BEIJING, CHINA -- If a serious drought ever occurs in Central New York we could learn a thing or two from a city on the other side of the world.

In Beijing, China, a serious multi-year drought coupled with rising water usage have them turning to an unusual plan of action, melting snow. The city’s booming population and drier than normal conditions of late, some of which believe is due to global warming, have them open to any and all options. Beijing doesn’t average very much snowfall annually, so I don’t know how much of a splash this amount of water will make.

Just take a look at this fact. The biggest snowstorm in many years took place this past January when less than an inch of snow accumulated. Too bad we couldn’t lend them some good old fashion lake effect snow from Central New York. I’m sure we could part with a foot or two? According to this article on Yahoo! Green, the city will be using a couple of vehicles to melt the snow.

Beijing has also tried tapping into deep underground water tables in the past. But this tactic has created a serious side effect, sinking ground.

You can read about this form of obtaining water in the city here at the Global Times website.