Arizona's Brutal Heatwave Contributes To The Dying Of Its Iconic Saguaro Cacti

APACHE JUNCTION, ARIZONA - AUGUST 04: A damaged saguaro cactus remains standing next to a dead saguaro decaying in the Sonoran Desert on August 4, 2023 near Apache Junction, Arizona. The iconic cacti are under increased stress from extreme heat during Arizona’s brutal summer heat wave and are threatened by a number of issues linked to climate change. Three saguaro cacti lost an arm or fell over in one week at Phoenix’s historic Desert Botanical Garden. The saguaro is the largest cactus in the nation, living as long as 150-200 years and reaching heights of over 50 feet. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)