A nation that destroys its soil destroys itself.
Franklin D. Roosevelt
In the early 20th century, farmers in the Great Plains plowed up millions of acres of grassland to grow wheat.
However, when drought hit in the 1930s, the exposed soil turned to dust.
Massive dust storms, known as “black blizzards,” swept across the region, making it impossible to farm.
Thousands of families, especially in Oklahoma and Texas, were forced to migrate in search of work, often moving to California.
This crisis led to new government policies promoting soil conservation and sustainable farming practices.
The Dust Bowl serves as a warning about the consequences of environmental mismanagement and the importance of protecting natural resources.
Vocabulary Bank:
- Drought – Kekeringan
- Plowed – Membajak tanah
- Conservation – Pelestarian
- Sustainable – Berkelanjutan
- Migration – Migrasi atau perpindahan penduduk
Soal:
What modern environmental issues could be compared to the Dust Bowl?
