According to a new study, global warming is contributing California's drought problem, with rising temperatures causing already-scant moisture from the soil and plants to evaporate into the air.

Published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters, the study provides the first estimate that global warming made things worse by up to a quarter, suggesting that California will see more-persistent aridity in the next few decades. Lead author A. Park Williams said that most people look at the drought as the lack of of rainfall but it also involves available water evaporating, lowering the baseline amount of what's available.

For the study, researchers examined monthly data sets between 1901 and 2014, analyzing temperature, humidity, wind, precipitation and other factors. There were no long-term rainfall trends but they did see a coincidence: as fossil-fuel use grew, average temperatures rose. Over the course of 114 years, a temperature increase of around 2.5 degrees Fahrenheit was recorded.

The drought is already in its fourth year but many experts are of the belief that the rain will come this coming winter. When it does, the researchers warn that people must not be lulled into thinking that everything is back to normal.

California Governor Jerry Brown has mandated that urban water use be cut by 25 percent, including shutting down showers in state parks and beaches, but there's still more that state residents can do to conserve whatever water they have. Every little bit helps, after all.

Some of the things that can be done to further conserve water include:

• Not letting water run when washing dishes by hand
• Fixing leaky faucets
• Installing water-conserving shower heads, washing machines or toilets
• Running a dishwasher only on full load
• Using a cup while toothbrushing
• Timing showers
• Not using the toilet bowl as a trash can (save flushing for when you really need to flush)
• Limiting washing the car
• Lessening lawn waterings
• Sweeping instead of hosing down dirty sidewalks
• Utilizing compost or mulch around plants (reduces how much water they need)

In 2015, California is projected to lose nearly 21,000 jobs and as much as $2.74 billion across all sectors because of the drought. The hardest hit due to current conditions, the agriculture economy accounts for more than $1.84 billion of the losses.

Photo: Don DeBold | Flickr