Drought
How Much Land is Arid or Semi-Arid, and What Will It Take to Make It Ready for Agriculture?
(This is part 2 of a 6-part series exploring transforming arid areas with water) In our last blog, we discussed the possibilities of transforming arid and semi-arid areas with the introduction of sufficient water. In this second installment, we’ll dive deeper into the amount of land classified as arid or semi-arid in Australia and the…
Read MoreWhat If We Could Bring Water to Arid and Semi-Arid Areas?
(This is part 1 of a 6-part series exploring transforming arid areas with water) Water is the foundation of life, yet it remains elusive in many arid and semi-arid regions. It shapes landscapes, sustains ecosystems, and powers economic development. Yet, vast stretches of our planet, including large parts of Australia, the Western United States, South…
Read MoreEscalating Droughts: A Global Challenge
A recent study published in Earth’s Future paints a sobering picture of our planet’s future – droughts are projected to become more severe and prolonged. Using advanced global climate models, the researchers predict that the severity and duration of hydrologic droughts are expected to increase significantly from 2015 to 2100. This trend poses substantial challenges…
Read MoreLooming El Niño Weather Pattern Will Have an Effect But It Won’t End Our Water Challenges
You may be somewhat familiar with La Niña and El Niño, the cyclical weather patterns that impact much of the planet. They typically last 9-12 months but can sometimes last for years. We’re just coming out of a three-year La Niña cycle and most weather experts predict El Niño starting this summer. La Nina usually…
Read MoreIn Spite of Winter Rain and Snow the Majority of the US West is Abnormally Dry
California Got Relief but the Midwest from Texas to South Dakota is Experiencing Severe to Exceptional Drought The headline this week in Food Business News said, “Drought may leave flour prices elevated into 2024.” The national media has been focused on the record-breaking snowpack and rainfall in California which gives many people the impression that…
Read More74% of Texas Cotton Crop Abandoned, US Beef Cow Herd at Lowest Level Since 1962 Due to Drought
The Economics of Drought Has Extended Impact In spite of recent winter storms, the 23-year megadrought has left the US Southwest at the driest level in 1,200 years based on tree-ring data. The economic and social impact of drought has a huge impact on the lives of hundreds of millions of people. 74% of the…
Read MoreIt’s Time to Stop Being the Effect of Drought and Start Being At Cause
Atmospheric Rivers drench parched landscapes with rain and snow. Historic drought causes ranchers to sell their cattle and farmers to let their fields lie fallow. Towns halt expansion due to lack of water. The history of water management is more a story of being at the effect of Mother Nature rather than being at “Cause”…
Read MoreNow the Drought Is Threatening Hydropower
Could it get any worse? That’s what residents and administrators in seven U.S. states must be asking themselves. The mighty Colorado River flows through these states, not only providing precious water, but also hydroelectric power. In the Western US, that fuel source accounts for 16% of total power generation and 53% of the renewable energy…
Read More“Whiskey is for Drinkin’, Water is For Fightin’ Over” – Arizona City Cuts Off Water to Community Amidst Drought
“Whiskey is for drinkin’, water is for fightin’ over.” This phrase has been linked to the famous American writer, Samuel Clemens, known as Mark Twain, from the late 1800s. Whether or not Clemens wrote or spoke those words, they are as true today as they were 150 years ago. The City of Scottsdale, adjacent to…
Read MoreWill the Rains in California End the Drought?
The massive rains sweeping across the West Coast of the US recently have given hope to millions of people dependent upon the life-giving waters. Although floods and mudslides are a great danger, the amount of rain and snow has broken all records in the Golden State. Will it be enough to end the drought? Unfortunately,…
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