Episode 14: Megadrought

I take a break from peasant-noble talk to dive into a very real, very critical issue for much of the western US. The ongoing megadrought. This has the ability to affect drinking water supplies for millions of people, agriculture and labor where the impacts will ripple across the entire US food chain. Whether you write dystopian and are looking for ways for “society” to crumble, or thinking of things that would impact your urban fantasy (research crime statistics during heat waves and this one is historic), the ongoing issues will have an impact on your writing. Plus, it’s just heartbreaking for people and animals and the environment alike to watch.

Some reference points:

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/megadrought-persists-in-western-us-as-another-extremely-dry-year-develops

https://www.forbes.com/sites/ericmack/2021/06/03/scientists-said-the-west-was-entering-a-megadrought-now-its-twice-as-bad/?sh=624614151e9d

https://www.economist.com/the-economist-explains/2021/06/15/is-the-american-west-in-a-megadrought