Regional Importance and Impact: Drylands cover 41% of the land surface and support 38% of the human population. The SW US is uniquely positioned to lead an innovation engine to generate global solutions for climate resilience. Our co-created solutions will address regional climate crises that include a 22-year megadrought more severe than in the past 1,200 years, temperatures rising more quickly than in other parts of the US, and disrupted precipitation regimes—crises that profoundly impact natural resources and dryland communities and disproportionately harm vulnerable populations.
Overview, Vision, and Rationale: Our geographical Region of Service in the SW US represents key national interests and a great need for economic development. On the border with Mexico, it spans the Rio Grande corridor to include the Navajo Nation, all of New Mexico, and far West Texas, encompassing metropolitan areas as well as underserved, underrepresented rural and agricultural communities. Cultural diversity in our region is exceptional: 48% identify as Hispanic and 10% as Native American across 23 tribes. Deep cultural and Indigenous ecological knowledge forms the bedrock for innovating sustainable solutions to regional challenges. Regional economic distress is also high. Our communities exceed the national average of 13% living in poverty, with New Mexico (NM) and El Paso County at ~19% and Navajo Nation at a staggering 33% in poverty. NM ranks 48th nationally for childhood poverty, and >25% of El Paso children live in poverty. Nationally, we stand out for the number of people who rely on bottled water due to a lack of safe tap water. Our communities face other inequities and access issues, including lack of electricity. In addition, our regional economy depends on extractive industries, with the Navajo Nation disproportionately distressed by oil, gas, coal, and uranium. These circumstances are grounded in historical injustices and position our region to realize large societal and economic gains from the creation of a regional innovation engine.