Water shortage risks will hit a very large percentage of all U.S. counties by mid-century, according to a major new TetraTech study released today by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).
The county-by-county analysis looks at how water supplies could be jeopardized in the more than 1,000 counties facing water sustainability problems. The analysis shows a 14-times increase in the number of the most severely threatened U.S counties. The extent of U.S. agriculture at risk was outlined during the news event.
Fourteen states — Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Kansas, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas — were identified as facing the greatest overall at water-related risks, including limitations on water availability as demand exceeds supply.
Speakers at the phone-based conference included Sujoy Roy, principal engineer and lead author, TetraTech, and Pete Altman, campaign director, Climate Center, Natural Resources Defense Council.
If you were unable to attend today’s live “Water Shortage Crisis” news event, a streaming audio replay will be available after 6 p.m. EDT, July 20, 2010 at www.nrdc.org.
