Western US getting hotter, faster, than the rest of the planet

The Western States of America are getting hotter, nearly twice as quckly as the rest of the planet. This is liable to cause increased draught, as serious problems for many large US cities in the region.

the Natural Resources Defense Council has been studying official federal government temperature data. And has come to the conclusion that, across the western region of the US is made up of 11 states. From 2003 to the end of 2007 the average temperature was 1.7 degrees Fahrenheit or nearly 1 degree Celsius hotter than the average for the entire 20th century.

The same period the average temperature rise across the planet was1 degree F, or .5 degree C. In the basin of the Colorado River which is the main water supply. For many it is including Las Vegas, San Diego and Los Angeles. The average temperature rise was a massive 2.2F, or 1.2C.

Most of the rivers flow derives from snow melting in the mountains, predictions are that increased temperatures will reduce the amount of ice and losses will increase due to evaporation.

The Rocky Mountain Climate Organization spokesman Stephen Saunders said, “Since 2000 we have seen $2.7 billion in crop loss claims due to drought. Global warming is harming valuable commercial salmon fisheries, reducing hunting activity and revenues, and threatening shorter and less profitable seasons for ski resorts,”.