Graphic by Ameer Almedhychy
Matthew Quisel
Opinions Reporter
As the last month of spring begins and summer comes closer, the risks of extreme heat are beginning to emerge once more. Specifically, Western America, which has been hit the hardest by high temperatures, is set for another record-breaking hot summer. Even before summer, western states such as California are already experiencing extreme droughts and water insecurity, which are supposed to worsen in the following months.
After the typical wet season in the winter months, the American West is expected to have ample reservoirs in the spring in preparation for the scorching summer months. However, this year, that is not the case. Already, the water levels of large reservoirs have hit extreme lows, and talks of water rations are beginning to circulate.
Reservoirs like Lake Powell, America’s second-largest reservoir, must be conserved in order to preserve the depleted reservoir and maintain energy generated from hydroelectric power; this will inevitably worsen the water shortages for people who may need to rely on the lake.
Additionally, with the heat rising and little rainfall, forest fires are expected to ravage the forests of California and other western states. Local habitats will be severely damaged, and civilian property will be lost. Droughts will inhibit the ability of firefighters to slow the spread of fires, leading to larger fires, as we saw last year.
Although extreme droughts and forest fires rarely occur in the Northeast, they are still a pressing issue that people must address. While the American West has always been known for its dry seasons, the severity of those seasons has worsened due to greenhouse gas emissions.
In order to resolve these upcoming issues, everyone must make an effort to reduce their impact on the environment to slow the severity of future fires. In addition, the government should create measures to manage water and fortify forests at high risk. The effects of ecological disasters in the West may seem distant from us here in New England, but they will affect the global population if we do not act quickly.
