In response to severe drought conditions, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham declared a state of emergency in New Mexico. However, the executive order lacked an official emergency declaration and failed to explain the reasons behind the drought, which is now recognized as the worst in history. While the order urged local governments to consider firework bans, it did not take immediate action as fire season approached. State climatologist Dave DuBois stated that climate change is likely increasing the drought's severity, making it longer and hotter than in the past.
A sign reads, "Sorry we are closed due to the very low water" outside a business along the drought-stricken Elephant Butte Reservoir on August 16, 2022.
Lujan Grisham's order did urge local governments to consider "appropriate" firework bans, but did not declare a drought emergency or explain the drought's severity.
The order doesn’t specifically use the terms 'drought emergency' or 'state of emergency,' but it does function as an emergency declaration under the Governor's authority.
Dave DuBois stated, "Climate change is making things worse," emphasizing that while it doesn't cause droughts, it intensifies their severity.
Collection
[
|
...
]