texas drought
Newsletter
Credit: Juanita Swart/Unsplash
Texas farmers face rising costs as drought worsens
With climate change exacerbating drought conditions, Texas farmers are increasingly reliant on heavily subsidized crop insurance, as costs continue to surge.
Dylan Baddour reports for Inside Climate News and Alejandra Martinez reports for the Texas Tribune.
In short:
- Texas has seen crop insurance payouts for drought soar from $251 million per year in the 2000s to over $1 billion annually in the 2020s.
- Drought now accounts for more crop insurance claims than any other weather event in Texas.
- The federal crop insurance program, crucial for farmers, is facing mounting financial pressure due to increasing extreme weather events.
Key quote:
“Drought and heat are expected to get worse in Texas. Climate change is going to increase costs for both taxpayers and farmers.”
— Anne Schechinger, Environmental Working Group
Why this matters:
Escalating drought conditions threaten the viability of Texas agriculture, driving up costs for both farmers and taxpayers. Subsidized by the federal government, these insurance programs are designed to mitigate the financial risks associated with crop failure due to adverse weather conditions. For Texas farmers, crop insurance is no longer a precaution but a necessity. The safety net it provides has become increasingly essential as extreme weather patterns become more common.
Related EHN coverage:
Keep reading...Show less
Newsletter
Credit: William Silver/Big Stock Photo
Water delivery disputes between Mexico and US impact South Texas
As another hot summer approaches, South Texas faces water shortages due to Mexico's failure to meet its obligations under an 80-year-old water treaty.
In short:
- Mexico has not met its water delivery obligations to the U.S. as required by a 1944 treaty.
- Farmers and municipalities in South Texas are preparing for significant water cutbacks.
- Political tensions in Mexico and the U.S. are complicating efforts to resolve the water delivery issue.
Key quote:
“We haven’t gotten any rains or significant inflows. It’s not looking good.”
— Maria-Elena Giner, commissioner of the International Boundary and Water Commission
Why this matters:
Water shortages could severely impact agricultural production and municipal water supplies in South Texas. Farmers are already preparing for the worst, anticipating crop losses that could impact the local economy and food supply. Cities are implementing stringent water conservation measures, urging residents to cut back on usage. Health officials warn that the scarcity could lead to increased health risks, particularly for vulnerable populations such as the elderly and young children, who are more susceptible to the effects of extreme heat.
Keep reading...Show less
Newsletter
Photo by Thomas Park on Unsplash
Another hot, dry summer may push parts of Texas to the brink
Some areas are starting the year with low water reserves, and forecasters don’t expect substantial relief from the weather.
Newsletter
Texas’ plan to provide water for a growing population virtually ignores climate change
Climate change has brought higher temperatures that dry soil more quickly, enhancing the effects of drought and causing less rain to flow into Texas’ rivers and streams. At the same time, longer-lasting and more intense heat brought by climate change accelerates water evaporation from Texas’ reservoirs.
‘The easy water is gone’: Drought and climate change strain Texas aquifers
With heightened concern over dwindling water supplies in communities all across Texas, many towns and cities have put in place their most strict water conservation ordinances.
elpasoheraldpost.com
Texas ranchers, activists and local officials are bracing for megadroughts brought by climate change
This century, Texas could face the driest conditions it has seen in the last 1,000 years.
Newsletter
www.texastribune.org
Drought returns to Texas months after Hurricane Harvey floods state
Just five months after the monster storm gave Texas its wettest month in history, much of the state is now in a drought — including areas that saw historic flooding.
ORIGINAL REPORTING
MOST POPULAR
CLIMATE
