One of the consequences expected due to global warming is drought, but most scenarios have focused on the western part of the U.S. However, right now there is a looming crisis in a part of the country that most people would not think of as vulnerable to this type of problem. Well no more. This story has been a big deal locally here in Atlanta and the Southeast over the past several months- first there was the heat wave of historic proportions- in August Atlanta had its warmest month in history, along with other cities in the Southeast. But there was also a severe lack of rainfall during the summer and now we are close to paying the piper. From the NY times:
In North Carolina, Gov. Michael F. Easley asked residents Monday to stop using water for any purpose “not essential to public health and safety.” He warned that he would soon have to declare a state of emergency if voluntary efforts fell short.
This is exactly the type of scenario that will be repeated in other areas not just here, but worldwide as well. Drought and water availability are not sexy like hurricanes, but may ultimately be just as costly and dangerous as other aspects of AGW.