The U.S. has faced severe drought in recent decades. Some have coincided with terrifying forest fires. Moments like these force us to face how puny we are. America is not alone in this. We watch helplessly as the last of Cape Town’s water reserve sinks in the sand.
Climate Change Increases the Odds of Severe Drought
The Center for Climate Change and Energy Solutions, warns higher temperatures will increase both evaporation and agricultural demand. We will have less water even if the amount of rain remains the same. In 2011 Texas went through its driest 12 months on record, perhaps ever.
The following year, 81% of mainland America faced at best abnormally dry conditions. It took a while to recover from the severe drought, because very dry soils and diminished plant cover suppress rainfall in what scientists call positive feedback. Humankind must tread carefully to prevent drought becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy. See what happened to Cape Town’s main water supplies …
The Distinction between Severe Drought and Climate Change
The Union of Concerned Scientists wants us to understand the difference between weather and climate. It defines weather as ‘atmospheric conditions over a short period of time’. Whereas climate is ‘how the atmosphere behaves over relatively long periods of time’.
However, the two phenomena are related. Thus, the frequency of severe drought in the American West has increased over the past century, as temperatures warmed. Furthermore, much of the Mountain West has seen reduced snow pack, especially since the 1950’s.
More snow is turning to rain as it falls increasing evaporation, and transpiration. Farmers may have to adapt to living without their spring snow melt bonanza. It becomes increasingly important to move from stopgap solutions to changing how we use water.
The Union of Concerned Scientists says we must ‘prepare for an increased risk of more frequent and severe drought conditions.’ Are we ready as a species? We fear not.
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Preview Image: 1936 South Dakota Dust Bowl
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