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Chapter 9: Problem 12

Describe the four types of drought. Why do you think media coverage of drought seems lacking?

Short Answer

Expert verified
The four types of drought are meteorological, hydrological, agricultural, and socioeconomic. Each of them affects a different aspect of environment and society. Media coverage of drought could be lacking due to reasons such as its slow onset nature, its wide area of effect, the lack of immediate visual impact, and lack of a suitable vocabulary to accurately portray the varying implications of drought.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding Drought Types

Drought can be classified into four main types. Meteorological drought is when an area experiences a prolonged period of less rainfall than the statistical average. Hydrological drought occurs when the water reserves available in sources such as aquifers, lakes and reservoirs falls below the statistical average. Agricultural drought affects crop production and occurs when there is insufficient moisture in the soil where the crops grow. Finally, socioeconomic drought occurs when the demand for an economic good exceeds the supply as a result of a weather related shortfall in water supply.
02

Analyzing media coverage on drought

Media coverage on drought can be perceived as lacking due to several perceived reasons. Some of these could be: the slow-onset nature of droughts makes it less noticeable; its effects are often spread over large areas and can be harder to document; drought is not as visually impactful or dramatic as some other natural disasters so does not attract as much immediate attention; media might lack full understanding or suitable vocabulary to accurately portray the severity and implications of drought.
03

Formulate conclusions

Having understood the various types of drought and their impact can help build an informed perspective on why it is important to address these issues. Understanding why media coverage is lacking can help in devising strategies to improve communication and awareness about the issue.

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