Mega droughts lasting decades will likely grip the Western half of the United States by the end of the century, according to NASA scientists. The cause: climate change.
If carbon emissions are not reduced dramatically now, people in states from California to Kansas could experience conditions far worse than those of the 10-year Dust Bowl.
Reduced precipitation and soaring temperatures will likely cause water reservoirs to dry up, threatening drinking water supplies for millions of Americans and agricultural production that feeds the world.
World leaders will convene in December to hammer out agreements to address climate change. Between now and then President Obama and Secretary of State Kerry must forcefully advocate at home and abroad for dramatic action to avert catastrophic droughts and threats from climate change.
This is an unprecedented danger, and it requires an unprecedented public response. Urge President Obama and Secretary of State Kerry to do everything in their power to reduce US carbon emissions and push international leaders to do the same in the lead-up to the December 2015 meeting on climate change.
Dear President Obama and Secretary Kerry,
I strongly urge you to do everything in your power to dramatically reduce US carbon emissions and champion new international agreements to address climate change.
NASA scientists now predict an 80 percent likelihood of a mega drought lasting more than three decades unless we dramatically reduce carbon emissions to slow human-made climate change. Such a drought -- or droughts -- would threaten the drinking water of millions of Americans from Kansas to California and imperil US agriculture that feeds the world.
[Your comments here]
As a superpower and one of the world's largest carbon polluters, the US has a special obligation to lead global efforts to avert a climate catastrophe. Every day we wait is a missed opportunity to reduce drought, hunger, and global instability.
According to your own NASA scientists, this is a threat not seen in the last 1,000 years. I hope you will take immediate additional action to reduce US carbon emissions and urge other world leaders to do the same in their countries.
Thank you for considering my comments.
Sincerely,
[Your name here]
