The megadrought in the American Southwest has become so severe that it’s now the driest two decades in the region in at least 1,200 years, scientists said Monday, and climate change is largely responsible.

The drought, which began in 2000 and has reduced water supplies, devastated farmers and ranchers and helped fuel wildfires across the region, had previously been considered the worst in 500 years, according to the researchers.

But exceptional conditions in the summer of 2021, when about two-thirds of the West was in extreme drought, “really pushed it over the top,” said A. Park Williams, a climate scientist at the University of California, Los Angeles, who led an analysis using tree ring data to gauge drought. As a result, 2000-21 is the driest 22-year period since A.D. 800, which is as far back as the data goes.

The analysis also showed that human-caused warming played a major role in making the current drought so extreme.

There would have been a drought regardless of climate change, Williams said. “But its severity would have been only about 60% of what it was,” he said.

Julie Cole, a climate scientist at the University of Michigan who was not involved in the research, said that while the findings were not surprising, “the study just makes clear how unusual the current conditions are.”

Cole said the study also confirms the role of temperature, more than precipitation, in driving exceptional droughts. Precipitation amounts can go up and down over time and can vary regionally, she said. But as human activities continue to pump greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, temperatures are more generally rising.

As they do “the air is basically more capable of pulling the water out of the soil, out of vegetation, out of crops, out of forests,” Cole said. “And it makes for drought conditions to be much more extreme.”

Although there is no uniform definition, a megadrought is generally considered to be one that is both severe and long, on the order of several decades. But even in a megadrought there can be periods when wet conditions prevail. It’s just that there are not enough consecutive wet years to end the drought.

That has been the case in the current Western drought, during which there have been several wet years, most notably 2005. The study, which was published in the journal Nature Climate Change, determined that climate change was responsible for the continuation of the current drought after that year.

“By our calculations, it’s a little bit of extra dryness in the background average conditions due to human-caused climate change that basically kept 2005 from ending the drought event,” Williams said.

Climate change also makes it more likely that the drought will continue, the study found.

“This drought at 22 years is still in full swing,” Williams said, “and it is very, very likely that this drought will survive to last 23 years.”

Several previous megadroughts in the 1,200-year record lasted as long as 30 years, according to the researchers. Their analysis concluded that it is likely that the current drought will last that long. If it does, Williams said, it is almost certain that it will be drier than any previous 30-year period.

Tree rings are a year-by-year measure of growth — wider in wet years, thinner in dry ones. Using observational climate data over the past century, researchers have been able to closely link tree ring width to moisture content in the soil, which is a common measure of drought. Then they have applied that width-moisture relationship to data from much older trees. The result “is an almost perfect record of soil moisture” over 12 centuries in the Southwest, Williams said.

Using that record, the researchers determined that last summer was the second driest in the past 300 years, with only 2002, in the early years of the current drought, being drier.

Monsoon rains in the desert Southwest last summer had offered hope that the drought might come to an end, as did heavy rain and snow in California from the fall into December.

But January produced record-dry conditions across much of the West, Williams said, and so far February has been dry as well. Reservoirs that a few months ago were at above-normal levels for the time of year are now below normal again, and mountain snowpack is also suffering. Seasonal forecasts also suggest the dryness will continue.

“This year could end up being wet,” Williams said, “but the dice are increasingly loaded toward this year playing out to be an abnormally dry year.”

Samantha Stevenson, a climate modeler at the University of California, Santa Barbara, who was not involved in the study, said the research shows the same thing that projections show — that the Southwest, like some other parts of the world, is becoming even more parched.

Not everywhere is becoming increasingly arid, she said.

“But in the Western U.S. it is for sure," Stevenson said. "And that’s primarily because of the warming of the land surface, with some contribution from precipitation changes as well.”

“We’re sort of shifting into basically unprecedented times relative to anything we’ve seen in the last several hundred years,” she added.

The megadrought in the American Southwest has become so severe that it’s now the driest two decades in the region in at least 1,200 years, scientists said Monday, and climate change is largely responsible.

