Drought presentation created by Shane Stover

1. Disastrous
Droughts
Shane Stover

2. What Is a Drought?
• Extended period of time
• Below average precipitation
• Water supply is unable to provide for the needs of
society
• Different from aridity

3. Types of Drought
• Meteorological Drought
• Hydrological Drought
• Agricultural Drought

4. Severity (Global)
• South Africa is at its driest level in 100 years
• East Africa is currently in worst drought in 60 years
• Australia facing 3 year drought
• Europe as a whole

5. Severity (Domestic)
• Ranked 2nd in national weather-related economic
impacts
• In 2011, Texas had its driest year
• California continues to face severe drought

6. Effects in Africa
• African peoples are in dire need of food and basic
sanitation
o No water leads to no crops
o No crops lead to no food
o No food leads to more social unrest

7. Effects in Australia
• Kill crops and livestock
• Affects economy as a whole
• Degrade land leading to infertile soil
• City restrictions on water

8. Effects in the United States
• Costs $1 billion
• California is implementing water restrictions
• Fruit, vegetables, and nut prices rise

9. Climate Change
• La Nina and El Nino
• Earlier snowmelt leading to less agriculture
• Year round planting
• Nationwide droughts by the mid century

10. Necessary Precautions
• Monitor water supply usage nationwide
• Develop more efficient appliances
• Improve irrigation technologies through drought tolerant
landscape design
• Improve the use of recycled water

11. Bibliography
• "Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters: Overview." Billion-Dollar Weather and
Climate Disasters: Overview. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Jan. 2016.
• "Causes of Drought: What's the Climate Connection?" Union of Concerned Scientists. N.p.,
n.d. Web. 20 Jan. 2016.
• "Climate Change Threatens Health: Drought." NRDC:. N.p., 30 Sept. 2015. Web. 20 Jan.
2016.
• "December Rainfall Has Little Impact on Rainfall Deficiencies." Drought: Related
Information, Bureau of Meteorology. N.p., 8 Jan. 2016. Web. 20 Jan. 2016.
• "Everything You Need to Know About the Texas Drought." Texas RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 20
Jan. 2016.
• "Global Warming May Worsen Effects of El Niño, La Niña Events." Global Warming May
Worsen Effects of El Niño, La Niña Events. N.p., 12 Oct. 2011. Web. 20 Jan. 2016.
• "International News - August." Midwifery 31.8 (2015): 751-55. Aug. 2015. Web.
• Mieszkowski, Katharine. "Why the California Drought Affects Everyone." Reveal. N.p., 23
July 2014. Web. 20 Jan. 2016.
• "Top Story: State's Cumulative Water Savings Continue to Meet Governor's Ongoing
Conservation Mandate." California Drought. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Jan. 2016.