Why Ask Why? Try Everything Dry 2

American Southwest soon will face permanent drought, says study

Tired of depressing climatic news? Too bad, here's more! A new study in Science predicts that as early as 2021, global warming could create Dust Bowl-like conditions in the American Southwest. Much of the region has been severely dry since 2000, and researchers say 18 of the 19 computer models studied predict a permanent drought setting in before mid-century. "There are going to be some tough decisions on how to allocate water. Is it going to be the cities, or is it going to be agriculture?" says lead author Richard Seager, referring particularly to the rapidly urbanizing areas fed by the dwindling Colorado River. The Southwest currently directs 85 percent of water to irrigation. In an attempt to address shortages, the region is putting at least $2.5 billion into new water projects, and who-gets-what arguments between states are in full swing. Meanwhile, conditions in Australia may herald what's to come: "water police" patrol the streets and slap fines on residents who hose down cars or water lawns more than twice a week.

source: Los Angeles Times, Alan Zarembo and Bettina Boxall, 06 Apr 2007

source: The Dallas Morning News, Randy Lee Loftis, 06 Apr 2007

source: Environment News Service, 05 Apr 2007

source: The New York Times, Randal C. Archibold and Kirk Johnson, 04 Apr 2007

source: The Christian Science Monitor, Nick Squires, 05 Apr 2007

Related Stories

Advertisement
Advertisement

  1. velvetink Posted 5:07 am
    06 Apr 2007

    Aussie conditionsPlease get the facts right, certain areas in Australia are on level 4 restrictions & have been in drought since 2000- meaning no outside use of town water AT ALL - lawn watering is only permitted if it's greywater etc. Here http://www.wyongsc.nsw.gov.au/services/Level_four_water_r ...

    you can check the restrictions.

    Thanks.

    Permalink

  2. jishica Posted 10:01 am
    06 Apr 2007

    Conservation vs. ConservationThe High Country News recently had an excellent piece noting the ways in which water INefficiency at agricultural lands in the Salton Sea area has helped to reestablish marshlands at the Colorado River Delta - which was decimated by the dams the US installed along the River last century.  The current pressure to conserve water by increasing efficiency of irrigation ditches- which is only being calculated in terms of water needed for agriculture (savings to then benefit cities) and not the larger ecological benefits - threatens the Delta in Mexico.  The marshes are nurseries for fish, shellfish, etc, so this too goes back to our food supply.  The article also notes with some irony how these efficiency measures will negatively affect agriculture on the Mexico side of the border as groundwater dries up - and speculates that the consequences can mean more pressure for people to migrate north if they lose their livelihood.

    Permalink

Add a Comment

You are not logged in. Thus, you cannot post a comment. If you have an account, log in. If you don't have an account, well, by all means go make one! Meet you back here in five.

Hello, Visitor!    Why not register?

Viewed
More
Commented
More
Advertisement