Why the Western Drought Will Have Major Ripple Effects | WSJ

Watering the Country's Food Basket Is Becoming a Challenge
Droughts are part of a natural cycle of water. But the drought currently gripping the Western U.S. has climate scientists concerned that the cycle may be shifting. This has major implications for those who rely on the water the most: farmers and the communities they surround. Photo Illustration: Carter McCall/WSJ
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#WSJ #Drought #Climate

[@casienwhey]

Hmmm, so we have a water shortage but are growing water intensive crops in the desert, raising cattle in the desert, have thousands of golf courses, outdoor water fountains and displays, thousands of swimming pools, grass lawns everywhere and yet we claim to have a shortage.

[@tedzimmerly]

grass lawns make the least sense. And I make 100% of my income in growing grass. Horrible for soil, requires fertilizer, water, pesticides, weekly mowing. Just think how much could be saved and improved with a natural lawn

[@LammySammy]

I could not have put it better myself!

[@sadlfjasdfacv]

Go after the golf and lawns first. Humans can't eat grass.

[@woodworksparadise6036]

Lol... golf courses , and industrial.park lawns are still green and mowed every week in the desert...

[@SteveWithers]

Yep. It's crazier now than ever, but it always was crazy to waste water on this scale. Worse, now that climate change is really starting to kick in.

[@Present-Tense]

Definition of astonishing optimism = growing rice in California.

[@ecpgieicg]

Cal rice tastes good though. Pls, Cali, keep that optimism --- from Canada

[@jeremypriest4062]

So, if/when Asia suffers from a rice shortage, what exactly would you suggest we feed US citizens? It always makes me laugh when people who are not almost or completley self sufficient comment on the US being self reliant.

[@conornorris6815]

I'm not disagreeing with you but you should know you can grow rice just fine without field flooding its just a common practice because it eliminated pests and grows faster

[@sfjava6239]

@@jeremypriest4062 Parts of Arkansas & Texas are growing rice too.

[@jackiepaper101]

They've been doing it for many decades and it worked out fine. Might have something to do with the drought, dontcha think?

[@dopeymark]

People should pay attention to the guy in Texas who planted native grasses and turned unlivable land into a paradise over a 20-year or 25-year period of time.

[@rustyshackleford5542]

Environmental restoration efforts have successes and failures, but we must address the underlying issues of climate change and land conversion.

[@BirdseyeVu]

Bingo!

[@TheRainHarvester]

Sounds interesting! Do you have a link? Or the guy's name?

[@danem9995]

@@TheRainHarvester kzbin.info/www/bejne/kISznJamfNKZoqc

[@brandonowen7547]

can be done in three months

[@timstorey7915]

It’s not a 2 year drought, it’s been a 20 year drought with a few periods of wetter weather, but not enough to overcome the drought. It’s just getting worse.

[@Baltic_Hammer6162]

The Bronze Age collapse is blamed largely on a 300 year drought in the eastern Mediterranean region. Hard to fathom a drought that long but it extinguished large powerful civilizations like the Hittites.

[@mae8646]

Desertification

[@comejesus5955]

READ YOUR BIBLES... SACRAMENTO RIVER THE SACRED RIVER

[@larsfridtjofnrheim1638]

CA got 85,9 m acre foot, Coloumbia river dumps 191,3 m foot into The Pasific every year. Move 10% off this water. Make a 365m long tunnel to Red Bluff. NV, AZ, Mexico can then keep Colorado water.

[@nicolatesla5786]

@@Baltic_Hammer6162 can you prove it? Find some university that has some PaleoClimotology papers on the subject. I have 800,000 years of co2 records that might show otheriwse!

[@jaredbasaraba8415]

You're growing RICE in a desert, maybe that might be the problem.

[@davidt3956]

@Troy Kitchens No, it's a desert because it's high desert in the Central Valley. The dams don't change that, they're actually used to grow rice in the high desert or to send it south to grow oranges in the desert.

[@jaredbasaraba8415]

In order to grow rice you need large amounts of water. A desert does not have large amounts of water. The water they use comes from irrigation. That water comes from reservoirs like say Lake Mead. 70% of all water is used for agriculture, crops like rice, almonds, and everything else they grow in the desert. Therefore you have a water problem because of poor crop selection. Rice should not be grown in the desert.

[@yellowbird5411]

@@jaredbasaraba8415 Rice can be grown as a dry crop. We planted it in water to control weeds. But it doesn't do best in water.

