The current drought experienced in California is caused by the greenhouse gases affecting atmospheric pressure. Therefore, the assumption that human being responsible for the drought is accurate. Research indicates that some actions of the human beings are contributing to the development of the effects of the drought; the original causes of the drought can be linked to global warming. However, the mitigation of its effects calls for the assumption of quick and decisive action. The fact that the drought is not caused by the human activity in the state does not absolve the other human activities on the other parts of the world, global warming is culminating effect of decades of release of greenhouse gases hence the destruction of the balance. The current drought has been explained as one of the effects of human activity in the region (Griffi and Anchukaitis 9019). The California state is not absolved from the responsibility as far as global warming is concerned. The state has one of the highest rates of pollution in the United States given the large population and a high concentration of vehicles. Release of greenhouse gases from the state itself is adequate to cause mild climatic changes.
As a result of the increased greenhouse gas concentration in the region, there has been an increase in atmospheric pressure over the pacific region (Griffi and Anchukaitis 9023). The Pacific region is responsible for the rainfall in the western seaboard. When the atmospheric pressure diverts the storms from the state, there are prolonged periods of inadequate rain hence the drought witnessed today.
The current drought is inextricably linked to the human activities in the region. The level of atmospheric pressure is simulated with the past levels. The research indicates that human activities after the economic revolution have contributed to the creation of high helves of greenhouse gases. Therefore, the current condition goes beyond the natural causes and it is cumulative human activity. Industrial revolution may have led to the creation of better products and increased economic growth (Griffi and Anchukaitis 9017). However, the current drought is one of the long overdue side effects of developing without a proper ecological sustainability plan.
The drought has also had some significant effects on the economy as it is. Given that California is one of the most productive states in the United States, this will also affect the food supply in other parts of the country; hence, increasing the costs of living in those parts too. The additional estimates based on the increasingly high temperatures and air conditions, assess that the drought will result in the wild fires which may extend to human dwellings. Wildfires threaten the biodiversity in the state. They also threaten to harm the ability of the state to create a robust tourism industry. When the wild fires extend to human dwellings, there will be a loss of the crops and houses (Zilberman et al. 3). The economic loss will be immense since the fires will create a bull whip effect.
It is imperative that the Californians come up with sustainable uses of water in order for them to handle the drought. Water saving farming methods ought to be applied in order to ensure that the agricultural productivity is not affected (Zilberman et al., 3). Domestic water uses ought to be reduced by skipping activities such as watering the lawns or reducing the number of times per week when the lawns ought to be watered.
Works Cited
Griffin, Daniel, and Kevin J. Anchukaitis. "How Unusual Is The 2012–2014 California Drought?" Geophysical Research Letters 41.24 (2014): 9017-9023.
Zilberman et al. "Individual and Institutional Responses to the Drought: The Case Of California Agriculture." Journal of Contemporary Water Research and Education121.1 (2011): 3.
