Climate Change Threatens New Dust Bowl In Southwest

Thursday, April 5th 2007, 3:01 pm

By: News On 6

WASHINGTON (AP) A new study says a changing climate will mean increasing drought in the Southwest and the water levels could fall to levels not seen since the dust bowl of the 1930s.

The study published today by the journal Science says the climate in the Southwest began getting drier late in the 20th century and the trend is continuing.

Researcher Richard Seager says it doesn't mean dust storms like those of the 1930s because agricultural practices today are better.

But he says the reduction in rainfall could be equal to those days.

Most of the water used in the Southwest is used in agriculture. But the urban population is growing and Seager says that means the needs of people for water is also increasing.