We’re becoming better at predicting natural disasters in California, but how come these situations have started to become worse? California is known for redwoods, the coast, and incredible weather, but underneath this reputation is a growing crisis. A reality of drought, wildfires, and earthquakes have become a prominent issue among communities throughout all of California. The intensity of these disasters and frequency has also started to increase. Can our state catch up?
The most noticeable example is wildfires. Yearly, fire season has begun earlier and lasted for a longer period of time. A problem that used to be designated to a short amount of time has evolved into a year-round threat. In the status quo, we have seen countless homes burned down, and habitats for many species set aflame. One of the main contributing factors is the fact that California is becoming increasingly dry, and the global temperatures are rising constantly. As this continues to happen because of the greenhouse effect, California becomes more prone to wildfires which worsens the damage each year.
Wildfires are only the tip of the iceberg, drought is also a central issue in California that is imperative to address in order to solve our wildfire issue. A core problem is the growing water supply demand especially in areas that are becoming increasingly harder to fulfill. The expansion of heavily water dependent agriculture and urban expansion are both issues that have contributed to our limited resource capacity. This also depends heavily on our water supplies coming from lakes and rivers that provide water to millions of people. Our water supply has been reduced because of this and oftentimes rain isn’t capable of replacing what has already been lost.
Prevention, one of the most important aspects of the problem, is still failing many despite all current efforts. The underlying issue stems from the infrastructure of our cities and developed areas across California. Riverside and Napa County are prime examples of this. Wildfire prone landscapes with trees that spread fire easily cover the mainland. Drought and immense heat exacerbates the issue causing severe collateral damage that is sometimes irreversible. Climate change complicates this issue; as temperatures increase, soils lose moisture which creates drier conditions vulnerable to the smallest of fires. As climate change intensifies, so do wildfires.
We must focus on urban agriculture efficiency that reduces our needs for excessive water consumption which also helps us with the rigorous water distribution. By implementing sustainable irrigation methods, recycling water, and prioritizing crops that require less water. Even if California starts more sustainable habits, more must be done. California’s natural disasters are no longer in random sequences, they’re patterns shaped by our trail of actions. The issue has manifested itself into a puzzle, the pieces are ours to discover, and if we continue to ignore the picture, solving will no longer be an option.