A WORLD WE DARE TO IMAGINE.1
In recent years, the health of the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta has raised concerns as invasive plant species are diminishing water quality and killing its salmon populations. Furthermore, rising sea levels erode levees, allowing these invasive species to pollute the water and contaminate the entire watershed. Since a large portion of Los Angeles’s water supply is obtained from Northern California, the condition of this precious water system should be a concern of the entire state. Therefore, we must invest to restore its ecological health.
Growing up in the Napa Valley, I can see the importance of water and the region’s reliance on it; not only for the grapes and wine which the economy heavily depends on, but for its ecosystems and population. In the fall of 2017, severe fires destroyed homes and habitats throughout Napa, Sonoma, and Santa Rosa, placing even more importance on water for emergency protection. Because of this, we must allocate funding to develop new surface water storage infrastructure to help in safeguarding the region’s economy and environment for years to come.
California was declared drought-free according to the U.S. Drought Monitor on March 28th. This is the first time that the state, as a whole, has been drought-free in 7 years. An accomplishment no doubt, but we need to act now. We must take action to invest in the restoration of water systems, new infrastructure development, and increase awareness about water conservation tactics to sustain the drought-free status for the long-term.
I did not know previously that there was a problem with specific invading plant species polluting out waters and contaminating entire watersheds. I agree with you that we must take action to restore these water systems and change our infrastructure development. I was wondering if you had any ideas on how we can go about implementing this change?
ReplyDelete- James Yun
Thank you for sharing. Water is definitely a big issue in California and even though the state has been declared drought free that doesn't mean we should resort to our old ways. When I studied abroad in Cape Town, South Africa there was also a huge drought going on. There were a lot of drastic efforts made there that I think california should try to implement as well to prevent another drought. Some of the efforts were as simple as taking shorter showers, not leaving the sink running when washing dishes, not flushing the toilet after you pee and bringing your own water bottles to restaurants so they waiters don't have to waste water by washing the glasses over and over again. I think it all comes down to people being used to their ways and not liking change, if we can get these concepts advertised and encouraged more I think it would make a difference.
ReplyDelete-Hannah Barach
Thanks for sharing Scott. Even with me being an out-of-state student at USC, I have always seen water as a precious resource, especially in California. I do agree with you that the issue you presented is certainly a grave concern. You discuss this need but how will you get investors and even the general public engaged with the issue your trying to resolve/fix. Do you have any ideas yet to how some of the water systems function? Also is it expensive? I agree with Hannah in that making this idea or any initiative for that matter engaging to your audience is something to narrow your focus on. Making people care about the fact ecosystems are in danger is the first step in getting the investments needed. Maybe consider how you can capture their attention for this. Love your idea!
ReplyDelete-Clifton