Weird Weather Watch: Massive Climate Change in American Southwest

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The Nation, the New York Times, and other reputable papers reported this week that the American Southwest is not experiencing a drought, as previously thought, but rather shifting to a significantly drier climate on a permanent basis. As a consequence of human activity, temperatures will increase by as much as 9 degrees (and if you’ve ever been to Phoenix, you can imagine how hot that will really be). Think major water problems, species extinction, likely large-scale human migrations, and certain animal migrations.

So see New Mexico while you still can. It’s exquisitely beautiful, even to this water-loving Yankee.

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DECEMBER IS MAKE OR BREAK

A full one-third of our annual fundraising comes in this month alone. That’s risky, because a strong December means our newsroom is on the beat and reporting at full strength—but a weak one means budget cuts and hard choices ahead.

With only days left until December 31, we've raised about half of our $400,000 goal—but we need a huge surge in reader support to close the remaining gap. Whether you've given before or this is your first time, your contribution right now matters.

Managing an independent, nonprofit newsroom is staggeringly hard. There’s no cushion in our budget—no backup revenue, no corporate safety net. We can’t afford to fall short, and we can’t rely on corporations or deep-pocketed interests to fund the fierce, investigative journalism Mother Jones exists to do. That’s why we need you right now. Please chip in to help close the gap.

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