Yup, California is in desperate need of water as the past three winters have been particularly dry. Television and radio news agencies are reporting, on a daily basis now, stories about how dire the water shortage is becoming, the need for water conservation and the new restrictions being enforced. And the fines the average California homeowner will incur if they are caught wasting this precious resource, (neighbours are being encouraged to snitch on one another to the authorities).
The water situation is bad, but there have been worse droughts in California's history. Of course, there are more people living in California than ever before and with population growth comes the need for more food to be produced. California needs to eat.
The water situation is bad, but there have been worse droughts in California's history. Of course, there are more people living in California than ever before and with population growth comes the need for more food to be produced. California needs to eat.
Some little sound bites I have heard on the news include; Agriculture is said to be about 2% of the California economy, but uses some 80% of all the water; It takes one gallon of water to produce one almond; It takes three times as much water to grow one acre of alfalfa (and other forage crops) than it does to grow one acre of rice; California produces more rice than China; Alfalfa production in California is subsidised so that farmers can produce alfalfa cheaply to sell to China for cattle feed. Now, I don't know how much of what is reported is factual, but stories like these give the average, thirsty California some food for thought.
The rain will come, eventually. But in the meantime, when life gives you raisins, make Amarone.
Cartoon courtesy of the Napa Valley Register.
