drought Archives - TPR: The Public's Radio

TOPSHOT - A picture taken on May 10, 2017 shows bare sand and dried tree trunks standing out at Theewaterskloof Dam, which has less than 20% of it's water capacity, near Villiersdorp, about 108km from Cape Town. This dam is the main water source for the city of Cape Town, and there is only 10% of it's usual capacity left for human consumption, at the last 10% is not useable, due to the silt content. The Western Cape Province, which includes Cape Town is suffering from one of the worst water shortages in living memory. This has necessitated the Cape Town City Councel to establish stringent water usage restrictions, and unless unexpectedly heavy rains fall soon, the province will begin a cycle of drought.

NPR

Here’s some new dirt on an unusual source of antibiotic resistance

by Jonathan Lambert March 27, 2026March 27, 2026

New research suggests drought can stoke antibiotic resistance in soil bacteria — and that can have an impact on humans.

NPR

Too hot for trout: Why some anglers are rethinking their approach to fly fishing

by Nathan Rott August 31, 2024August 31, 2024

As Western Montana’s blue-ribbon trout waters warm due to climate change, anglers are increasingly wrestling with the ethics of their sport.

NPR

What is ‘food resilience’? Ask these Ethiopian farmers facing conflict and drought

by Willem Marx August 10, 2024August 10, 2024

Many farmers in Ethiopia have lost valuable land for growing crops. They’re learning to change the way they work to make the most out of what they have.

A field of crops being watered by an irrigation pivot

Environment, Possibly Podcast

Whose behavior really affects the water supply?

by Meg Talikoff, Juliana Merullo and Megan Hall April 16, 2024April 15, 2024

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Last week we learned that individuals’ home water consumption doesn’t really make a dent in the water supply, and the benefit of personal water conservation is saving energy. So, who does affect the water supply? And why should they conserve water?

NPR

What biologists see from the shores of the drying Great Salt Lake

by Kirk Siegler April 13, 2024July 9, 2024

Half of the Great Salt Lake in Utah has now dried up but scientists say there’s still some time left to reverse its decline.

NPR

The Colorado River rarely reaches the sea. Here’s why

by Nathan Rott March 28, 2024July 9, 2024

More than half of the Colorado River’s water is used to grow crops, primarily livestock feed, a new study finds. The river and its users are facing tough decisions as the climate warms.