Environmentalists such as Al Gore have brought such issues as global warming, and consequently, rising ocean water levels to the attention of the public. However, water managers like Pat Mulroy, head of the Southern Nevada Water Authority, and Roger Pulwarty, climatologist at the National Oceanographic Atmospheric Administration, believe that there is another problem out there which deserves equal attention: the diminishing supply of fresh water available.

Because of the environmental changes brought about by global warming, regions may experience two seasons of drought: one caused by the climate changes themselves, and the other brought about by global warming. These dry spells will inevitably snowball into other effects: the possible collapse of water-based industries, court battles over water distribution, and the like. Needless to say, Mulroy, Pulwarty and their colleagues are already having a challenging time managing the distribution of this basic resource.

As bleak as the situation may seem, it's not hopeless, either. Roger Pulwarty, in particular, doesn't subscribe to the notion of environmental determinism. According to Mr. Pulwarty, it all starts with redoubling efforts to prevent further climate change. Another is to get people to agree on cooperative arrangements for coping with long-term droughts. Pat Mulroy, for her part, cited the need for "re-engineering the culture and conventions of the West"-in other words, changing the way we use our water so that everyone's needs may be sufficiently met.

With people like Pat Mulroy and Roger Pulwarty leading the way in addressing the drought problem, the good news is that something can be done about it before it's too late.