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The California Drought - Climate Case Study?

Alex Smith | 04.03.2014 23:57 | Climate Chaos | Ecology

Despite recent rains, California's reservoirs are near empty, snow-pack light, and groundwater depleted. Four experts on a drought that really started in 2006, impacts on economy, food, farming, and nature. Dr. Peter Gleick, Dr. Jay Famiglietti, David Schroeder, Dr. Reagan Waskom

Rainstorms finally arrived in California, after a 14 month drought with no significant rain. But the big reservoirs are still pitifully low, and snow pack is less than a quarter of normal. Hundreds of thousands of acres will not be planted, and food bills will likely go up in North America, and possibly around the world.

This is the Radio Ecoshock special on the California drought, as a case study of what we can expect in many parts of the Earth. I've lined up 4 experts all with something new for you.

Dr. Peter Gleick is a climate and water specialist who has been warning this could happen for years. He's the President of the Pacific Institute.

Dr. Reagan Waskom is another water and agriculture expert from the University of Colorado. His state feed southern California with water.

We connect with boots-on-the ground water conservation specialist David Schroeder in Montclair, right on the edge of thirsty Los Angeles.

Finally, we get back to the big picture, as Professor Jay Famiglietti at University of California Irvine warns of depletion of the ground water under one of the world's biggest food producing areas. That's a trend all over the world, as we race toward peak water. Amazing science, as satellites weigh California for water...

The big question: is this the start of a hundred year drought, as happened in the 1100's and before? The world food supply awaits the answer.

Download or listen to this Radio Ecoshock program:

 http://www.ecoshock.net/downloads/ES_140305_LoFi.mp3

Alex Smith
- Homepage: http://www.ecoshock.org