California's Epic Water Crisis
Published on Nov 19, 2015
No Description
MORE DECKS TO EXPLORE
PRESENTATION OUTLINE
Most of California is experiencing "extreme to exceptional drought," and the crisis has now entered its fourth year.
Photo by Paul's Lab
CAUSES
- unsustainable agriculture
- outdated water rights laws
- unrestricted urban development in unsustainable desert environments
- misplaced confidence in human ingenuity
- climate change
The drought shows no sign of letting up any time soon, and the state's agricultural industry is suffering. A recent study from U.C. Davis projected that the drought would cost California's economy $2.7 billion in 2015 alone.
laws actually encourage farmers to take even more water from the Colorado River and from California's rivers than they actually need, and federal subsidies encourage farmers to plant some of the crops that use the most water.
laws actually encourage farmers to take even more water from the Colorado River and from California's rivers than they actually need, and federal subsidies encourage farmers to plant some of the crops that use the most water
Cotton is one of the thirstiest crops to gro
- Cotton is one of the thirstiest crops to grow. Especially in a desert.
- Federal 'Use it or Lose it' Policies encourage overuse.
Since 1995, California farmers have gotten $3 billion in federal subsidies to grow cotton.
Photo by Philip Taylor PT
Untitled Slide
- it takes 86 gallons of water to make just 1.75 ounces of beef.
- if every American ate meat one less day a week, it could save as much water as flows through the Colorado River in an entire year
Photo by Alex E. Proimos
Climate change is accelerating the problem, with a tremendous reduction in snowfall, and ultimately the snowpack; whose annual melting provide the majority of available surface water
Photo by ImageLink
NOAA scientists say it could take several years of average or above-average rainfall before California's water supply can return to anything close to normal...
and even if that miracle comes, agricultural mis-use, and legislation need to be updated in consideration that this is not an infinite resource.
Photo by VinothChandar
California's is a severe, but relatively short-term, drought. But the Colorado River basin — which provides critical water supplies for seven states including California — is the victim of a slower-burning catastrophe entering its 16th year. Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Nevada, Arizona and California all share water from the Colorado River, a hugely important water resource that sustains 40 million people.
Photo by The Blue Boy
