A Great Aridness: Climate Change and the Future of the American Southwest

A Great Aridness examines climate change impacts in the American Southwest through on-the-ground reporting and scientific research. DeBuys travels across Arizona, New Mexico, and surrounding regions to document environmental transformations and speak with researchers, land managers, and residents. The book combines historical context about the Southwest's previous climate patterns with current data about rising temperatures, drought cycles, and ecosystem changes. Key topics include water scarcity in major cities, forest die-offs, wildfire patterns, and challenges facing Native communities. Field observations from specific locations - including the Grand Canyon, Sky Islands, and Colorado River Basin - illustrate broader regional trends and vulnerabilities. The narrative tracks how climate shifts are already affecting human settlements, agriculture, and wildlife in the region. This work connects local environmental changes to global climate patterns while exploring questions about adaptation, resilience, and the future habitability of arid lands. The Southwest serves as a case study for how communities might respond to climate pressures in the coming decades.

Readers describe the book as thorough and well-researched, though some found it overwhelming in detail. Multiple reviewers note deBuys' skill at weaving history, science, and personal narratives into the climate discussion. Liked: - Clear explanations of complex climate science - Strong focus on specific Southwest locations and issues - Quality of writing and storytelling - Integration of historical context - Inclusion of Native American perspectives Disliked: - Dense academic writing style - Too much detail for casual readers - Some repetition between chapters - Limited discussion of potential solutions - Focus sometimes wanders from main topic Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (124 ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (46 ratings) One Amazon reviewer called it "the most comprehensive book on Southwest climate change." Multiple Goodreads reviewers mentioned struggling with the academic tone but appreciating the depth of research. Several noted it works better as a reference book than a cover-to-cover read.

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🌵 The author, William deBuys, is a Pulitzer Prize finalist who has written nine books about the American Southwest and has lived in New Mexico for over four decades. 🏜️ The book combines historical analysis, climate science, and personal observations from the author's extensive travels with scientists throughout the Southwest region. 🌡️ The research presented shows that the American Southwest has experienced more temperature increase than any other region in the continental United States, making it a "early warning system" for climate change impacts. 💧 The Colorado River, a key focus in the book, now loses nearly 1.5 million acre-feet of water to evaporation annually – enough to supply Los Angeles for more than two years. 🌿 The book details how Native American civilizations, particularly the Ancestral Puebloans (formerly known as Anasazi), adapted to severe climate changes in the Southwest over thousands of years, offering potential lessons for modern adaptation strategies.