Drought Again
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 06. 8.07
Per the latest NOAA drought map, regional drought is still severe in parts of the US, as elsewhere in the world. (We've posted earlier versions of this map several times before. However, linking back makes no sense, as drought is a now-and-looking-forward issue.) Instead, here's what to expect as the dry months proceed.
Months of debate on the drought influencing role of man-induced climate change.
Corn prices more impacted by increased use for ethanol than by corn production loss from drought conditions. (The driest states are not big corn producers.)
Hay prices will go and stay high because of both increased corn acreage on former conservation reserve land and loss of hay production in dry areas.
A glance at the map tells you how foolish all that talk of piping Great Lakes water to dry states really is. Couldn't be less practical. Bottled water sales will hit record highs.
Meat prices drop and then climb as herds are sold. More farmers tempted to sell out to developers.
Fire, fire and more fire.
Illegal southern border crossings shift Eastward to escape the heat stress.
Lake Superior will continue to lose depth.
The common element: increased awareness of human dependencies on nature.
how long does a drought have to last before it's considered climate change?
=== author's response follows ===
To the extent a drought represents an anomaly from long term averages it can be though of as climate change, At some point - say when the landscape becomes desertified - though, dry becomes "normal."
Recent human influences have to be understood then in comparison to a very long term period of record.
Would cheerfully sell you some Limey rain under 'normal' circumstances, but we're a bit short too this year!