Contents of Volume 1,
Number 1, Spring 1995
- By Thomas R. Karl, Richard W. Knight, David R. Easterling, Robert G. Quayle
The last several decades of weather records for the United States reveal
trends that are consistent with the specific expectations of greenhouse
warming, although were they to persist, these documented changes in the
American record cannot be taken as con clusive evidence for a global
- By Kenneth D. Frederick
Over 1300 gallons of freshwater are withdrawn each day for each person
living in America, counting direct and indirect uses such as irrigation
and the production of electric power. Although the U.S. has seemingly
abundant supplies, the infrastructure of storage and delivery is growing
old, while new factors, including the value of water left in the stream,
now weigh heavily in apportioning it.
- By William B. Meyer
In 1850, old growth trees still grew on nearly half of America; forest
cover of all kinds reached a low point in about 1920, rising to 31% today.
Cropland now covers some 22% of the U.S., and urban development about 4%.
Roughly half of our original wetl ands have disappeared. Changes in how
the land is used are closely coupled with other aspects of the
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