Global warming is the term used to describe ever rising temperatures on the planet due to the activities of mankind. This heating up of the planet is now on record thanks to a number of diligent science projects taken up by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Climatic Data Center.

NOAA scientists found that the average temperature — 64.3 degrees F – for the contiguous US during May 2012 was 3.3 degrees higher than the long-term average. This means that the earth is losing moisture and is becoming drier. The rain isn’t helping as the nationally averaged precipitation as per the NOAA scientists was 2.51 inches, which is 0.36 inches below average.

31 states experienced record warmth for the season. Only the Northwest did not see warmer-than-average temperatures; only Oregon and Washington had temperatures that were normal. The scientists go so far as to say that 37.4 percent of the contiguous US is experiencing drought conditions.

The drought and wind created ideal wildfire conditions in the Southwest. Over 210,000 acres of the Gila National Forest in western New Mexico have already been consumed by forest fires. The animals were trapped and those which survived the fire may not last much longer as they are now starving in the absence of their natural food. Is there a science project that can help overcome this catastrophe?