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California is bones-dry. It's the third driest year on record, in fact. The drought has been deemed serious enough that Governor Edmund G. Brown has asked every Californian to do their part and reduce their water usage by 20 percent. “We can’t make it rain, but we can be much better prepared for the terrible consequences that California’s drought now threatens, including dramatically less water for our farms and communities and increased fires in both urban and rural areas,” said Governor Brown. “I've declared this emergency and I’m calling all Californians to conserve water in every way possible.”
In Governor Brown's State of Emergency declaration, he directed state officials to assist communities and farmers economically impacted by the severe dry conditions. He also ensured that the state would be able to respond to those communities should a drinking water shortage happen. Campaigns have taken place for states to encourage citizens to use less water, hire more firefighters, and expand in-depth public service announcements on water conservation.
Was this too late? Are these gestures a last grasp to save an unforgiving desert in which approximately 37 million Californians live?
"I now am extra wary of when I choose to use water," comments South Pasadena neighbor Suzie Wong. "I'm timing my showers. I am careful not to waste. This is a serious issue. I wish we, as Californians, had taken more precautions towards water conservation as the city grew."
"It was definitely our fault," fellow South Pasadenaen Ray Waldorf says, laughing self-disparagingly. "I remember those Smokey Bear PSAs from the 50's and 60's. We just needed a cute mascot and a fun slogan to save our water!"
In Governor Brown's State of Emergency declaration, he directed state officials to assist communities and farmers economically impacted by the severe dry conditions. He also ensured that the state would be able to respond to those communities should a drinking water shortage happen. Campaigns have taken place for states to encourage citizens to use less water, hire more firefighters, and expand in-depth public service announcements on water conservation.
Was this too late? Are these gestures a last grasp to save an unforgiving desert in which approximately 37 million Californians live?
"I now am extra wary of when I choose to use water," comments South Pasadena neighbor Suzie Wong. "I'm timing my showers. I am careful not to waste. This is a serious issue. I wish we, as Californians, had taken more precautions towards water conservation as the city grew."
"It was definitely our fault," fellow South Pasadenaen Ray Waldorf says, laughing self-disparagingly. "I remember those Smokey Bear PSAs from the 50's and 60's. We just needed a cute mascot and a fun slogan to save our water!"
Of course, citizen/dad-joker Ray Waldorf is mostly kidding. But to an extent, there is a fault in the late response to the drought - but no one knows who to blame. California's dry weather is not a new feature to its desert-like landscape. Environmentalists, homeowners, and farmers alike point fingers at each other, but all share the blame for failing to do more sooner. The state's intervention comes at an uncertain time; 17 rural communities were deemed "at risk" with only 100 dwindling days' worth of drinking water supply. Climate change is definitely blamed; some scientists cite the thinning snowpack as evidence global warming is taking its toll/exacting revenge. Contrarily, some scientists say the climate change should bring more rain, as the infamous polar vortex would have benefited California's climate. As writer Jeffrey Ball said for the "Trapped in a Devastating Drought, California needs to Take on Some Surprising Sacred Cows," "California would be better prepared to withstand its current lack of rain had various constituencies conceded to tougher water-saving measures over the years. Which constituency is most culpable is subjective. Your answer depends largely on your politics."
Regardless, the new tactic is to refocus on solutions, which appear just as cutthroat as the drought conditions have been to California's agricultural economy. In January, the State Water Project was introduced to re-engineer the water pipelines and ditches that provide water to over 25 million California residents and 750,000 acres of farmland. By re-engineering, the project means slashing: the state says it will provide no water to those people/farmlands, and ambitiously aims to half the amount of water delivered to agriculture in the Sacramento Valley. “Simply put, there’s not enough water in the system right now for customers to expect any water this season from the project,” said Mark Cowin, director of the California Department of Water Resources.
All of California is expected to make sacrifices. Governor Brown asking its people to use "recycled water" as often as possible. Farmers are ripping out the thirstiest crops (here's looking at you, almonds). The state released a 10 page list of recommendations that read like chiding rules to misbehaving children ("Take shorter showers." "Washing sidewalks, driveways, patios, parking lots, tennis courts with water is prohibited.").
When Governor Brown signed in that groundwater legislation in September, he said: ""We have to learn to manage wisely water, energy, land and our investments," said Governor Brown. "That's why this is important." Whether Californians have taken it seriously is something only time will tell - making millions reverse bad habits that are decades old is a tough process, contradicting the easy-breezy California cool lifestyle the state is idolized, and sometimes made fun of, for. As Ray Waldorf remembered Smokey Bear, it starts with you: only you can prevent water waste.
If only we had a better catchphrase for the crisis.
Regardless, the new tactic is to refocus on solutions, which appear just as cutthroat as the drought conditions have been to California's agricultural economy. In January, the State Water Project was introduced to re-engineer the water pipelines and ditches that provide water to over 25 million California residents and 750,000 acres of farmland. By re-engineering, the project means slashing: the state says it will provide no water to those people/farmlands, and ambitiously aims to half the amount of water delivered to agriculture in the Sacramento Valley. “Simply put, there’s not enough water in the system right now for customers to expect any water this season from the project,” said Mark Cowin, director of the California Department of Water Resources.
All of California is expected to make sacrifices. Governor Brown asking its people to use "recycled water" as often as possible. Farmers are ripping out the thirstiest crops (here's looking at you, almonds). The state released a 10 page list of recommendations that read like chiding rules to misbehaving children ("Take shorter showers." "Washing sidewalks, driveways, patios, parking lots, tennis courts with water is prohibited.").
When Governor Brown signed in that groundwater legislation in September, he said: ""We have to learn to manage wisely water, energy, land and our investments," said Governor Brown. "That's why this is important." Whether Californians have taken it seriously is something only time will tell - making millions reverse bad habits that are decades old is a tough process, contradicting the easy-breezy California cool lifestyle the state is idolized, and sometimes made fun of, for. As Ray Waldorf remembered Smokey Bear, it starts with you: only you can prevent water waste.
If only we had a better catchphrase for the crisis.