NIKKEI Film: The "megadrought" striking the American Southwest

Key Concepts

• Mega-drought: A prolonged and severe drought lasting decades.
• Soil Moisture: The amount of water held in the soil, a critical indicator of drought conditions.
• Virtual Water: The water used to produce goods and services, effectively “embedded” within them.
• Groundwater Depletion: The removal of groundwater faster than it is replenished, leading to declining water tables.
• Aquifers: Underground layers of rock and soil that hold groundwater.
• Land Subsidance: The sinking of land due to groundwater extraction.
• Water Rights: Legal entitlements to use water resources.
• Water Trading/Financialization of Water: The buying and selling of water rights as a commodity, often by investment firms.

Drying Planet: A Crisis of Water Scarcity in the American Southwest

The documentary focuses on the escalating water crisis, particularly in the American Southwest, driven by climate change, unsustainable consumption, and the financialization of a vital resource. It highlights the impact on communities, agriculture, and the environment, using data analysis, personal stories, and case studies to illustrate the severity of the situation.

Global Drying Trends & Data Analysis

NIK analysis of 40 years of soil moisture data reveals a concerning global trend of rapid drying. Areas experiencing drier-than-normal conditions (indicated in red on maps) have expanded significantly since the early 2000s, encompassing regions including northern China, Russia, Central Asia (around the Aral Sea), Sub-Saharan Africa, the southeastern Amazon rainforest, and North America. The American Southwest, specifically the Colorado River basin, is identified as being in a 20th year “mega-drought.” This prolonged drought threatens agricultural production, particularly hay exports to countries like Japan.

The Navajo Nation: Firsthand Impacts of Drought

The documentary features Mike Benal, a resident of the Navajo Nation in Arizona, who describes the increasingly harsh conditions. Approximately 30% of Navajo households lack running water, and the traditional monsoon rains are becoming increasingly unreliable. Analysis of 40 years of weather data for the Navajo Nation shows a downward trend in precipitation during the July-September monsoon season, coupled with a 2.4°C rise in summer temperatures. This leads to rapid vegetation drying, increased wildfire risk, and challenges for livestock owners like the individual interviewed who had to sell half of their sheep due to the cost of hay. Traditional water sources, like windmills, are failing as groundwater levels decline, forcing residents to travel for water. Betty Barlo Salt, another resident, notes the health impacts of dust and smoke from wildfires exacerbated by the dry conditions.

Colorado River Basin: Declining Reservoir Levels & Groundwater Loss

Lake Powell, the second-largest reservoir in the US, is experiencing a dramatic decline in water levels. It’s currently 35 feet lower than its peak in 1983-84 (37120 ft). The decline is linked to reduced snowfall in the Rocky Mountains, the source of the Colorado River. Projections indicate a further 30-foot drop by the end of the year, potentially impacting the dam’s ability to generate power.

However, surface water loss is only part of the problem. Research from Arizona State University, utilizing data from the US-German GRACE satellite, reveals that groundwater depletion in Arizona over the past 23 years equates to the storage capacity of Lake Mead – approximately 27.8 million acre-feet. Groundwater losses account for 70% of the total water storage losses in the Colorado River basin, making it the dominant factor in the crisis. Confined aquifers, which are isolated from the environment, are particularly vulnerable as they have limited potential for recharge. Abdul Mosen emphasizes the limitations of current technology in accurately assessing remaining groundwater reserves.

Unsustainable Consumption & The Role of Agriculture

The documentary highlights that climate change isn’t the sole driver of the water crisis. Increasing consumption, fueled by population growth, expanding farmland, and industrial development, is a significant contributor. Arizona’s population has grown by nearly 1 million in the last decade, and the state is actively attracting foreign industry, such as the TSMC semiconductor facility.

Large-scale agriculture, particularly hay production, is identified as a major water consumer. A farm previously engaged in intensive hay production was sued by the state for causing land subsidance due to excessive groundwater pumping and ultimately ceased operations. The hay was exported to water-scarce countries like Saudi Arabia and Japan, illustrating the concept of “virtual water” – the water embedded in traded goods. Japan, as the largest export destination for Arizona hay last year, is effectively importing large volumes of water.

The Financialization of Water & Investment Firms

A disturbing trend is the increasing financialization of water rights. The documentary details the case of Sibola, Arizona, where Greenstone Management Partners purchased land and water rights for $9.8 million and subsequently sold the water rights to Queen Creek for $24 million. This transfer of water rights sparked concerns about the potential for further exploitation and the prioritization of profit over local needs.

More recently, a New York investment firm purchased land in La Paz County for $100 million cash (previously sold for $30 million), leading residents like Irwin to believe the firm’s primary interest is in acquiring groundwater rights. She fears this represents a predatory approach, capitalizing on the region’s water scarcity for financial gain. The documentary underscores the potential for this trend to exacerbate the crisis and displace local communities.

Perspectives & Quotes

• Betty Barlo Salt: “It’s always been like this…But for now, it’s making us cough and the smoke out there is making us all somehow, you know, a little bit sick.” – Illustrates the immediate health impacts of drought and wildfires.
• Sarah Porter: “We reached the era of limits a long time ago…It’s life. That is a Native American saying and it’s truly it is true.” – Emphasizes the finite nature of water resources and its fundamental importance.
• Irwin (Sibola resident): “If you allow for one transfer, in my opinion, you’re just opening up Pandora’s box…” – Expresses concern about the precedent set by water rights transfers to outside entities.
• The documentary implicitly argues that a fundamental shift in water management is needed, prioritizing conservation, sustainable practices, and equitable access over short-term economic gains.

Conclusion

The documentary paints a stark picture of a water crisis unfolding in the American Southwest, driven by a complex interplay of climate change, unsustainable consumption, and the commodification of water. It demonstrates that the crisis extends beyond surface water, with alarming rates of groundwater depletion posing a significant threat. The stories of individuals and communities directly impacted by the drought serve as a powerful call to action, urging a reevaluation of water management practices and a recognition of water as a precious and limited resource essential for life. The increasing involvement of investment firms in water rights raises serious ethical and sustainability concerns, highlighting the need for regulation and a more holistic approach to water governance.