As climate patterns continue
to change in the United States,
drought has become increasingly more common. According to the
U.S. Drought Monitor, a large portion of the western region of the country falls under "D4 Exceptional Drought." Federal and state governments are working to understand causes and take action to help affected communities. From sharing information on water conservation to USDA drought assistance and loans,
the U.S. government has the resources and tools necessary to help the public during these times.
Why is drought increasing? The
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) names rising temperatures and climate change as key
factors for the increase in drought. Combined, this leads to "a
n increase in evapotranspiration [making more] water available in the air for precipitation, but contributes to drying over some land areas, leaving less moisture in the soil." Just like dry areas get more drought, wet areas receive even more precipitation. The Effects of Drought
Drought is leaving impactful effects on a large variety of sectors. According to the CDC's National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH), drought is costing the United States as much as "$31 billion." It is "one of the most costly climate-related events." Health and living conditions are also affected by drought. The NCEH states that drought can cause stress and worsen mental health issues, change patterns of certain diseases, like the West Nile virus, and increase heatwaves, which are periods that have temperatures outside historical averages. Living conditions are affected when dust storms and wildfires increase and cities experience stress with water systems.
One of the largest sectors to be impacted by drought is agriculture. In the past, drought "impacted 80 percent of agricultural land in the United States, causing more than two-thirds of its counties to be declared disaster areas." Specifically, drought led to a "$14.5 billion in loss payments" in production of livestock and field crops. The overall production loss, pests and diseases, decreased water availability, and issue of specialty crops are critical issues in this sector hurt by drought. Safety Measures & Resources
Although drought is linked to climate change, an ongoing issue that is being handled on multiple levels, there are ways to address drought and keep safety as a priority. Water Sense, from the EPA, provides tips to save water at home:
- Follow Community Guidelines
- Check for Leaks
- Faucets, toilets, and shower heads should not be leaking.
- Fix any leaks if found.
- Upgrade When Necessary
- WaterSense models use "at least 20 percent" less water than standard ones.
- Take a Sprinkler Break
- Cut back on watering supplies.
- Grass doesn't need to be bright green year-round.
- Go the Extra Mile
- Get creative and collect water.
- Try reusing it to water flowers!
Weather.gov urges communities to reduce water usage and consider drought conditions when taking a trip. People can:
- Check Local Conditions
- Follow Guidance for Outdoor Recreation
- Know Park Hiking Trails and Ski Areas Modifications
- Know River Closures for Fishing & Boating
The NCEH continues to study drought conditions and report the most updated guidance for people on their website. Finally, the USDA and NIDIS also provide support for drought relief, recovery, and support. They offer Disaster Assistance Programs, Environmental Quality Incentives Program, Emergency Watershed Protection Program, Rural Utilities Serve Water Programs, and Economic Injury Disaster Loans.
Drought.gov, a multi-agency partnership, helps "coordinate drought monitoring, forecasting, planning, and information at national, state, and local scales." They show the current drought conditions through the country and future predictions. It also provides information on the drought impacts in different sectors like agriculture, energy, public health, and even tourism. Drought.gov also offers scientific reports and research available on drought related topics.
A few other links that provide more resources and information include:
More Information
National Climatic Data Center (NCDC)
The NCDC maintains the world's largest climate data archive and provides climatological services and data to every sector of the United States economy and to users worldwide. Records in the archive range from paleoclimatology data to centuries-old journals to data less than an hour old.
National Current Conditions
The NIDIS provides current drought conditions for any individual needing them.
Drought Basics
The NIDIS has basic information about droughts for anybody needing more information about the issue.
U.S. Climate Action Partnership
A coalition of Fortune 500 companies and national environmental organizations have convened to reduce carbon emissions.
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