Drought, according to National Geographic, is a prolonged period of exceptionally dry weather when there isn’t enough rain. By “not enough,” it is meant that the amount of rainfall during a specific time period is insufficient to meet the demands of a specific place. Additionally, rain is necessary for the area’s water supply as well as the growth of crops.
Drought is a definite side effect of climate change because it disrupts normal weather patterns. According to scientific research, irregular patterns in air circulation can obstruct storm tracks, resulting in prolonged periods without rain. The amount of moisture that stays in the soil can also be impacted by changes in wind patterns.
Simply said, unanticipated shifts in weather patterns are a result of climate change. The number of rainy days in a given time period varies as a result of these variations. For instance, if we had a week of rain in July this year, climate change may reduce it to only five days the next year.
What impact do drought circumstances have on individuals?
Lack of rain can cause survival issues such as a shortage of drinking water and harm to vegetation. Water is, as we all know, an essential requirement for both humans and other living creatures. The base of the food chain is made up of plants. The food chain will collapse in the absence of water and plants, and it is certain that man’s life will only survive for a very little time.
Drought-related occurrences can also result in socio-economic problems including hunger and the need for relocation, among others. People will be forced to relocate (if they can) to a location with a better water source if the availability of water in their current location begins to decline.
Megadroughts, which last for generations and are roughly ten times as long as a typical three-year drought, are described as protracted periods of scarce precipitation and considerable soil moisture loss in The Washington Post. Try thirty years of drought before you decide three years was horrible.
The drought that is now occurring in the Southwest of the United States is not even close to what is predicted to occur. A megadrought will affect the area and the central Plains in the latter decades of the century. This can result in a population exodus from certain areas and an economic disaster.
If climate change continues at its current rate, parts of the US will see a change in weather in 35 years. There will be severe effects on megacities, people, and water supply during megadroughts. Famine is only one of the health hazards that a lack of water may cause.
Water Consumption
The maximum daily water use in America is 200 gallons. Water is used for bathing, flushing the toilet, tooth brushing, cooking, and drinking. Outdoor chores like gardening, mowing the grass, and washing your car can utilize 30% of the daily use. As a result, it may be deduced that a single individual uses 60 gallons of water outside each day. That amounts to around 9 billion gallons of water when multiplied by the millions of people living in the United States.
Unexpected Water Consumption
About 6,300 gallons of water may be lost each month by an irrigation system with a leak the size of a cent, according to the EPA. Installed subsurface sprinklers are often activated, and when they leak, most people don’t notice. How much water may leak out of a hole that is the THICKNESS of a cent? If the cost of one CCF (100 cubic feet / 748 gallons) of water in California is $3.88, a little leak would cost at least $30 per month.
Leaks, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, “may waste more than 1 trillion gallons each year nationwide.” That is equivalent to more than 11 million houses’ yearly household consumption. Because a few drops of water don’t seem like a significant concern at first, many leaks go undiscovered. However, when taking into account the millions of homes with defective water supplies and leaking pipes, leaks result in an average loss of 2.7 billion gallons. Due to leaks and subpar plumbing, 2.7 billion gallons of water were lost in the United States of America.
Water used on your lawn
Maintaining landscapes accounts for over one-third (1/3) of household water use nationwide. Most of the time, that quantity is utilized for lawns. According to data from the EPA, water used for landscaping accounts for more than a third of household usage.
Lawns in the U.S. would occupy the same amount of area like New York State. There would be around 50,000 square kilometers of grass on the property overall. We would require an incredible quantity of water if we watered lawns every day.
Artificial grass is the perfect drought solution if you want a lush patch of green without the effort and expense of maintenance. Artificial grass doesn’t need to be watered to keep beautiful! Compared to maintaining a real grass lawn, artificial turf requires substantially less water. Additionally, if you switch and live in a certain county or state, some local governments may give you a reimbursement! Contact us to find out more about the advantages of transitioning to synthetic turf!