The megadrought in the American Southwest has become so severe that it’s now the driest two decades in the region in at least 1,200 years, scientists said Monday, and climate change is largely responsible. The drought, which began in 2000 and has reduced water supplies, devastated farmers and ranchers and helped fuel wildfires across the region, had previously been considered the worst in 500 years, according to the researchers. But exceptional conditions in the summer of 2021, when about two-thirds of the West was in extreme drought, “really pushed it over the top,” said A. Park Williams, a climate scientist at the University of California, Los Angeles, who led an analysis using tree ring data to gauge drought. As a result, 2000-21 is the driest 22-year period since A.D. 800, which is as far back as the data goes. The analysis also showed that human-caused warming played a major role in making the current drought so extreme. There would have been a drought regardless of climate change, Williams said. “But its severity would have been only about 60% of what it was,” he said. Julie Cole, a climate scientist at the University of Michigan who was not involved in the research, said that while the findings were not surprising, “the study just makes clear how unusual the current conditions are.” Cole said the study also confirms the role of temperature, more than precipitation, in driving exceptional droughts. Precipitation amounts can go up and down over time and can vary regionally, she said. But as human activities continue to pump greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, temperatures are more generally rising. As they do “the air is basically more capable of pulling the water out of the soil, out of vegetation, out of crops, out of forests,” Cole said. “And it makes for drought conditions to be much more extreme.” Although there is no uniform definition, a megadrought is generally considered to be one that is both severe and long, on the order of several decades. But even in a megadrought there can be periods when wet conditions prevail. It’s just that there are not enough consecutive wet years to end the drought. That has been the case in the current Western drought, during which there have been several wet years, most notably 2005. The study, which was published in the journal Nature Climate Change, determined that climate change was responsible for the continuation of the current drought after that year. “By our calculations, it’s a little bit of extra dryness in the background average conditions due to human-caused climate change that basically kept 2005 from ending the drought event,” Williams said. Climate change also makes it more likely that the drought will continue, the study found. “This drought at 22 years is still in full swing,” Williams said, “and it is very, very likely that this drought will survive to last 23 years.” Several previous megadroughts in the 1,200-year record lasted as long as 30 years, according to the researchers. Their analysis concluded that it is likely that the current drought will last that long. If it does, Williams said, it is almost certain that it will be drier than any previous 30-year period. Tree rings are a year-by-year measure of growth — wider in wet years, thinner in dry ones. Using observational climate data over the past century, researchers have been able to closely link tree ring width to moisture content in the soil, which is a common measure of drought. Then they have applied that width-moisture relationship to data from much older trees. The result “is an almost perfect record of soil moisture” over 12 centuries in the Southwest, Williams said. Using that record, the researchers determined that last summer was the second driest in the past 300 years, with only 2002, in the early years of the current drought, being drier. Monsoon rains in the desert Southwest last summer had offered hope that the drought might come to an end, as did heavy rain and snow in California from the fall into December. But January produced record-dry conditions across much of the West, Williams said, and so far February has been dry as well. Reservoirs that a few months ago were at above-normal levels for the time of year are now below normal again, and mountain snowpack is also suffering. Seasonal forecasts also suggest the dryness will continue. “This year could end up being wet,” Williams said, “but the dice are increasingly loaded toward this year playing out to be an abnormally dry year.” Samantha Stevenson, a climate modeler at the University of California, Santa Barbara, who was not involved in the study, said the research shows the same thing that projections show — that the Southwest, like some other parts of the world, is becoming even more parched. Not everywhere is becoming increasingly arid, she said. “But in the Western U.S. it is for sure," Stevenson said. "And that’s primarily because of the warming of the land surface, with some contribution from precipitation changes as well.” “We’re sort of shifting into basically unprecedented times relative to anything we’ve seen in the last several hundred years,” she added.

How bad is the Western drought? Worst in 12 centuries, study finds

Nutritious food is essential for survival of the human beings. Well, at several times, many people tend to eat whatever looks good or seems tasty without understanding about its effect on the health. &nbsp;&nbsp;

This issue has become a big cause of concern for several people as several health problems have been mounting in the society for some time. These can be attributed to lifestyle, food choices, less or no workout and others. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/will-not-accept-contaminated-chinese-fertiliser-sri-lankas-director-general-of-agriculture-affirms-426287" hreflang="en">Sri Lanka won't take China's contaminated fertiliser, reaffirms farm official</a>

Well, no need to fret as a new gadget has been developed by Irish engineers, Aonghus Shortt and Peter Harte, which can prove beneficial in this regard. &nbsp;

These engineers have founded FoodMarble, a startup, which has invented portable devices. &nbsp;&nbsp;

These devices measure just 5 centimeters in length. It can test the hydrogen levels in a person's breath, which is a key signal for digestive disorders.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-a-first-astronauts-get-to-relish-space-grown-chillies-on-iss-426304" hreflang="en">In a first, astronauts get to relish space-grown chillies on ISS</a>&nbsp;

The device allows users to test for hydrogen after meals. It gives real-time feedback on what food is bad for body. &nbsp;

This device can prove helpful in solving several health issues as it tells what to eat. After the problem is identified, many lifestyle and dietary changes can fix it permanently.&nbsp;

The readings from the device are transmitted to the app through Bluetooth. Users can log what they eat and over a course of time,&nbsp;spot the ingredients that trigger the symptoms. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Nutritious food is essential for survival of the human beings. Well, at several times, many people tend to eat whatever looks good or seems tasty without understanding about its effect on the health.

