Situated in the south central part of the United States, Texas is the second largest state in the U.S. It is also the third fastest growing state and holds a number of the most populous cities in the nation [US Census,2013] and number one in the nation in producing greenhouse gasses [EPA, 2013]. Stress in water resources can be seen in rapidly populated and over populated areas, where the water demand is high and availability is limited. This is particularly magnified in Texas due to climate change. It is important to identify different factors that shape Texas’ climate before characterizing its implication on water supply in the future.
Texas climate is challenging to categorize because of its great size and varying topographic characteristics. Geological factors such as the North American Cordillera hinder air travel west to east and vice versa, while also preventing cold air masses from the Arctic Circle travel southward to into the state. The Gulf of Mexico, supplies the air with moisture and buffers fluctuating temperatures [larkin and Bomar, 1983]. These factors form a range of climates in the state from subtropical-arid to subtropical-humid. [larkin and Bonmar, 1983]. A trend can be seen in relation to average temperature and precipitation. Temperature increases north to south (figure 1) and precipitation increases east to west (figure 2).
FIG1. Caption of ave temp FIG.2 caption will explain the trending precip. pattens
Texas climate cannot be simply explained by variations in mean temperatures and rainfall, but must be combined with variation in severe and high impact weather too. Tornados hail, and hurricanes are common occurrences throughout springtime. Hurricanes can yield substantial amounts of rainfall causing major flooding. [NG,2005] Drought also must be included when focusing on high impact weather in Texas.
Extreme weather events, such as drought, are tremendously important when considering stressors to water resources. History of drought has been documented in Paleoclimate studies using long lived tree species indigenous to Texas. Tree-ring proxies are especially useful when reconstructing histories of climate change across a large region like Texas, since many can be sampled from different areas. Annual tree ring data can give a precise year-to-year temperature and precipitation records. Tree ring data has shown droughts lasting a decade or more staggered throughout the state happening randomly since the 1600’s. (why this is important to water supply) [Brenner]
Temperatures in Texas are projected to rise 2°C to 5°C with the next century.
When we see Texas, we remember today mainly for its BBQ, Football and Black Gold, Texas tea. However, there is much more than just the usual itineraries that we find in most other states as well. Molly Ivins in her essay “Is Texas America” categorically states that, “Here's the deal on Texas. It's big. So big there's about five distinct and different places here, separated from one another geologically, topographically, botanically, ethnically, culturally and climatically” (Ivins). This is a true belief from Molly Ivins of how huge Texas was and how the demographics changed in each geographical location in Texas. The population of Texas and the demographics are two essential factors that include many important parameters in deciding the history of any state. The presence of many ethnic groups further adds to the diversification of
Texas is a unique place with a colorful history of legendary cowboys and tall tales. The state stretches over the middle section of the southern United States. Texas has experienced shifts in governmental control within the United States. French, Spanish, Mexican, and Confederacy, and all having once been in charge, not to mention the time Texas spent as an independent republic. Texas has had many battles and wars within its borders, resulting in seven different constitutions within a span of fifty years between each document.
While reading "The Kind of Light that Shines Over Texas," I noticed that the author emphasized the different reactions of minorities towards racism and injustice. The varying responses truly showed how much the blatant racism affected them and their behavior. Ah-so isolated herself in reticence and seemed to “build a home” in herself, creating walls and barriers that kept everyone else out. On the other hand, the narrator, an anti hero, denied his racial identity and sucked up to those who treated him badly. The unjustifiable hatred of others causes us to do irrational things in order to gain their acceptance and approval. In the narrator's case, the kids and even the teacher of his predominantly white school causes him to be a culprit of internalized
Texas is considered a colossal state with a great potential. Students from grades K-12 even through college, under all conditions, suffer greatly on school necessities like supplies, college loans, or possibly even transportation ways. Students up in northern states have it easy on how their parents can support their needs because the fact that the economy is so much better than down in the south.
There are many gratifying factors that attract people to the state of Texas which allows it to be one of the most diverse demographic systems in the United States. The most imperative influences in Texas’ are the prosperous business settings in its major cities, the vast amount of land and rich natural resources, and the convenient central location in the United States. All of these factors are attractive to citizens throughout the states and immigrants looking to migrate into the country. These features can cause a state to have major fluctuations in its demographics in regards to race, income, and age.
