Tag Archives: water resources

Imagine an entire county run out of water…

That’s exactly what happened to Pacific island countries of Tuvalu and it’s neighbor Tokelau.  Saltwater intrusions have rendered their groundwater undrinkable and the strong La Niña has reduced the amount of precipitation to these countries. Rising sea levels and climate change are at least partially to blame.

Deader then ever…

Interesting story in Time today about the Dead Sea.  Apparently, it is losing 3 vertical feet of water each year, exposing 65 ft of seabed along the shore!  The usual culprit?  Less than 2% of freshwater from the Jordan River makes it into the Dead Sea compared to the amount just a few decades ago.

Drought situation in the US

Some parts of US (Texas, Arizona, etc.) have been under severe drought for quite some time.  See the latest drought monitor.  Researchers are now saying that the Southwest is currently undergoing aridification – modification to a desert landscape.  This has long-term repercussions to world’s economy.

Desertification in the US?

Guest blog by Mason Hay and Rachel Richardson Desertification is the complex process of land that was once productive being degraded. It involves multiple causes, including drought, overgrazing, and poor agricultural methods, and it proceeds at varying rates in different climates. Deserts advance with no distinct pattern, forming patches on their borders. Areas far from […]