The worst drought in a generation
is punishing farmers and burning up the nation's corn crop. Nearly 65
percent of the nation is experiencing a drought right now, according to
the U.S. Drought Monitor. Many farmers were just trying to get over last
summer's dry spell when the hottest June on record rolled in, threatening to destroy crops and desiccate pastures.
While it's still unclear exactly
what the drought will mean for the U.S. environment and economy, a few
concerning consequences are already apparent. But experts predict other
worrisome outcomes yet to come. (If you have stories or photos about how
the drought is affecting you, share them with us here.) Here are a few consequences that could crop up due to the drought:
1. Rising food prices at home
The U.S. Department of
Agriculture warned last week that Americans should expect to pay 3 to 5
percent more for groceries next year because of the drought. Most of the
price hikes will be for chicken, pork, beef and dairy, since the dry
weather is scorching up the nation's corn crop, which feeds these
animals. Soybeans and wheat prices are also on the rise. Other fruits
and veggies, most of which are irrigated, aren't likely to be as
affected.
continue...
2. World food prices and social unrest
While no one likes to have to pay
more for food, Americans are on the whole much less vulnerable to food
price spikes because, on average, they spend less than 15 percent of
their budgets on food. In developing nations, such as India, food
spending accounts for nearly half of the average household's funds.
While experts don't know for sure how the drought will affect world food
prices, many nations depend upon America's corn, soybean and wheat
exports. Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Japan, Peru, South Korea and East African countries are the most dependent on U.S. corn imports, the Guardian reported last week. Food prices and social unrest have been closely correlated over the past five years, leaving experts to fear a repeat of 2007 and 2010, when waves of social unrest followed food cost hikes.
3. Sad, skinny animals at county fairs
Though far less serious than some of the other drought outcomes, the AP reports that prize animals showing up at state and county fairs this summer are far skinnier than their prize-winning ancestors.
In one Wisconsin-area fair, entries were down by two-thirds, as farmers
said they were too busy struggling to stay afloat with their dried-up
pastures and the rising cost of feed to enter into the contests at all.
4. Wildfires
Firefighters have been battling
wildfires in Nebraska, Arkansas, California, Texas, Colorado and other
states this summer. Extra-dry conditions mean more fires are likely as
the summer stretches on.
5. Barges stuck on riverbeds, roads buckling
The drought is taking its toll on
key transportation and infrastructure in the country. The Mississippi
River has gotten so low that barge operators are worried they will get stuck while navigating it.
They've had to lighten their loads, which means taking more trips to
transport $180 billion in grain, coal and other goods. Meanwhile, roads
are buckling, water pipes are bursting, and power lines are burning up in wildfires due to the nine-month drought, reports The Texas Tribune.
No comments:
Post a Comment