Water disconnected
I read an article today on Yahoo! about California's four year drought. Fenit Nirappil on behalf of Associated Press article addressed both governmental and non-governmental actors as well as the public reactions to Governor Jerry Brown statewide restrictions concerning the use of water. Since his appointment, Governor Brown, has been enacting measures hoping to reduce the use of water; now he issued an unprecedented order that should cause a greater stir. The order mandates a 25% reduction in water usage statewide.Towards the end of the article Nirappil states, "Since then, cities have developed local storage and supplies to soften the blow of future dry years, making it harder to get residents to cut back in the current drought. For many Californians, water still flows from taps without any extra hit to their wallets." From the time the drought warning was issued and moving forward, they hasn't been great reduction in water usage. I marveled how city leaders developed "sustainable" practices to "sidestep" the affects of climate change. Two key points stood out to me in this article. First, despite this being the four year of the drought certain practices are not enforce. Furthermore, on the other hand the governor's order doesn't target the largest water user in California - the farmers.
Based on the article it seems as if local officials have taking measures to implement laws and practices that would discourage water waste on many levels. Yet, Nirappil reports "Despite increasingly stringent regulations imposed on local water agencies by the state, overall water use has fallen by just half that amount, prompting Brown to order the stronger action by the water board." Its interesting to note, despite fines and rebates for installing water saving apparatus many people aren't provoked to save water. Researchers expect water usage to decrease once the Governor's order affects the public wallets. Is this the only way to get the public attention?
While reading this article, I thought of our beloved New York. How does this affect New Yorkers? Living in an urban city where until recently most of my friends and family food came from supermarkets; whose produce comes primarily from the west. If California drought increases in its severity it will eventually impact New York food markets in a noticeable way. According to the California Department of Food and Agriculture: California's share of the US agricultural export was 14.7 % up slightly from the pervious year. And sone of the top exports are almonds, broccoli and dairy and dairy products. As a matter of fact 90% of our broccoli comes from California. Is the agriculture income so large that the government hopes that by curbing individual and business water waste it will balance out the big farms?
How much does the advancement of technology impact daily comforts so much so that majority of people live without fear or regard for mother nature? For me I can't imagine just going one and preparing life outside of California. Despite Governor Brown's mandates, critiques urge him to do more. Food & Water watch affirm that more pressure can be put on corporate farms, and Oil interest to stop pollution and depletion of California's fresh water reserves.How does one's world look like with out water?
Citations
Nirappil, Fenit. "California governor orders mandatory water restrictions." Yahoo News!. Yahoo, Apr. Web. 1 Apr. 2015.
"California Agricultural Production Statics." California Department of Food and Agriculture. USDA, n.d. Web. 1 Apr. 2015.
Based on the article it seems as if local officials have taking measures to implement laws and practices that would discourage water waste on many levels. Yet, Nirappil reports "Despite increasingly stringent regulations imposed on local water agencies by the state, overall water use has fallen by just half that amount, prompting Brown to order the stronger action by the water board." Its interesting to note, despite fines and rebates for installing water saving apparatus many people aren't provoked to save water. Researchers expect water usage to decrease once the Governor's order affects the public wallets. Is this the only way to get the public attention?
While reading this article, I thought of our beloved New York. How does this affect New Yorkers? Living in an urban city where until recently most of my friends and family food came from supermarkets; whose produce comes primarily from the west. If California drought increases in its severity it will eventually impact New York food markets in a noticeable way. According to the California Department of Food and Agriculture: California's share of the US agricultural export was 14.7 % up slightly from the pervious year. And sone of the top exports are almonds, broccoli and dairy and dairy products. As a matter of fact 90% of our broccoli comes from California. Is the agriculture income so large that the government hopes that by curbing individual and business water waste it will balance out the big farms?
How much does the advancement of technology impact daily comforts so much so that majority of people live without fear or regard for mother nature? For me I can't imagine just going one and preparing life outside of California. Despite Governor Brown's mandates, critiques urge him to do more. Food & Water watch affirm that more pressure can be put on corporate farms, and Oil interest to stop pollution and depletion of California's fresh water reserves.How does one's world look like with out water?
Citations
Nirappil, Fenit. "California governor orders mandatory water restrictions." Yahoo News!. Yahoo, Apr. Web. 1 Apr. 2015.
"California Agricultural Production Statics." California Department of Food and Agriculture. USDA, n.d. Web. 1 Apr. 2015.
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