Join experts Brad Pugh of NOAA and Dr. Bruce McCarl of TAMU on this extreme weather episode about drought.
The economic, social, health and environmental impacts of drought are spanning. From mental health to asthma, and food security to clean drinking water and even job security, drought impacts us in all facets of our lives.
Brad Pugh tells us more about NOAA, the agency in charge of monitoring and reporting the US weather to aid citizens in preparing for climate impacts. Monitoring the current drought situation is essential because it sneaks up on people, it’s not like a tornado or hurricane, it’s a slow and steady build to a serious environmental and health problem. Each month, NOAA does a monthly climate call for the local and national media to spread essential awareness about extreme weather and drought. The public can access a snap shot of current drought condition using NOAA’s drought monitor online. When drought arises there is a significant impact to our mental health. To counteract drought, stay informed, minimize your water use and utilize drought trackers.
Dr. Bruce McCarl of Texas A&M explores droughts and the swinging pendulum of weather specifically in Texas. The greenhouse effect is causing our temperatures to increase, our rainfall to change and our drought to increase. In fact, last year was the 2nd warmest year on record. These climate changes cause the standing drought to worsen. In the 2011 drought, one hundred million trees died in Texas — the socioeconomic and environmental impacts were massive, in multiple billions of dollars. As drought increases we see cropland convert into grassland and the income earning potential drop 70% for rural areas. To combat drought in Texas Dr. McCarl suggests taking more public transit, using more efficient cooking and heating systems, better sustainable care of the land and trees, and reducing intake of beef.
