Scientists use clues from trees to put the current drought into perspective

To say it's dry in the West is an understatement – the U.S. is experiencing the most intense drought in modern history, U.S. Drought Monitor reported this week. The consequences are significant for the economy of the West and the rest of the country, which depends on resources that come from there. CBS News climate specialist Jeff Berardelli explains.

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[jimmyboy]

I got an idea turn golf courses into forests. All of them.

[JaySee]

Do all the studies you want. The fact of the matter is, the people who can make a change never will because of money and greed.

[KevinP]

it hit me hard when he said if that lake was at full capacity that he would be standing UNDER 80 ft of water where he was. smh.

[editingkinga]

Please, folks, no gender-reveal parties!

[andyginterblues]

Those trees were around when native Americans discovered Christopher Columbus.

[quantumphaser]

"Major cities will be out of drinking water by 2025, wildfires will be rampant and Hoover Dam will no longer produce power." - A warning from 30 years ago that was laughed at. You reap what you sow. Now deal with it.

[ethantruong]

Dammit man, put our tax paying money into saving the damn planet. We need alot of Replanting to do.

[steadystackin]

Its been raining basically non stop here in Michigan

[armandovanhaaren]

Cutting down trees causes dryer weather because it means less water vapor in the air

[irenicrose]

when the sequoia trees that are known to be able to withstand wildfires and have done so for years start to burn up, we have a problem.

[roseroses]

"Modern history" for weather in the west is 136 years. Tree rings are the only way to know the growing history before 1880.

[stevenmuir]

God has cared for these trees, saved them from drought, disease, avalanches, and a thousand tempests and floods. But he cannot save them from fools.

[worldcitizeng]

for those who still brush your teeth while leaving the facet running, think twice before you continue this bad habit. First, wasting water, second, you brush too little time.

[Iconoclasher]

That $100B "bullet train" they're building to connect Bakersfield to Fresno could build about 50 desalination facilities and probably nullify the worst of the drought.

[willits]

There is a problem with tree ring data. If a tree grows in dense forest the tree rings will also look smaller like in a drought condition. A cold summer will do the same thing also.

[stevenmcfarland]

If you ask the trees they say
Humans lifestyles in cities is causing the drought.

[RandalColling]

Meanwhile here in Dallas we have WAY TOO MUCH rain! All the lakes and rivers are flooded. Entire parking lots under water.

[genekelly]

The ancient cliff dwellings of the southwest (New Mexico and Arizona) were abandoned around 1200 AD... they were never-reinhabited; this drought lasted over 250 years. We have known this since the 1940s. The SW should NOT be farmed with artificial irrigation. Las Vegas may soon have to be abandoned-when Lake Mead dries up-no water, no electricity.

[Whocares.........]

The USGS has documented all of the aquifers in this land.! Fracking does not fill them up. When they’re gone…
we aren’t far behind.

[LTV_inc]

The bullet train funding alone could finance a desalination plant that could supply all of LA…….