Excerpt from:
USDA Declares 'Natural Disaster' in 26 States
as Drought Devastates
By Common Dreams Staff
USDA Declares 'Natural Disaster' in 26 States
as Drought Devastates
By Common Dreams Staff
The US Department of Agriculture declared a natural disaster on Thursday as a widespread drought stretched over 1,016 counties in 26 states, covering over half the country. The natural disaster is said to be the largest in US history due to its breadth.
The declaration will initiate a series of emergency loans for farmers in drought stricken areas; however, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said the low-interest loans and penalty reductions are only “limited tools” for relief.
According to the National Climatic Data Center, some parts of the Midwest have experienced the worst conditions since 1988 as crops and pastures continue to sizzle.
And the record setting drought does not seem to be easing any time soon. Scientists for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recently released a report which ties extreme weather events such as prolonged heat waves and drought to the broader implications of climate change. June temperatures revealed that once again the past 12 months have been the warmest on record in the US since the National Climatic Data Center began recording temperatures in 1895.
Subsequently, roughly 56% of the country is currently experiencing extreme drought conditions, the farthest reaching drought in over a decade, according to the US Drought Monitor.
Link to map and complete article:
http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2012/07/13-2
"...roughly 56% of the country is currently experiencing extreme drought conditions..."
ReplyDeleteWill we have leadership on this in the U$A before that figure becomes 76%? Or must we wait until it is 96%? Or 100%??
I see John Kerry trying to lead on this, and being roughly ignored. Maybe John Kerry is not afraid to talk about science based issues because John Kerry can fund his own campaigns, if need be, with his own money.
Are the Democratic leaders who are not leading on this issue too beholden to special interest groups to speak up for us? You bet they are!
Use wisely your power of choice in the upcoming primary and general election.
We have got to elect citizens who are not afraid to talk about the very real challenges that face not just our continued existence on planet earth, but our very survival as a species.
It is nothing less than our survival that is at stake. Keep that in mind when you decide who you believe will lead us in the challenging days and years ahead. Please!