Western America Faces Dire Future

Without action to reduce carbon emissions, global warming will
dramatically alter the Western U.S. landscape, according to a
nongovernmental report released Thursday by the National
Wildlife Federation.

"America's addiction to fossil fuels is coming at an enormous price,
one that threatens not only people but the fish, wildlife and eco-
systems that are so fundamental to the region's—and nation's—
economy, culture and values," writes lead author Patty Glick,
a global warming specialist for the group.

The report, an extensive review of scientific literature for 17
western states, indicates that declining water resources,
pervasive drought, increased catastrophic wildfires, and species
extinction are some of the effects global warming will have on
the American West.

Recent studies have shown that an increase in forest wildfires
in the West is correlated with rising temperatures and earlier
arrival of warmer seasons. According to the new report, there
has been a four-fold increase in the number of major fires
each year.
Rising temperatures are expected to reduce snow pack and
cause snow to melt earlier, which will place a strain on the
area's water reserves.


SOURCE:
LiveScience.com

Well this really does hit closer to home than usual, considering I live
on the West coast.

A good thing to note though s that the both California and Washington
state are starting to do things to alleviate the situation.

The article is intentionally misleading.

The predicted drier-than-normal period ahead is the result of the Pacific Decadal Cycle, not overall global warming. GW may increase the degree of extended drought, but a well documented natural cycle is the underlying cause.

The reports alluded to in the reporting article all state this. The NWF knows this, and is counting on most people not bothering to actual reports.

This is too bad. The NWF USED to be a respected organization. But it too has lowered itself into environmental junk science and yellow eco-tabloidism.