Geography GCSE Edexcel - Hurricane Sandy and Namibia/California Droughts for Weather and Climate (copy)

Causes of California drought

2013/2014 rain seasons were driest recorded, arid environment, agricultural shift towards more water-intensive crops

Social impacts of California drought

Use of polluted water, communal tanks in low-income areas

Economic impacts of California drought

Loans to dig deeper wells, alternative sources of irrigation needed in agriculture

Percentage of water in California used for agriculture

80%

Amount of money lost in California drought

US$1.5 billion

Number of jobs lost in California drought

17000

Percentage inflation of food prices

6%

Environmental impacts of California drought

Wildfires, Land subsidence, shortage of river fish

Time and location of wildfires in California

May 2014, San Diego

Size of shrinkage of land in Central Valley California

<60cm

Individual responses to California drought

Smaller crops grown, sparing use of water

Organisational responses to California drought

Linen and towels not washed daily in hotels, schools (e.g. Stone Corral Elementary) purchasing bottled drinking water

Government responses to California drought

State of emergency, funds given from the President

Amount of money given from President Obama to California

US$100 million

Time and location of Superstorm Sandy

Began in Western Caribbean, travelled to Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti, USA, October 2012

Number of USA states affected by Superstorm Sandy

24

Loss of money of USA in Superstorm Sandy

US$63 billion

Death toll in USA in Superstorm Sandy

117 (41 in New York)

Number of homes with power cuts in USA in Superstorm Sandy

9 million

Number of houses destroyed or damaged in USA in Superstorm Sandy

650000

Number of cars destroyed by flood water in USA in Superstorm Sandy

250000

Economic impacts of Superstorm Sandy on USA

Large insurance claims, large reparation costs

Total insurance claims in USA after Superstorm Sandy

US$3.3 billion

Damage cost in USA due to Superstorm Sandy

US$19 billion (US$1.1 billion on sewage in New Jersey and New York)

Environmental impacts of Superstorm Sandy in USA

Sea water contamination in fresh water habitats, release of sewage, damage of beaches, oil spills

Volume of sewage released into Raritan River during Superstorm Sandy

1.5 billion L

Percentage of beaches in New York and New Jersey damaged from Superstorm Sandy

90%

Volume of Arthur Kill oil spill in Superstorm Sandy

15 million L

Individual responses to Superstorm Sandy in USA

Sheltering in other’s homes, hiring builders for rebuilding, home insurance or aid from organisations and government

Organisational responses to Superstorm Sandy in USA

Restoring beaches for horseshoe crabs, aid

Number of meals and snacks provided by Red Cross to USA in Superstorm Sandy

17 million

Government responses to Superstorm Sandy in USA

Aid to victims, improved weather forecasting, funds for emergency food assistance and reparation for farmlands

Aid given by USA government in Superstorm Sandy

US$60.3 billion

Fund given by Department of Agriculture in USA in Superstorm Sandy

US$6.2 million