LARGEST DROUGHT IN 50 YEARS, North American Drought of 2012-2013 According to the National Climatic
LARGEST DROUGHT IN 50 YEARS, North American Drought of 2012-2013According to the National Climatic Data Center, the 2012-2013 drought in the continental United States was the worst drought experienced in 50 years. It spread throughout more than 50% of the American contingent mainland, covering more area than the famous North American heat wave of 1936. In terms of severity, it ranks in at the 10th most severe drought since 1895.According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, droughts are one of the most costly and deadly natural disasters. Since 1980, droughts have cost the United States $210 billion.The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change holds that this single event cannot be said to be an effect of global warming, but that more extreme weather should be expected as climate change takes it course. More specifically, climate change will result in extreme weather, higher daily temperatures, heat waves, and droughts such as this.Eastern citizens, such as myself, must recognize that our western neighbors are at risk for these sorts of destructive disasters, even when we are not experiencing it ourselves. Fresh water is not unlimited, and many Americans are suffering from this harsh reality.–Sam J.**Image courtesy of Give a Shit About Nautre (https://www.facebook.com/giveashitaboutnature)References:http://www.weather.com/news/drought-disaster-new-data-20120715http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/06/us-drought-2012-heat-wave_n_1654908.htmlhttp://www.presstv.ir/usdetail/282568.htmlhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/28/2013-midwest-us-drought_n_2566189.html#slide=1336579 -- source link
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