One of America’s most iconic lakes is fading away, and experts think the problem may become a whole lot worse.
The sheer size of this great nation means that it has vast open stretches of land and stunningly beautiful bodies of water dotted around the American landscape. But as climate change rears its ugly head like a crocodile in a river stalking its prey, the nation is facing a serious problem.
How would you feel about an iconic lake disappearing right before your eyes?
How climate change has changed the American landscape
Climates play a large part in human migration. For decades, millions aimed to move their families to “Sunbelt” states like Florida and Arizona.
However, this trend has been slowly reversing as climate havens such as Buffalo and Duluth are becoming a popular option for those looking to escape the heat in regions previously attractive to the more environmentally-minded.
The change has even affected the iconic Rockies and Sierra Nevada mountain ranges, seeing their natural reservoir of water slowly melting away.
Global warming has hit the largest cities in the nation as well. The concrete in these modern-day jungles is heating up, providing a city-wide “oven effect”, heating the less affluent regions of the city as they have far fewer trees to provide shade that cools the area down significantly.
The American landscape is changing. And not in ways we expected
The iconic rolling hills of the heartland. The beautiful snow-capped mountains of the Rockies. The wide open deserts of Arizona. The US has some of the most diverse natural beauty anywhere on Earth.
And its changining, every day.
Recent findings have seen some states experiencing faint colored haze covering their towns and cities. The astonishing light show is not there to dazzle and amaze; it is a direct result of global warming.
The result of the multitude of climate-related disasters that have become an all too common trend across the nation has led many states to pay closer attention to their most iconic natural landmarks.
The recent bomb cyclone that left millions in a state of ice-frozen disbeleif have raised alarm bells throughout the nation.
And one historically beautiful state with a world of outdoor activities has seen one of its most iconic landmarks in serious peril.
Utah’s most treasured natural lake is facing an uncertain future
The Great Salt Lake in Utah is facing a dangerous future, if a new study is to be believed.
A recent investigation found that the lake has seen its water levels dropping dramatically over the past few decades. The culprit? Unsustainable water diversion. Now, the study notes that due to the population growth in the region, which subsequently needs more water as it grows, the lake may dry up entirely.
And a lot sooner than you may expect. The immediate need to address climate change is clear, even if your state does not feel its direct wrath.
The states that sat ajacent of the deadly wildfires had their own issues to deal with as plumes of smoke enveloped their towns.
The Great Salt Lake has a serious water issue that needs to be addressed
The findings point to the fact that the lake has lost 73% of its water and a further 60% of its surface area over the past few decades. A major problem that consequently arises is that dried-up lake beds emit tons of greenhouse gases into the air.
These toxic dusts create a seriously dangerous situation for the nearly 3 million locals who live near the lake.
The study, “A desiccating saline lake bed is a significant source of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions“, published in One Earth, has noted that the lake could dry up entirely by 2028 if current water levels continue to decline as they have.
Other similar studies have pushed that date back to 2045, but the situation is still dire regardless.
While most of us are still recovering from the snowstorm a few months ago, Utah residents may see their iconic Great Salt Lake vanish right before their eyes.