The Drought Is Over. Wait, Is It?
February 27th, 2010 Posted in Green Living & News
Firstly, we are not referring to Lil Wayne’s The Drought Is Over mix-tape, we are talking about the complete reversal of the drought all throughout the United States. According to the United States Climate Prediction Center, 92% of the country is drought free for the first time since 1999.
It is interesting that this has happened because of all the predictions and discussion of global warming in the last decade. Scientists have predicted and observed increasing global temperatures that will result in the gradual melting of the Earth’s glaciers.
The Drought Is Over, Really?
The United States drought has an extraordinary reversal as compared to 2007 when 50% of the country was experiencing a drought. This drought in 2007 caused water wars between various states, but this year things are different.
Scientists believe the recent massive snowfall, the overall wet winter and fall, and Tropical Storm Fay may have been Mother Nature’s way of helping to stop the droughts all across the nation.
Yet, is this going to be permanent or is this going to end as quickly as it started? Scientists are unsure as of yet, but current predictions indicate that this relief is here to stay for the time being.
With global warming increasing the planet’s temperature and as a result increasing sea levels, it makes sense to wonder whether these phenomenons are connected.
Global Warming Today
Whether the ending of the drought is connected to global warming is currently unknown to scientists, but it is a possibility that this could be the case. According to the EPA, the earth’s temperature hasn’t significantly risen since 1995, but this does not mean that warming isn’t occurring.
EPA administrator Lisa Jackson urges the United States government and the United Nations not let these facts deter us from dealing with the problem of global warming. Jackson and the EPA believe that warming is continuing, but not on a drastic level as it was since 1995.
This does not mean the problem is completely gone, but it means more funding and research needs to go into the issue of global warming to understand it better and determine what we should do to stop it from getting any worse.
If The Drought Isn’t Over
Since scientists and officials can’t predict precisely what will happen with global warming or how long this drought will be over, it is important that you are prepared and aware. If the drought occurs again in your area make sure you are prepared by storing plenty of water and food for you and your family to use.
You can pick up extra water bottles or water containers in bulk at your local grocery store, as well as frozen foods that will last throughout the drought.
Also, try planting drought tolerant herbs in your garden, so that you can continue to use them even if there is a limited supply of water. Epazote, oregano, rosemary, and garden sage are some of the most popular drought tolerant herbs available.
Being aware about the way you live your life can help limit your contribution to global warming. For instance, choosing the car or transportation that saves energy can help limit your contribution to the pollution that affects global warming.
By also choosing clean power, unplugging appliances when not in use, planting a tree, and using energy saving light bulbs you can do your part to help slow global warming.