[@jovenaldomingo1123]

Cities around the world is farming building homes streets roads hyways they r not farming planting trees forever stop farming crops u know drought conditions is coming

[@juanramirez2340]

So that proves what? They have been doing ir for decades, and it has never been like this.

[@JamesWest_III]

Soon people will start to realize that water, not money, gold, or any other materialistic thing, is the most important thing in life. Water is essential, water is life.

[@FSXgta]

The mass extinction has started

[@robertclark2240]

...Thales is at last reincarnated. Actually, I agree, sarcasm notwithstanding.

[@Andre-jp4yt]

No, lol, just no. there is plenty of water and it will always be there. those farmers ...they just use too much of water in a short time. They didn't plan ahead.

[@Daniel-tl2ln]

People already know that but no one cares until there is no more

[@attsealevel]

China's developed the world's largest water diversion system, moving water from the south (where's it's way over-abundant) to the north (where it's dry like our west). The US army corps of engineers coulda done the same thing, but they advised against it, plus the US needed all its money for all the wars it felt compelled to fight.

[@Whuditlooklike]

They stated at the beginning that this drought encompasses the entire American west... then spent the rest of the video talking only about farmers in California.

[@toomanyhobbies2011]

Farmers have had their water diverted to the cities. This is a purely political problem, not a climate thing.

[@stephaniezimmerman7725]

The rest of the west is just fly-over country.

[@andrefruth41]

the natural storage of water is actually mostly in forest debris where it is soaked up then released over time in small streams. The wildfires have burned most of that stuff away and so now the drought will be a lasting drought and it will cause much of that land to be uninhabitable.

[@RedStretchLimo]

@@toomanyhobbies2011 "Their" water? Says who? They already get more than "their" share. Are the people in the cities and towns supposed to go without drinking water to keep crops alive where no crops were ever supposed to be? Not that the urban areas are guiltless. Last time I was in the LA region they were building thousands of track houses and condos with no thought as to where the water for all those homes would come from. Truly we are our own worst enemies.

[@comejesus5955]

SACRAMENTO RIVER THE SACRED RIVER... READ YOUR BIBLES

[@Ask-a-Rocket-Scientist]

They should not be growing rice or alfalfa out west. It’s nuts.

[@1219611a]

They also grow nuts....

[@stephaniezimmerman7725]

Some areas of the west grow the highest quality alfalfa in the world. High protein.

[@vidyagaems4063]

B-but beef! It's literally communism not to waste tons of water to raise animals as the most inefficient source of food possible!

[@Ask-a-Rocket-Scientist]

@@stephaniezimmerman7725 Exactly, and its the most water hungry crop there is.

[@rockridgefarms]

@@stephaniezimmerman7725 agreed, but totally unsustainable

[@boathemian7694]

I’m from Louisiana, rice grows well there. Appropriate crop selection is crucial, and not that complicated.

[@gsxrsquid]

yeah because you have lots of water. California is desert.

[@jennifertarin4707]

it also grows well in South Carolina

[@gsxrsquid]

@@jennifertarin4707 and Missouri. Unfortunately I notice that mosquitoes seem to hang around rice fields as well.

[@Celiktaban]

@@gsxrsquid if California is a desert you shouldn't plant rice or almonds. Non-native produce and plants literally caused the draught in Cali.

[@gsxrsquid]

@@Celiktaban I agree.

[@Rugopoly]

No offense to the farmers, but a lot of California farms are unsustainable in a changing climate. I’m from the Prairies in Canada and what I see farmers doing here in California is unbelievable to me.

[@saahiliyer11]

They get preference in water rights

[@theGoogol]

I'm Dutch and it's indeed unbelievably wasteful how farming is done in the US.

[@Wordsalad69420]

Don't tell that to the vegans. If they don't get their almond milk, they're going to lose their minds. Never mind that almonds are incredibly water demanding for what they offer.

[@ashleyhill6697]

@@Wordsalad69420 If almonds grow on trees it could take decades to grow new ones. Maybe they should be saved instead of hayfields.

[@ashleyhill6697]

@Rick Christopher ok maybe. I like nuts and walnut trees grow on my land naturally. I've never had to water them and I'd hate it if they died more than any other tree.

[@32stevo]

greedy farmers growing the most water demanding plants like rice and almonds in a drought....

[@thezfunk]

Not just a drought...in a semi arid climate. The fact they can't farm without irrigation at all is a red flag.