Nutritious food is essential for survival of the human beings. Well, at several times, many people tend to eat whatever looks good or seems tasty without understanding about its effect on the health. This issue has become a big cause of concern for several people as several health problems have been mounting in the society for some time. These can be attributed to lifestyle, food choices, less or no workout and others. Also Read: Sri Lanka won't take China's contaminated fertiliser, reaffirms farm official Well, no need to fret as a new gadget has been developed by Irish engineers, Aonghus Shortt and Peter Harte, which can prove beneficial in this regard. These engineers have founded FoodMarble, a startup, which has invented portable devices. These devices measure just 5 centimeters in length. It can test the hydrogen levels in a person's breath, which is a key signal for digestive disorders. Also Read: In a first, astronauts get to relish space-grown chillies on ISS The device allows users to test for hydrogen after meals. It gives real-time feedback on what food is bad for body. This device can prove helpful in solving several health issues as it tells what to eat. After the problem is identified, many lifestyle and dietary changes can fix it permanently. The readings from the device are transmitted to the app through Bluetooth. Users can log what they eat and over a course of time, spot the ingredients that trigger the symptoms. (With inputs from agencies)

Now, a new gadget can tell what food is bad for your body

China's parliament will consider legislation to punish parents if their young children exhibit "very bad behaviour" or commit crimes.

In the draft of the family education promotion law, guardians will be reprimanded and ordered to go through family education guidance programmes if prosecutors find very bad or criminal behaviour in children under their care.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/exhausted-chinese-employees-start-worker-lives-matter-campaign-over-grueling-work-hours-421420">Exhausted Chinese employees start 'worker lives matter' campaign over grueling work hours</a>

"There are many reasons for adolescents to misbehave, and the lack of or inappropriate family education is the major cause," said Zang Tiewei, spokesman of the Legislative Affairs Commission under the National People's Congress (NPC).

The draft family education promotion law, which will be reviewed at the NPC Standing Committee session this week, also urges parents to arrange time for their children to rest, play, and exercise.

Beijing has exercised a more assertive paternal hand this year, from tacking the addiction of youngsters to online games, deemed a form of "spiritual opium", to clamping down on "blind" worship of internet celebrities.

In recent months, the education ministry has limited gaming hours for minors, allowing them to play online games for one hour on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday only.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/with-new-hypersonic-missile-test-in-august-china-surprised-us-officials-421414">With new hypersonic missile test in August, China surprised US officials</a>

It has also cut back on homework and banned after-school tutoring for major subjects during the weekend and holidays, concerned about the heavy academic burden on overwhelmed children.

At the same time, China is urging young Chinese men to be less "feminine" and more "manly".

In its "Proposal to Prevent the Feminisation of Male Adolescents" issued in December, the education ministry urged schools to promote on-campus sports such as soccer.

China's parliament will consider legislation to punish parents if their young children exhibit "very bad behaviour" or commit crimes. In the draft of the family education promotion law, guardians will be reprimanded and ordered to go through family education guidance programmes if prosecutors find very bad or criminal behaviour in children under their care.

China's parliament will consider legislation to punish parents if their young children exhibit "very bad behaviour" or commit crimes. In the draft of the family education promotion law, guardians will be reprimanded and ordered to go through family education guidance programmes if prosecutors find very bad or criminal behaviour in children under their care. Also Read | Exhausted Chinese employees start 'worker lives matter' campaign over grueling work hours "There are many reasons for adolescents to misbehave, and the lack of or inappropriate family education is the major cause," said Zang Tiewei, spokesman of the Legislative Affairs Commission under the National People's Congress (NPC). The draft family education promotion law, which will be reviewed at the NPC Standing Committee session this week, also urges parents to arrange time for their children to rest, play, and exercise. Beijing has exercised a more assertive paternal hand this year, from tacking the addiction of youngsters to online games, deemed a form of "spiritual opium", to clamping down on "blind" worship of internet celebrities. In recent months, the education ministry has limited gaming hours for minors, allowing them to play online games for one hour on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday only. Also Read | With new hypersonic missile test in August, China surprised US officials It has also cut back on homework and banned after-school tutoring for major subjects during the weekend and holidays, concerned about the heavy academic burden on overwhelmed children. At the same time, China is urging young Chinese men to be less "feminine" and more "manly". In its "Proposal to Prevent the Feminisation of Male Adolescents" issued in December, the education ministry urged schools to promote on-campus sports such as soccer.

