Droughts are extended periods of below average precipitation that cause water supplies to be unable to meet societal needs. The document discusses different types of drought and their severity in various regions globally and domestically. Effects of drought include failure of crops and livestock, damage to economies and land, and increased food prices. Climate change is projected to worsen the effects of drought through earlier snowmelt and more frequent droughts. Precautions like improved water monitoring and more efficient irrigation are necessary to mitigate drought impacts.

1. Disastrous
Droughts
Shane Stover

2. What Is a Drought?
• Extended period of time
• Below average precipitation
• Water supply is unable to provide for the needs of
society
• Different from aridity

3. Types of Drought
• Meteorological Drought
• Hydrological Drought
• Agricultural Drought

4. Severity (Global)
• South Africa is at its driest level in 100 years
• East Africa is currently in worst drought in 60 years
• Australia facing 3 year drought
• Europe as a whole

5. Severity (Domestic)
• Ranked 2nd in national weather-related economic
impacts
• In 2011, Texas had its driest year
• California continues to face severe drought

6. Effects in Africa
• African peoples are in dire need of food and basic
sanitation
o No water leads to no crops
o No crops lead to no food
o No food leads to more social unrest

7. Effects in Australia
• Kill crops and livestock
• Affects economy as a whole
• Degrade land leading to infertile soil
• City restrictions on water

8. Effects in the United States
• Costs $1 billion
• California is implementing water restrictions
• Fruit, vegetables, and nut prices rise

9. Climate Change
• La Nina and El Nino
• Earlier snowmelt leading to less agriculture
• Year round planting
• Nationwide droughts by the mid century

10. Necessary Precautions
• Monitor water supply usage nationwide
• Develop more efficient appliances
• Improve irrigation technologies through drought tolerant
landscape design
• Improve the use of recycled water

11. Bibliography
• "Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters: Overview." Billion-Dollar Weather and
Climate Disasters: Overview. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Jan. 2016.
• "Causes of Drought: What's the Climate Connection?" Union of Concerned Scientists. N.p.,
n.d. Web. 20 Jan. 2016.
• "Climate Change Threatens Health: Drought." NRDC:. N.p., 30 Sept. 2015. Web. 20 Jan.
2016.
• "December Rainfall Has Little Impact on Rainfall Deficiencies." Drought: Related
Information, Bureau of Meteorology. N.p., 8 Jan. 2016. Web. 20 Jan. 2016.
• "Everything You Need to Know About the Texas Drought." Texas RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 20
Jan. 2016.
• "Global Warming May Worsen Effects of El Niño, La Niña Events." Global Warming May
Worsen Effects of El Niño, La Niña Events. N.p., 12 Oct. 2011. Web. 20 Jan. 2016.
• "International News - August." Midwifery 31.8 (2015): 751-55. Aug. 2015. Web.
• Mieszkowski, Katharine. "Why the California Drought Affects Everyone." Reveal. N.p., 23
July 2014. Web. 20 Jan. 2016.
• "Top Story: State's Cumulative Water Savings Continue to Meet Governor's Ongoing
Conservation Mandate." California Drought. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Jan. 2016.