Thesis: The nine years of Texas’s independence were long and seemed to be dragged out. Were those nine years unnecessary and could it have been done in a shorter period of time?
The government of the state of Texas is a difficult and complicated institution that is composed of many different levels. The question comes in to everyone's mind at one time or another whether or not to trust the government. It could be that people believe that the officials will take advantage of their power, or simply people don't like the idea of being controlled by someone who is not a family member or friend. To avoid this centralized power, the government is divided into stages and this is a reasonable ground for trusting the government. Government runs this state and it does deserve to be trusted.
Texas is the size of Ohio, Indiana, and all the New England and Middle Atlantic states combined, and its vast area encompasses forests, mountains, deserts and dry plains, and a long, humid, subtropical coastal lowland. Texas's wealth of mineral resources is almost unequaled among the other states. Its rapid economic development stimulated by these resources and its vast size have made Texas an American legend. Oil wells, chemicals, ranches, and cattle have played a major part in that legend.
Precipitation is the source for both groundwater and surface water in the Basin. Most flow in perennial streams is from snowmelt and rejected recharge from Mesozoic through Precambrian aquifers in the surrounding mountains and irrigation return flows from Quaternary and Tertiary aquifers (Taucher et al., 2012). The basins consumptive uses make up 37% of surface and ground water use and is used for agriculture, stock water, domestic/municipal, industrial/mining water, and reservoir evaporation (Taucher et al., 2012). The flow of surface water alters throughout the year as well as ground water. The monthly changes in flow are heavily reliant on the amount of precipitation that the area had received throughout the year. The most obvious occurrence is between April and August for the Wind-Bighorn River when average monthly flow rises from around 300cfs in April to 1,600cfs in June, and back down to 300cfs in August. This large spike can mostly be attributed to the melting of snow in the high country. Ground water released by springs drive up peak flow during this time of the year increasing total
Houston is a busy city in Texas with a lot to do. There is great food and attractions for everyone.
Throughout the years people wondered why it is important to study Texas history and its events. One of the main events, people should study or have acknowledge of, is about The Texas revolution which has been the most significant event in Texas that initiated on October 2, 1835 and ended on April 21, 1836. The revolution allowed Texas to gain its independence from Mexico and its dictatorship. During the revolution they’re has been important events that mark this revolution, whether it’s the battles, the abolition of the federal constitution, and its influential leaders who led Texas to be an independent state.
Texas politics is long and at times very complicated, due to the amount of state constitutions they have gone through, especially the one we follow today. The first state constitution was in 1827 before Texas gained its independence from Mexico, due to the fighting and Texas achieving its independence in 1836 a new constitution had to be adopted. A few years later a new constitution was needed when Texas joined the United States in 1845. However, when Texas seceded from the United States at the beginning of the Civil War in 1861, a new constitution had to be drafted. After the civil war in 1866, yet another constitution had to be written for Texas to re-join the union. Three years later during the reconstruction of 1869, Republicans took control
Texas’ Political ideology centers on Republicanism and Conservatism. This political culture greatly reflects in the state’s taxing system. Texas runs on “laisse faire” motto, meaning that business should left alone. Generally, people with this political ideology do not desire any sort of government intervention (except when it comes to social issues)
Smith, Ron. (2009). “Exceptional drought” covers 32 million acres in south Texas. Available: http://southwestfarmpress.com/management/exceptional-drought-covers-32-million-acres-south-texas. Last accessed 14th Dec 2010.
Many scientific studies also show increases in the intensity, duration, and extent of droughts, higher atmospheric temperatures, warmer sea surface temperatures, changes in precipitation patterns, and diminishing glaciers and snowpack. The bottom line is that causes of climate change, such as greenhouse gas emissions, will have to be minimized if people want to do as much as possible to solve the water crisis. Works Cited Water demand management: the case of Zaragoza, Spain Web 25 Nov. 2014. http://www.un.org/waterforlifedecade/swm_cities_zaragoza_2010/pdf/final_report_swm_cities.pdf.