[@jegsh4299]

Beef cattle consume dozens of times more water per calorie than rice or almonds. Greedy carnism is killing the planet

[@jonathanwhite3507]

@@jegsh4299 hahahahaha no, it's not the diet, it's the corporate farmers. Thank bill gates.

[@blakekucher6020]

@@jegsh4299 well for most cattle farmers that use pastures they can't grow grain due to soil conditions. cattle are better for the environment. (methane emissions from cattle are bloated)

[@Drew-fu8fc]

Greedy? You work and consume as well, not really fair to blame the farmers for makings living

[@apexone5502]

You can literally see wild rice growing in the marshy areas in southeast GA where old rice plantations used to be. That state, or any other state with high levels of rain, could've been used for rice. Why are we farming rice in an arid place such as southern California?

[@apexone5502]

@@alstewart1186 man, I can see those Mediterranean type of crops such as grapes and olives but excessively thirsty crops like rice and almonds make absolutely no sense being grown in dry places. If never made sense to me, years ago, and the current drought out west only strengthens my belief.

[@rockridgefarms]

because the water was sold to the farmers at very cheap rates

[@justin1730]

Disease and pest pressure are the reason. There is very little pest or disease in the desert. The climate is also very predictable. These factors make it extremely attractive to corporations that want to maximize profits, and have no connection to the land. Even if crops only fail 1 year in 20, that represents a 5% loss of revenue. What is 5% of a multi $billion industry? Big losses.

[@apexone5502]

@@justin1730 I feel your breakdown and in one sense their reasons seems justifiable. The problem with their reasoning, however, is that it shows a short term way of seeing things. Their vision was blinded by profit because even with all of those advantages, the disadvantage when it comes to potential water issues is a huge one. At least pestilence and blight can be fought against. It's hard to conjure up water when there's little to none of it available. That arid location still doesn't make sense when you factor in the possibility of not having enough water. The fact that they had to channel in water from hundreds of miles strengthens the notion that planting excessively thirsty crops in that region isn't a smart move. I can see crops that naturally do well in arid and semiarid environments but something like rice, which practically lives in water, should've been a definite no-no.

[@gavloft]

Poor relationships with china

[@rogerwilco2]

Over here in the Netherlands, we have had to manage water for centuries. We have governing bodies going back to the Middle Ages. It is a completely independent government, not related to local, state or national government but based on watersheds. It is essential to manage water long term and with the needs of everyone in mind. This is a project for decades and centuries. I really worry how easy it is in the USA to do long term damage to serve short term interests.

[@timpeterson2738]

Geographic possition is apples to rocks no comparison.

[@posttenebras2812]

@@timpeterson2738 Political application of water management to a problem of water governance, infrastructure, management is actually apples to apples.

[@DharmaPunk111]

Netherlands is a good example for what other countries should be doing with farming. The netherlands has very modern and advanced farming techniques such as indoor hydro and aeroponic farms. The US doesn't do any of this and the ones that do exist are few and far between acting as experimental farms... These modern and more advanced farming techniques save 90% of the water used in agriculture and agriculture industries tend to use most of the water of a country, usually around 80% (this applies to countries that have not upgraded their farming systems) depending on how agricultural intensive the country is, the US being one of those intensive countries.

[@hoviksmail]

It's mostly political corruption and incompetence. The water issue is just one thing of many things the California government is failing at. Our Governor is a complete idiot, he's Nancy Pelosi's Nephew and got the job because of family ties not because of any actual substance. Democrats have completely mismanaged California. All the money that should be going to infrastructure goes to give illegals free healthcare, housing. Food, education and of course the Politicians skim some off the top. If we had competent leadership this wouldn't be an issue.

[@gtrance3567]

Unfortunately here “regulation” has become an evil word.

[@kenhunt5153]

"You better rethink what you are planting," that's it, really. Rice in CA makes as much sense as growing alfalfa in my State of Utah. Any farmer using flood irrigation or even center pivot will be out of business in the West within 5 years even with using fossil water from a well. A well is a race to the bottom. Row crops via drip is the only option or nut crops like pistachios which require little water. If what you are doing is not working why do you keep doing the same thing?

[@danielsoeller]

5:00 she said it herself XD

[@eyasulegesse6208]

arrogance pure hubris

[@cageybee7221]

or agave, it's native to the desert. no special water needs at all, and they can make it into tequila. everyone wins las vegas is only one state over.

[@timothyletwin5911]

Well said.

