To what extent do you feel that our current public policies are addressing the current drought effectively?

Alshammari

Majed Alshammari

Marc Simoes

ENGL 301B

5/3/2017

The recent drought in California (2015) is one of the most severe in the world’s record today. The occurrence of El Nino rains has not solved the problem. The drought affected heavily on California. For instance, the volumes of consumption water supply reduced precariously, about 2 ft, causing aquifers to crack, drying of water canals and pipes. Rationing of amount of water available for irrigation was also effected. The production of hydroelectric power was immensely affected due to low water levels in the dams. This made the state to lunch alternative sources of power from solar. The prolonged drought endangered the savanna grassland that is the habitat to many wild animals. The wildlife fires risked causing enormous air pollution, kill wildlife and destroy properties. The drought also reduced productivity of alfalfa, fruits and cotton thus influencing the returns of industries like walnut. Irrigation water was reduced, severely affected production of beef products because of high prices of animal forage. Many parcels of land have been rendered fallow thus; the low productivity will cause high food prices .

The state says that the drought in California was man made. It was caused by various policies that the government had formulated. It seems that the government was not formulating water utilization policies that may be used sustainably. The country has vast amount of water (over ½ of its demands) flowing to Pacific Ocean which is not well utilized. Research shows that the country has had enough rainfall well distributed being above 14 units. Again, the country has implemented the water utilization and reduced it by 31% way above the target of 25%. The country still experiences water shortage in spite the endowment.

Recently, the state has embarked on the activities that will see the havoc is resolved for good. Initially, California built several dam and underground storage tanks that kept it safe until then. California and Bay area, implemented a policy that enable them to interconnect their water supply system thus improving the supply.

California is creating awareness on the good water use personal habits. Water conservation department is carrying out frequent pipe check on the water pipes and faucets to reduce on the amount of water not utilized productively. It is stated that about 10 gallons of domestic water spill over into tranches and are wasted. Homesteads installation of overhead showers has been regulated to allow showers that use little water. The time spent in showers has also been recommended to be lower than 10 minutes and use high efficient water using toilets, washer, and sinks among others.

California has also embraces initiatives to reduce on global warming, a key cause of climatic change. California is promoting production of clean energy production and automobiles that re fuel-efficient or use clean energy. This aims at reducing the amount of pollutants emissions into air and checking the level of pollution of water and other natural resources. Clean energy will also reduce on the cutting down of forestry that help to sequester carbon from air.

The state is also transforming the agricultural systems to ensure that they are not dependent on irrigation for productivity. Large scale pipe watering is being installed on the farms and incorporating organic mulching that reduces the amount water used per hectare. Practices that encourage tillage which enable the soil to absorb more water have been encouraged. The government has promoted planting of drought resistant native species by subsidizing the inputs on farms that practice organic farming.

The state has also raised $ 7.5 billion through government bond with an aim to promote and conserve more water through awareness and construction of more water storage facilities. This will enhance the conservation of waters consume and storage of enough water for the population in drought season. The state is also developing a integrated water supply system that will link the consumption rate to the production rate. The government is investing in research on the capacity of underground water available for use in California. It will help the state to plan for the sustainable production and supply of water to its citizens.

California has also embarked on fundamental strategy to hasten establishment of forests, reforestation of open grassland and afforestation of wetlands. Forests acts as water sinks that help boost the underground water. Wetlands purify water and release them for consumption and grasslands stabilize soils so that they are not swept into water bodies. Planting large parcels of land will not only increase the volumes of surface running water that sinks, but also reduces surface flow thus mitigating the effects of flooding. Forests sequester carbon from air, conserve soil and regulate the amount of both oxygen and moisture in air thus making the environment healthier for human population. California aims at mitigating climatic changes and create safe atmosphere for a healthy population. Business organizations and companies like Coca-Cola are being encouraged to find a way to safely disposes their wastes and also participate in the mechanisms of water storage.

References

Brennan, A., & Lackstrom, K. (2016). The Nidis Coastal Carolinas Dews Program Progress Report.

Cooledge, M. (2015). Sublime Absence: An Analysis of the California Drought Discourse (Doctoral dissertation, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo).

Gonsier, S. (2015). Trouble in Paradise: How the California Drought is Affecting Vineyards and the Wine Industry.