California Could Suffer Australia-Like Drought
A severe drought caused by intense heat in Australia may be a clear sign of conditions to come for the United States.
Record conditions "Down Under" have led to a drastic drop in rice exports, wheat crops, and water rationing.
"Think of that as California’s future," Heather Cooley of California water think tank the Pacific Institute, told Reuters.
Methods of seeking out new sources of water in California have almost been tapped out, experts say. Global warming is magnifying these conditions, said California Department of Water Resources Director Lester Snow.
"It isn’t that drought is the new norm," said Snow. "Climate change is bringing us higher highs and lower lows in terms of water supplies."
In 2006-2007, Los Angeles had had its driest year, with a mere 3 inches of rain.
Just last month, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a drought emergency. As a result, LA residents now plan to take part in the city’s first water ration in 15 years.
According to Reuters: “California farmers lost more than $300 million in 2008 and economic losses may accelerate to 10 times that this year as 95,000 people lose their jobs. Farmers will get zero water from the main federal supplier.”
Every year it seems like this water thing is getting rougher and rougher," said Nick Tatarakis, who fears for his business’ livelihood due to drought conditions. "I took everything I had saved over the last three or four years, put it into farming almonds, developed this orchard. Now it is coming into its fifth year and probably won’t make it through this year."
"There’s no slack any more. The rope is tight, and if you give it a tug, it yanks on something," said University of Arkansas Ecological Engineering professor Marty Matlock.
"Add water and you have the instant good life," said James Powell, author of "Dead Pool.”
"For the last few years, the driest states, Arizona, Utah, and Nevada, have been the fastest growing. And you know that can’t be sustained," he told Reuters.
The consequences could be great for farmers and businesses alike. In a report from California water planners, three different scenarios exist for saving water in the state by 2050. However, all three scenarios find that agricultural output will drop.
Other businesses in harms way will include semiconductor manufacturers and beverage companies.
The Sierras in California will have 25 percent to 40 percent less snow by 2050, according to California’s water department forecasts.
California wants to raise or build new dams to catch the increased flow as part of a broad set of solutions, according to Reuters.
"There is no one silver bullet," Snow said.
"The dams are an expensive detour that I don’t think will ever be built," said Lee Harringon, executive director of the Southern California Leadership Council, a group of urban public utilities and other businesses.
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