I want to discuss a subject that is very near and dear to me, especially as I write this in the middle of 2014 in California. Yes, I'm talking about water, or as we are currently experiencing, the apparent lack thereof.
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| President Obama speaking in the parched Central Valley of California |
There are so many things I want to say about water in California, and so many angles to this subject, that it is hard to know where to begin. Suffice to say, this will be one of many posts I compose on water.
One important consideration is the fact that much ink has been spilled and many tongues have wagged dry discussing the state of water in the Golden State. And for good reason. California is the most populous state in the U.S. with an economy that would be in the top ten of the world if counted independently, and much of this economy depends on water. Not only the billions of dollars generated by our agriculture industry, but other key sectors like the tech of Silicon Valley.
Thus, I won't profess to be an expert on water or the first to provide insight on the subject. Perhaps one of the greatest benefits I can provide is to point readers in the direction of smarter minds as I attempt to stand on the shoulders of giants and holler loud about the current crisis we face. Read brilliant books like Cadillac Dessert by Marc Reisner, or if you're feeling a little less ambitious watch the cinematic version; heck, re-watch the Jack Nicholson classic Chinatown with a close eye on the politics of water that course throughout the plot.
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| Jack Nicholson in Chinatown |
There are plenty of great websites and resources to learn about the current state of water affairs, from essential information provided by the state's Department of Water Resources to the think tank The Pacific Institute to Wholly H2O.
Water is a topic that can lead to some very heated debates, particularly in California. I don't mind wading into that fray and tackling some contentious issues, but before I do, I think I'll close this initial discourse on H2O with a fairly non-controversial idea: water conservation. Particularly in the midst of a drought, one of the most effective tactics is to reduce water consumption. This approach, known also as demand reduction, can be applied to other sectors, such as energy, and is both extremely cost-effective and ecological.
Earlier this year I had the opportunity to write an article for SPUR on leading water conservation strategies being employed in the Bay Area by water agencies and public utilities, which I wanted to share. Enjoy, and let me know what you think!
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Last but not least, a water tip: related to the aforementioned SPUR article, I'd like to offer a suggestion for folks to reduce their water consumption. Many cities and water districts offer water audits or surveys, in which a specially trained agent comes to a person's house or apartment and comprehensively inspects the home. They look at all water-using appliances, check for leaks, make sure everything is running optimally, and then make suggestions based on their findings, provide tips, and sometimes even hand out free devices or rebates. So if you pay a water bill, call your water provider and ask if they provide this service, which is usually free of charge!
