Background
Drought, wildfires, and extreme weather — is this the new normal for Texas?
A Tale of Fledgling Birds, Invasive Species and Climate Change
As little birds learn to fly, experts say they face plenty of threats.
Latest Posts
June 12, 2013
June 6, 2013
Why Texas Cattle Ranching Continues to Decline
Ranchers and farmers were undeniably the worst-hit when it came to the Texas drought of 2011. After over $7 billion in losses in the agricultural sector that year (with most of those losses in cattle and cotton), some never recovered. Over a million head of cattle were sold out of the state in 2011, and […]
Why Texas Cattle Ranching Continues to Decline
Ranchers and farmers were undeniably the worst-hit when it came to the Texas drought of 2011. After over $7 billion in losses in the agricultural sector that year (with most of those losses in cattle and cotton), some never recovered. Over a million head of cattle were sold out of the state in 2011, and […]
This Week in Drought: The Two Sides of Texas
The rain in South Texas has been fickle this spring. “Oh, we’ve had some rain,” says Ed Walker, Manager of the Wintergarden Groundwater Conservation District. “But it’s been an inch here, a half-inch there. It’s really dry.” Walker’s work involves managing the underground water in the counties of Dimmit, La Salle and Zavala, a part of the state […]
June 5, 2013
High Wildfire Risk, Longer Fire Season Possible This Year
Major wildfires could occur across the Southwest this year, including in Texas, according to several scientists on a Climate Nexus panel Tuesday. Now that Texas in its third year of drought, the state is likely to experience a longer fire season as a result of dry conditions and rising summer temperatures. High fire risk conditions […]
High Wildfire Risk, Longer Fire Season Possible This Year
Major wildfires could occur across the Southwest this year, including in Texas, according to several scientists on a Climate Nexus panel Tuesday. Now that Texas in its third year of drought, the state is likely to experience a longer fire season as a result of dry conditions and rising summer temperatures. High fire risk conditions […]
June 4, 2013
Report: As Natural Gas Displaces Coal, Carbon Emissions Fall
Increased use of natural gas to generate power in the U.S. is contributing to a decline in greenhouse gas emissions, according to a new report from the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES) out today. While coal still makes up a substantial percentage of the nation’s electricity, particularly when power demands rise in the […]
Report: As Natural Gas Displaces Coal, Carbon Emissions Fall
Increased use of natural gas to generate power in the U.S. is contributing to a decline in greenhouse gas emissions, according to a new report from the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES) out today. While coal still makes up a substantial percentage of the nation’s electricity, particularly when power demands rise in the […]
June 3, 2013
When Will the Texas Drought End?
There have been two constant questions since the drought began: Will we have another 2011? And how long will the drought continue?
When Will the Texas Drought End?
There have been two constant questions since the drought began: Will we have another 2011? And how long will the drought continue?
May 31, 2013
This Week in Drought: As Parts of Texas Slightly Improve, Panhandle Continues to Suffer
Heavy rains over Memorial Day weekend helped pull more of the state from the depths of an ongoing drought. Parts of Northeast Texas along the Red River joined the Houston area as the three percent of the state no longer under abnormally dry or drought conditions. And while conditions also improved throughout most of the […]
This Week in Drought: As Parts of Texas Slightly Improve, Panhandle Continues to Suffer
Heavy rains over Memorial Day weekend helped pull more of the state from the depths of an ongoing drought. Parts of Northeast Texas along the Red River joined the Houston area as the three percent of the state no longer under abnormally dry or drought conditions. And while conditions also improved throughout most of the […]
All Signs Point to Strong Hurricane Season
Tomorrow marks the beginning of the six-month Atlantic hurricane season, and forecasters think it might be a doozy. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts this coming season will produce more than 13 named storms. An average season produces 12, but the amount of hurricanes and major hurricanes is predicted to be above average as […]
May 24, 2013
This Week in Drought: The Biggest Losers
While the overall percentage of the state suffering from drought did not increase from last week, six percent of Texas, mostly in the Panhandle, sunk deeper into it. The U.S. Drought Monitor maps show exceptional drought spreading in North and West Texas in the past week, with less severe drought levels decreasing in other parts […]
This Week in Drought: The Biggest Losers
While the overall percentage of the state suffering from drought did not increase from last week, six percent of Texas, mostly in the Panhandle, sunk deeper into it. The U.S. Drought Monitor maps show exceptional drought spreading in North and West Texas in the past week, with less severe drought levels decreasing in other parts […]
May 21, 2013
Severe Weather Likely in Texas Into Tuesday Evening
A day after a massive tornado ripped through Central Oklahoma, the National Weather Service predicts severe storms will move across a swath of Central and North Texas Tuesday afternoon and evening. There is potential for tornadoes in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The Weather Service’s Fort Worth office recorded 55 mph winds early Tuesday afternoon, according […]
Severe Weather Likely in Texas Into Tuesday Evening
A day after a massive tornado ripped through Central Oklahoma, the National Weather Service predicts severe storms will move across a swath of Central and North Texas Tuesday afternoon and evening. There is potential for tornadoes in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The Weather Service’s Fort Worth office recorded 55 mph winds early Tuesday afternoon, according […]