It’s no secret that California has been experiencing a very serious drought since 2011. The recent drought is only just a preview of what will happen in the future in climate change. Roughly 58% of the state is facing even worse drought conditions. According to researchers, it is important for governments to consider these conditions as they develop strategies for coping with the effects of climate change in densely populated areas. Where these California drought conditions are, “worse than anything seen during the last 2,000 years,” it would pose unpredictable challenges to water resources. But even if you don’t live in California, it will still affect you. Not only is California the most populated state in the United States, it’s also home to Central Valley, a major supplier of the world’s food. Below are some eye-opening images of the drought and the effect it had on California.
The California drought was effecting their citizens and some of their regular activities, like skiing and boating.
It also had a huge effect on dams which can produce electricity, power, and sewage.
And the more the weather is changing, the worse the drought kept getting.
There are always wet years and dry years, but the past 7 years have been among the driest on record.
California’s reservoirs had about a year’s worth of water left. Groundwater levels, also thought of as a “savings account” that the state can draw from in dry times, were at an all-time low.
But what can be done to help stop the California drought from happening again? For residents like you and I, there are a few simple solutions to help to avoid this again.
Urban water use could be reduced by 40 to 60 percent if residents replaced lawns with drought-tolerant plants.
Also, they can work to fix water leaks, and replace old toilets and shower heads with more water-efficient technology.
And instead of channeling used water into the ocean, the state could treat it and reuse it.
Either way, looking at these images make it even more apparent that something needs to be done or California will be no more.
It’s not just the people of California that could be in danger, but much of the wild life in California is at risk as well.
The effect of the California drought is not just limited to California though. Keep in mind a lot of produce and many crops are in California, meaning rising prices for the rest of us too. The drought will crop life, and human life all at once.
Luckily the California drought is getting better after 7 long years with conditions getting back to normal, thanks to an exceptionally wet winter this year.