water, the crisis built slowly. Around 2000, a prolonged drought began spreading across the region, with dry conditions returning year after year and leaving less moisture in the ground. Reservoirs fell, vegetation struggled and the effects of each dry season began adding to the losses of…