ROSA E. MORAN ENGL 2050 The California Droughts

Droughts in the United States The United States’ history has been influenced by droughts such as the Dust Bowl of the 1930’s, where severe dust storms caused major ecological and agricultural damage to American and Canadian prairie lands. Droughts like these lead to significant economic damages and social changes. 1

Droughts in the United States The United States’ history has been influenced by droughts such as the Dust Bowl of the 1930’s, where severe dust storms caused major ecological and agricultural damage to American and Canadian prairie lands. Droughts like these lead to significant economic damages and social changes. 1 Although these droughts occurred due to natural causes, global warming has caused the increase of erosion in most parts where the drought is taking place. 2

California Drought Opposite to popular belief, the California droughts have not been caused due to global warming entirely, since it is simply a symptom of natural variability. However, the record high temperature that accompanies the drought has been amplified by global warming. 3 In February 1 st 2014, Felicia Marcus, the chairwoman of the State Water Resources Control Board, claimed that the drought is the most serious one they have faced, and that California needs to conserve the water they have in order to use in the future years. 4

California Drought (cont.) Along with the severity of the drought, the rising temperatures also rise fears across the state since the last three years have been the hottest periods in the entire 119-year history of California’s weather patterns. 4 These draught has been made worse by California’s water expenditure being higher than the intake. A 2014 study showed that the State Water Board allocated 440,000 billion L of water while it only gets 84,000 billion L in a good year. 5

California Drought (cont.) Along with the severity of the drought, the rising temperatures also rise fears across the state since the last three years have been the hottest periods in the entire 119-year history of California’s weather patterns. 4

California Drought (cont.) Along with the severity of the drought, the rising temperatures also rise fears across the state since the last three years have been the hottest periods in the entire 119-year history of California’s weather patterns. 4 These draught has been made worse by California’s water expenditure being higher than the intake. A 2014 study showed that the State Water Board allocated 440,000 billion L of water while it only gets 84,000 billion L in a good year. 5

Effects of the Drought According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the US lost more than 10 million trees due to the California Drought, which could cause forest fires in the State’s National Parks and lead to the endangering and extinction of certain species. 6

Effects of the Drought According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the US lost more than 10 million trees due to the California Drought, which could cause forest fires in the State’s National Parks and lead to the endangering and extinction of certain species. 6 California rice plantings decrease by 32 percent, reducing the production of rice and increasing the price of the product. These losses are estimated to be over 1 billion dollars in the State of California. 7 Tourist attractions that involve large bodies of water (such as navigation, fishing, diving, swimming, and others) have largely reduced their numbers or closed down.

Approaches to the Drought Water consumption regulations are more strict, to the point that the state is going to issue fines up to 500$ to residents who waste water. 7 Watering a lawn is now an offense which could be punished by up to $1,000 fine. 11

Approaches to the Drought Water consumption regulations are more strict, to the point that the state is going to issue fines up to 500$ to residents who waste water. 7 Watering a lawn is now an offense which could be punished by up to $1,000 fine. 11 Councilmen, and Congressmen have created laws that would punish water wasters and reduce the agricultural use of water by 6.6 percent. 9,10,11

Approaches to the Drought (cont.) Celebrities like Lady Gaga have created Public Service Announcements where they ask Californians to join the effort and take measures to save water. 12 Citizens of the State have turned away from bottled water, and people from across the nation refuse to buy water that has been bottled in California, although these companies are not much at blame. 15

Approaches to the Drought (cont.) Architects use the landscape to hold water and prevent water loss, as well as adapting the landscape to save water consumption. 13

Approaches to the Drought (cont.) Architects use the landscape to hold water and prevent water loss, as well as adapting the landscape to save water consumption. 13 Tech companies have created solar thermal technology that could turn salty, contaminated irrigation runoff into pure water. 14

Tips to Save Water in the Kitchen Select the proper sized pans and pots. Wash fruits and vegetables in a small container of water instead of running tap water. Get a water and energy efficient dishwasher and make sure to run the dishwasher only when it is full. Keep one basin with wash water and another one with water to rinse while doing the dishes If you drop any ice cubes, drop them in a houseplant rather than throwing them out. Switch from bottles to filtered tap water.

Tips to Save Water in the Bathroom or Laundry Room Install a water-efficient clothes washer and only use it when it is fully loaded. Wash dark clothes in cold water. Install sinks that reduce the flow to less than one gallon per minute. Install 5 gallon per minute showerheads and take five- minute showers instead of 10. Install a high-efficiency toilet with a dual flush function (one for solid waste and one for liquid) and check for leaks at least once a year. Take showers instead of baths. Turn the water off when brushing teeth, shaving, or lathering your hands.

Tips to Save Water Outdoors Wash cars with a bucket, sponge, and a hose with self-closing nozzle. Put a layer of organic mulch around drought resistant plants and trees, reduce evaporation, keeps the soil cool, prevents weeds, and saves gallons each time you water an area of 1000 square feet. Use a water-efficient irrigation system to avoid leaking, overwatering plants, and splashing the house or the sidewalks.

Tips to Save Water at Work Check water meters at night and weekends to monitor leaks, and pay close attention to water bills that show an unusually high use. Switch to fake plants, or re-landscape your worksite with drought tolerant plants. Encourage employees and/or coworkers to save water and to report water leaks.

ANY QUESTIONS?

References 1. "Drought: A Paleo Perspective – 20th Century Drought". National Climatic Data Center. Web. 2. "Is Water the New Oil?" Common Dreams. N.p., n.d. Web. 3. "Climate Program Office Climate Programs Modeling Analysis Predictions and Projections MAPP Task Forces Drought Task Force California Drought." Climate Program Office Climate Programs Modeling Analysis Predictions and Projections MAPP Task Forces Drought Task Force California Drought. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 June 2015.

References (cont.) 4. "Amid Drought, California Agency Won't Allot Water." - Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, IL). N.p., n.d. Web. 5. "Dehydrated state of America." Down To Earth 31 May 2015.Environmental Studies and Policy. Web. 6. "US loses more than 10 million trees to California drought." Down To Earth 11 May Environmental Studies and Policy. 7. "California approves fines for water- wasters." Underground Construction Oct. 2014: 61. Business Economics and Theory Collection. Web.

References (cont.) 8. "California approves fines for water- wasters." Underground Construction Oct. 2014: 61. Business Economics and Theory Collection. Web. 9. “The Impacts of Drought” California Water Science Center. July Web 10. "L.A. City Councilman Moves to Mandate Water Recycling and Protect L.A.'s Trees." The Bond Buyer 16 Apr Business Economics and Theory Collection. Web. 11. Schlanger, Zoe. "California's Farms Would Only Need to Cut Water by 6.6 Percent to Match Urban Restrictions; California may need to ration water for farmers, too." Newsweek 24 Apr Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure. Web.

References (cont.) 11. "California Governor Mandates Water Restrictions." The Bond Buyer 6 Apr Business Economics and Theory Collection. Web. 12. "Lady Gaga Rolls Out PSA with Save Our Water Program."Professional Services Close-Up 27 July Business Economics and Theory Collection. Web. 13. Fixsen, Anna. "California landscape architects' strategies hold water." Architectural Record May 2015: 30. Academic OneFile. Web.

References (cont.) 14. Fixsen, Anna. "California landscape architects' strategies hold water." Architectural Record May 2015: 30. Academic OneFile. Web. 15. They've Made a Scapegoat of Big Names like Nestle. "Drought Turns Californians against Water Bottling Companies." CNNMoney. Cable News Network, n.d. Web. 16. “Explore how you can Save Water.” Save Our Water. May