The Road to Water｜California and Gansu Water Challenges, 2
California, fondly referred to as the Golden State, bears this title not only because of the gold rush of the 1800s, but also because of its golden, dry grasslands that stretch across its terrain. The state's climate has naturally been predisposed to periods of drought due to its Mediterranean climate, characterized by dry, hot summers and wet winters.
Besides the climate pattern, several human activities contribute to California's drought.
Water-intensive agriculture is a major factor. California's agricultural sector is a major contributor to the nation's food basket. According to the 2017 Census of Agriculture, California's 70,521 farms ranked No. 1 in agricultural sales with $45.2 billion; this accounted for nearly 12 percent of the U.S. total and was over $16 billion more than the No. 2 state.
Despite this agricultural prominence, the intensive irrigation requirements of California's farms present significant water use challenges. The state's climatic conditions necessitate the use of large amounts of water for irrigation. For example, a significant proportion of California's agricultural water use goes towards growing high-value, water-intensive crops like almonds, pistachios, and grapes. In fact, in California, around 80% of human water use is dedicated to agriculture, according to the Public Policy Institute of California.
On top of this, outdated water management policies further worsen the situation. For example, California's reservoirs used to be kept partly empty during winters, to prevent flooding from storms. But this often led to water being released when it could have been stored for drier times.
When drought strikes, the impacts are hard to miss: Sandstorms increases and there will be more pollution and crop failures. As an indirect consequence, dry vegetation also creates the perfect fuel for wildfires. Sadly, the past few years have seen some of California's driest periods. In fact, the span of 2020-2021 was flagged by the California Department of Water Resources as the driest since 1924. This poses challenges not just for the environment, but also the economy and the residents.
Admittedly, progress is being made. Measures like refilling aquifers, saving water, and tweaking reservoir policies are being put into place. Reservoirs, for instance, are now kept at least 80% full during winter and water is only released if a major storm is forecast. Water conservation mandates are also being enforced. For instance, the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District has limited outdoor water use to once a week.
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But challenges remain. Many farmers are often unhappy with water allocation policies that seem to favor urban areas and environmental conservation over their needs. They argue for a balanced approach that ensures environmental sustainability and fulfills human needs while letting agriculture thrive.
In summary, tackling drought in California isn't just about water conservation. It's a complex issue that impacts the state's population, economy, and environment. As California continues to experience dry spells, it needs a comprehensive, strategic approach to water management. Change is happening, but there's still a long way to go. Balancing water conservation, agriculture, and population needs will be challenging, but with careful planning and better policies, it's definitely doable.
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Content: Ge Yan
Auditor: Xiaowen Di
Publisher: Yatian Xu