China drafts law to punish parents for children's bad behaviour

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday talked about the menace of terrorism spreading in the world, during the plenary session of the World Economic Forum.&nbsp;

While addressing the world leaders, the prime minister said that terrorism is a grave concern and what is more dangerous is the artificial distinction made between &#39;good terrorist&#39; and &#39;bad terrorist&#39;.

He also said India&#39;s position on the terrorism is well known and he would not like to elaborate on that.

&ldquo;Terrorism is dangerous. Worse is when people say there is a difference between &#39;good&#39; and &#39;bad&#39; terror. It is painful to see some youngsters getting radicalised,&rdquo; the Prime Minister said before global business and political leaders.

Last year, PM Modi had called on nations to take responsibility to ensure that the digital space does not become a playground for the dark forces of terrorism.&nbsp;

PM Modi had stated that for over four decades, India had been raising the issue of terrorism.&nbsp;

&ldquo;Initially the world did not take us seriously, but now the world is realising the destructive aspects of terrorism. The world will have to join hands to eliminate terrorism.&quot;

Narendra Modi became the first Indian prime minister in two decades to address the World Economic Forum (WEF) here today during which he talked about serious challenges and grave concerns facing the world.&nbsp;

The prime minister said that India's position on the menace of terrorism is well known

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday talked about the menace of terrorism spreading in the world, during the plenary session of the World Economic Forum. While addressing the world leaders, the prime minister said that terrorism is a grave concern and what is more dangerous is the artificial distinction made between 'good terrorist' and 'bad terrorist'. He also said India's position on the terrorism is well known and he would not like to elaborate on that. “Terrorism is dangerous. Worse is when people say there is a difference between 'good' and 'bad' terror. It is painful to see some youngsters getting radicalised,” the Prime Minister said before global business and political leaders. Last year, PM Modi had called on nations to take responsibility to ensure that the digital space does not become a playground for the dark forces of terrorism. PM Modi had stated that for over four decades, India had been raising the issue of terrorism. “Initially the world did not take us seriously, but now the world is realising the destructive aspects of terrorism. The world will have to join hands to eliminate terrorism." Narendra Modi became the first Indian prime minister in two decades to address the World Economic Forum (WEF) here today during which he talked about serious challenges and grave concerns facing the world.

Nothing more dangerous than differentiating between terrorism as 'good' and 'bad': PM Modi

Actor Bryan Cranston has been roped in to play Zordon in the &quot;Power Rangers&quot; remake. 
 
The 60-year-old six-time Emmy winner broke the news on Twitter. 
 
&quot;Excited to play #Zordon in the #PowerRangersMovie! T or F: #BlueRanger Billy Cranston was named after what actor?,&quot; he wrote, noting that Billy Cranston, the Blue Ranger, was named after him. 
 
The &quot;Breaking Bad&quot; alum has worked with the Power Rangers franchise previously as well, voicing Snizard and Twin Man on the &quot;Mighty Morphin Power Rangers&quot; series in the early &#39;90s. 
 
The film will chronicle the adventures of five high school students who must save the planet, which includes their town of Angel Grove, from alien destruction. 
 
Elizabeth Banks is playing the villain, Rita Repulsa, while the young cast includes Becky G as Yellow Ranger Trini, Ludi Lin as Black Ranger Zack, Dacre Montgomery as Red Ranger Jason, Naomi Scott as Pink Ranger Kimberly, and RJ Cyler as Blue Ranger Billy. 
The film is scheduled to release in March 2017. 
 
(PTI)

The 60-year-old six-time Emmy winner broke the news that he'd be playing 'Zordon' on Twitter

Actor Bryan Cranston has been roped in to play Zordon in the "Power Rangers" remake. The 60-year-old six-time Emmy winner broke the news on Twitter. "Excited to play #Zordon in the #PowerRangersMovie! T or F: #BlueRanger Billy Cranston was named after what actor?," he wrote, noting that Billy Cranston, the Blue Ranger, was named after him. The "Breaking Bad" alum has worked with the Power Rangers franchise previously as well, voicing Snizard and Twin Man on the "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers" series in the early '90s. The film will chronicle the adventures of five high school students who must save the planet, which includes their town of Angel Grove, from alien destruction. Elizabeth Banks is playing the villain, Rita Repulsa, while the young cast includes Becky G as Yellow Ranger Trini, Ludi Lin as Black Ranger Zack, Dacre Montgomery as Red Ranger Jason, Naomi Scott as Pink Ranger Kimberly, and RJ Cyler as Blue Ranger Billy. The film is scheduled to release in March 2017. (PTI)

Breaking Bad's Bryan Cranston to star in Power Rangers reboot

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