Video - Drought in California: No Rain in San Francisco

Drought is making life difficult in areas all over the world and one of the worst hit areas is California. As a sign California's persistent drought, downtown San Francisco recorded no measurable rain in January 2015, this is the first time this has happened in at least 165 years. The National Weather Service also said Santa Cruz recorded no rain in January for the first time since 1893. Normal rainfall for that city in January is more than 6 inches. For the Bay Area as a whole, last month was the driest January on record, the weather service said.

Climate Change Increases the Risk of Megadroughts

If we do not take the appropriate actions to stave off climate change the number of megadroughts will significantly increase.

New research has quantified the risks from climate change and provided insights into the prospects of megadroughts in the US and around the world. The  study is titled, "Assessing the risk of persistent drought using climate model simulations and paleoclimate data."

Climate Change Induced Drought Threatens Brazil's Carnival

Climate change induced drought is forcing Brazil to scale back its iconic Carnival celebrations. The worst drought in over 80 years is killing crops and depriving millions of Brazilians of drinking water. The current drought began in 2005, and with no end in site it is being called a megadrought. This type of chronic water shortage has been shown to have played a pivotal role in the demise of at least 5 civilizations.

Infographic - Civilizations that have Succumbed to Megadrought

Drought in California and Heat in Alaska

The beginning of this year recorded unprecedented drought and heat in the US. Record setting droughts have been ravaging California while Alaska is setting its own records for anomalous warm temperatures.

California has been experiencing a persistent drought. The Bay Area recorded its driest January on record. In the month of January the city of San Francisco recorded no measurable rain for the first time in 165 years.

Other cities in California have also suffered from an absence of rain in January. This includes the city of Santa Cruz which recorded no rain during the month for the first time since 1893 (normal rainfall for that city in January is more than 6 inches). Even in northern California the month of January was unusually dry and warm.

Infographic - US Megadroughts this Century

Charts and Graphs - US Drought Severity

Republicans Object to Federal Drought Aid and Refuse to Help Fight Wildfires

Droughts and related wildfires are two serious problems in the US, particularly in California. President Obama and the Democrats have been working to provide much needed federal aid to for these climate related disasters. Despite Republican objections, in May Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) succeeded in securing the support she needed to pass the California Emergency Drought Relief Act of 2014. However, in August, Republicans stonewalled legislation that would have provided financial support to assist California in its effort to fight wildfires.

Fracking Operations Shut Down to Protect Drinking Water in California

California has forced the emergency shut-down of 11 oil and gas waste injection sites and a review of more than 100 others due to concerns that these companies may be poisoning aquifers. Cease and desist orders were issued on July 7th to oil and gas companies in drought wracked Central Valley.

California has been criticized for its oversight of its underground water resources. Many aquifers have already been contaminated by drilling operations in the state.

Some of these aquifers are protected but others are not. According to the government of California at least seven injection wells are likely pumping waste into fresh water aquifers protected by the law.

Drought Impacts California's Wine and Beer Industries

The drought in California is making it much harder for the state's wine and beer industries. Drought increases the costs for a wide range of businesses in California as well as in other water deprived regions of the world. Less water often translates to shortages and ultimately higher commodity prices. Some of the commodities impacted by drought include vegetable produce, meat, dairy, wine and beer.

California is the most widely regarded wine growing region in the US, however, the combination of global warming and drought could cut wine production in half within 30 years. It may also diminish the quality of the vineyards that remain. A good wine is determined in large part by the climate in which the grapes grow. As these grapes are forced to grow in warmer temperatures with less water it will impact the quality of the wines produced from them.

Video - Drought Causes Farmers to use Candy as Feedstock

Climate change decreases agricultural yields through drought, extreme weather and insect infestations. Commodities like corn are staples of animal feed and they are being threatened by climate-related drought and flooding, and the corn earworm. As the cost of corn and other feedstock increases, farmers are looking for cheaper ways of feeding their livestock. One Kentucky farmer has started feeding his animals candy rejected for human consumption, an ethanol byproduct and a mineral nutrient. As a consequence of this bizarre feedstock, these animals are more prone to developing E. coli.

Video - River obstruction and Drought

Less water due to drought makes some rivers impassible to boat traffic including billions of dollars worth of cargo. This point was illustrated by the Mississippi River this summer which recorded all time low water levels. Water levels near Memphis were 12 feet lower than normal, forcing the closure of an 11 mile stretch of the river.

Video - Suicide and Drought

While studies have documented the value of green spaces to psychological health, research reveals that climate change may pose serious risks to mental health. The 2012 Drought in Gujarat India caused around a dozen farmers to commit suicide in Saurashtra region alone. The connection between drought and suicide was evinced in a recent study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Researchers found that in rural Australia there was a 15 percent increase in suicides in men ages 30 to 49.

Video - California Drought Folson Lake

Folson Lake, northeast of Sacramento California, has lost 80 percent of its water in 2.5 years.Low water levels associated with drought make it difficult or impossible for hydroelectric facilities to generate power. This summer, California’s hydroelectric power plants have been producing far less electricity due to the ongoing severe drought.

Graphics: The Drought in California

Source: Think Progress

Video - Drought Causes the Largest Freshwater Lake in China to Dry Up

Record Breaking Drought in California at Odds with Fracking

While the US is in the grip of a second Polar Vortex, California has been denied the precipitation that usually falls in winter. With almost 90 percent of California in severe or extreme drought, water is in very short supply in the state. Water is at its lowest water levels in the state's 153 year history. Ranchers are selling their herds and farmers are letting their fields lie fallow. The consequences of the drought extend well beyond cattle and agriculture, impacting the state's economy and the environment.

Governor Jerry Brown of California declared a drought emergency as the state deals with its lowest water levels in its 153-year history. Although the Democratic governor of California, has a history of environmental advocacy including support for clean energy and carbon trading, he has also softened his stance on fracking, which is a tragic waste of water resources. (fracking uses between 2 and 10 million gallons of fresh water per well in its lifetime).

Event - Land & Water Summit 2014: Drought as an Opportunity For Change

This summit will take place on February 20 - 21. The Xeriscape Council of New Mexico and Arid LID are partnering once a gain to bring you this summit. Over the past several years, drought has dominated over all of our lives. The demands on our limited and decreasing water resources are stressed yet new demands are continuously being added. This year, the Xeriscape Council of New Mexico and Arid LID strives to find both traditional and non-traditional speakers that generate positive change during a water crisis through storm water mitigation, water harvesting and low impact design principles. Let’s use the drought as an opportunity to assist our attendees in promoting both creative solutions and innovations in the field.

Worldwatch Institute: The Looming Threat of Water Scarcity

Some 1.2 billion people-almost a fifth of the world-live in areas of physical water scarcity, while another 1.6 billion face what can be called economic water shortage. The situation is only expected to worsen as population growth, climate change, investment and management shortfalls, and inefficient use of existing resources restrict the amount of water available to people, according to Worldwatch Institute's Vital Signs Online service (www.worldwatch.org). It is estimated that by 2025, 1.8 billion people will live in countries or regions with absolute water scarcity, with almost half of the world living in conditions of water stress.