In this country, water is one of those resources most of us tend not to think too much about, at least until there’s a problem. If the current California drought and a new study published by CERES are any indication though, water is about to become one of those resources we start to discuss a lot.
California is facing a severe drought, possibly the worst in two decades. Californians will likely face rationing, but others will likely be affected as well, in the form of food prices. California’s Central Valley is an arid area that is completely dependent on irrigation to produce crops. It spans about 500 miles and grows almost half of the fruit and vegetables produced in the United States. The drought has lowered the water level in federal reservoirs to their lowest level since 1992, and recent court decisions have cut back the amount of water that flows from to Sacramento-San Joaquin delta to as many as 2/3 of the residents of California.
All of this means that farmers who were served by reservoirs in Central Valley and Sacramento Valley will get no water for irrigation this year. Already officials in Fresno County are predicting farmers will grow half the acres of lettuce that they did in 2006, and economists are predicting the drought could cost between 60,000 to 80,000 jobs and $2billion in revenue as farmers are forced to use expensive well water and will almost certainly have to cut crops and jobs. Using well water will also force price hikes. 850,000 acres are likely to go unplanted this year.
While no one is exactly sure what this will mean for food prices, most economists agree that the original predication that prices will stay stable throughout 2009 are wrong, and that as a result of the drought, prices could get pretty high.
For that not to happen, Californian farmers will have to find inexpensive water fast. Last Friday, state water officials called on all Californians to immediately cut 20 percent of their water use. While we have to wait to see if that helps, this isn’t a problem that will just go away. Given the essential dryness of the region, policies are needed to support the most water conserving irrigation systems, which are not currently widely used.
Pollution and the demand for water by rising world populations that need ever-growing amounts to produce food and energy have put a strain on our water sources, and California must recognize that water shortages are here to stay beyond times of drought. Around 70 percent of water used globally is for agriculture, and as Kai pointed out a few weeks ago, not all food carries an equal “water footprint.” Unless consumers cut down on the foods that use the most water, farmers employ more sustainable farming methods including water conservation practices, and we begin to create better local food distribution systems, extreme conditions like California’s severe drought will stand to affect us all around the country.
You can read more about how the drought is affecting California growers here. To learn more about the links between farming and water usage, check out this (pdf) from h20conserve.org.
8 responses so far ↓
1 OrganicGeorge // Mar 10, 2009 at 9:28 pm
During the oil crisis of the 70’s Buck Minster Fuller was asked he though of the shortage. He replied that he was not concerned about oil but what worried him was the shortage of water in the 21 Century.
Some people really do have vision.
2 BeWaterWise Rep // Mar 26, 2009 at 6:48 am
Fresh water reserve levels for Southern California have dropped significantly over the last few years. Years of drought on the Colorado River, and below-normal rainfall and snowpack in the Sierra Nevada mountains, combined with environmental restrictions on pumping water, have severely reduced the region’s water supply.
http://www.mwdh2o.com/mwdh2o/pages/yourwater/WaterAlert/
As a result, we are currently heading into Mandatory Conservation. What this means is that restrictions or fines on water usage could be imposed in order to address our water shortage. Therefore we need to make a conscious effort to reduce and minimize our water usage. Easy things we can do to help save water include fixing leaky sprinklers, installing water efficient shower heads, toilets and sprinklers etc. Check out all the tips on the site and pass it on to fellow Southern Californians!
3 Tom Heidel // Mar 30, 2009 at 1:53 pm
The rest of the country needs to start helping out and water is only part of it. Too many of us are used to going to the store and getting our produce whenever we want. This is courtesy of California and its water.
Transportation of this produce also has a green house gas expense.
People need to start using local providers of produce when in season. Local farmers markets can be located at: http://www.localharvest.org/.
Once people begin to purchase produce locally, it will develop these markets and bring cost down. In addition to supporting local businesses, you are getting fresher produce with much less green house gas emissions.
Take your locally sourced produce and can it. Canning, fermenting and freezing is a delicious way to save in-season produce for when it is not in season.
4 leslie // Apr 1, 2009 at 1:45 pm
Tom,
I think you’re right, all of these issues are connected.
And while Local Harvest is another great resource, Green Fork readers can access the Eat Well Guide directly from this blog by entering their zip code in the green box on the right.
The Eat Well Guide provides comprehensive info on local farmers’ markets throughout the US and Canada, as well as farms, markets, restaurants, even lodgings and other local-food eateries.
You can even find directions to these Eat Well destinations, through Eat Well Everywhere (http://eatwellguide.org/travel_map) or access the Guide via iPhone at m.eatwellguide.org
5 david // Apr 24, 2009 at 12:34 pm
i’m from the bay area there a a huge drought
6 Stephanie // May 4, 2009 at 7:22 pm
I’m going to cast the first stone here, since I’m in the clear COMPLETELY in one thing. Population control! I see people talking about water conservation, desalinization, but I see no talk WHATSOEVER about getting the snip-snip, you know, tubes tied, cut. I’m in the clear because I chose this route rather than risk pregnancy every time I want to have fun. Therefore, I cannot contribute to this problem in this manner. THIS is the real problem. We have too many people alive. My suggestion is holding off on having babies for quite some time. Since this is completely unrealistic for most people, can someone please recite for the record Charles Heston’s famous speech at the end of “Planet of the Apes” in front of what’s left of the statue of Liberty?
We are so screwed for this reason!
7 Marla // May 16, 2009 at 2:04 pm
Secret water diversion is a ruthless and barbaric operation. In the case of Fresno / central valley, it began 50 yrs ago by a group of city employees and developers – by hand. Block-by-block, parcel-by-parcel. So keep in mind that the methods may not be what one would expect, but enough to finally get the job done.
Upon being caught, Fresno Mayor prohibited reports – see how far he went in order to keep this covered up.
CLICK: Behind Fresno’s secret water diversion
Also see CLICK: Marla
8 Marla // Jul 18, 2009 at 4:24 pm
50 yrs have been put into creating this so-called “water shortage.” The valley’s water system was replaced right under our noses – in one of the most barbaric manners imaginable. Our water is being re-directed beyond Friant / Millerton / Madera for upcoming development. Casinos, housing, dams, golf courses – contracts with Harrahs and Caesars have already been signed. Check this out: http://www.myspace.com/marlalk4
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