Global Warming More Greatly Impacting Inner Mountain West

A study was recently released jointly by the National Resources Defense Council and the Rocky Mountain Climate Organization shows global warming is impacting the mountain states region more greatly than other regions in the US thus far. Since 2000, temperatures have increased by as much as 2.2 degrees F in places, particularly in the Colorado River Basin, and the High Plains of MT and WY. Arizona and Utah have been impacted the greatest with the impact on NM slightly less than elsewhere overall. The increase is estimated as being as much as 70 percent greater than elsewhere as a region. The greatest impact of these dramatic changes will be on water resources, already in critical shortage throughout much of the region due to increasing population and demands by agriculture and industry. Tourism is another industry that faces serious impacts as water, often in the form of snow, is essential for this industry. And agriculture and livestock also face increased strains due to global warming which may result in their reduction and even elimination is some areas. It will be interesting to see this same report in the middle of the next decade to observe if an even greater impact has occurred throughout the region due to global warming. This writer would think its a virtual certainty.


http://www.nrdc.org/globalWarming/west/contents.asp


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