[@Penny_Pincher_Outdoors]

California sucks resources (water) to grow things not native, they want a piece of every pie. But the inefficiency of it costs the taxpayers and the neighboring states a precious resource.

[@climatedeceptionnetwork4122]

Growing rice in that environment is ecologically insane!

[@edheubel4991]

You can't grow almonds, pistachios and asparagus either .... Because Climate Change / mega drought...

[@matthewweisenburger2095]

Somehow I don’t think it takes a genius to know that building cities and farms in the desert is a bad idea

[@andysmith5997]

These days it does. And golf courses

[@theodorebear6714]

It would be a good idea if vegetation and sustainability was the goal instead of importing and wasting water. Look at the bellagio in Las Vegas. Literally blasting water into the air for a show.

[@CelesteAHall]

Someone should tell Las Vegas about the risk of running out of water ... the fountains and golf courses ... oh my

[@soumilyarlagadda9764]

California isnt a desert

[@javacup7579]

when the last tree has been felled and the last river polluted, humans will realize that they can't eat money.

[@ut000bs]

…but someone will always come and paste this.

[@gunnyhighway8415]

Blaming All humans? When it’s corporations and governments that are responsible...

[@johnwang9914]

Well, US paper money are still a cotton byproduct so it can still be processed into a barely edible product, in truth even the plastic of other country's money, could be processed to be edible and indeed processing plastic bottles into vanilla extracts is now being proposed. This is of course pedantic and not to counter your point but technically we could in fact eat money so far, the eventual digital money will of course be completely inedible.

[@johnqpublic7191]

But think of how much money that last tree could sell for. 🤑 💰 💵

[@squeaky2384]

@@johnwang9914 perfect response, we all cope in our own unique way so more power to ya

[@smallstudiodesign]

This isn’t a story about a water shortage … it’s a story about water mismanagement.

[@Dee-cn1et]

It is also a story of water shortage, the snow or rainfall is greatly reduced.

[@smallstudiodesign]

@@Dee-cn1et So you’re furthering my point just like you should financially plan for shortfalls in a fiscal period* … the same goes for planning for extreme weather and climate change trends …hence it’s totally *water mismanagement* ||>> ______ *don’t spend your money recklessly if your career prospects are looking rough. Believe me … these regional politicians & other corrupt officials should be incarcerated.

[@smallstudiodesign]

@@Dee-cn1et the woman growing rice in the desert and snivelling needs to see a shrink. She’s nuts.

[@dustyhedger380]

Practices that follow profit margins rather than geographical patterns should not be subsidized . Right Del Monte ?

[@THESPATHARIOS]

Rather should not exist period

[@firedog451]

So 90 percent is agriculture so they should follow Science and move to wet areas, right?

[@cherilopez5967]

Use hydroponics

[@lilbtyt7928]

Yeah ca grows so many nuts and crops that use too much of our water.

[@firedog451]

@@lilbtyt7928 yes the do.... Tons of fruitcakes as well.. ....

[@justinfowler2857]

Considering that most farmers out west waste tremendous amounts of water to keep water rights it's hard to feel sorry for big agriculture.

[@5455jm]

and then there is the greening of Las Vegas; a desert. How ridiculous.

[@firedog451]

@@5455jm I did a study about how water is used there. I was surprised, only 6 percent of the water leaving Lake Mead is used by vegas. The rest is used by California and Arizona and the biggest part of those two is for agriculture. Vegas is also huge in recycling water and cutting out grass and water heavy landscaping. flood irrigation is the biggest culprit of wasting water and many farmers are still doing it

[@justinfowler2857]

@@firedog451 The water rights need to be fixed so people don't waste water just to keep getting the same amount next year. If you want to live or grow in the desert you need to carefully manage water use.

[@firedog451]

@@justinfowler2857 Exactly, That’s what they did in the middle east. They we’re running out and the farming industry changed. It’s not the average person, we can help a small fraction but that’s it. Agriculture uses the water.

[@YourMom-vl2sp]

Farmers complaining there's no water when they had always flooded the fields instead of using more efficient methods.

[@yusufhanif3704]

Do American farmers actually practice flood irrigation? That seems very primitive -- don't we have more advanced systems in place like drip irrigation?

[@organizedchaos4559]

@@yusufhanif3704 no because they cause more and resources use to be plentiful so they just do the most basic method like sprinklers and flooding the field

[@yusufhanif3704]

@@julm7744 No wonder California has a freshwater crisis. Access to clean and plentiful water is a frighteningly underlooked issue in our society and survival as a country.

[@Krasnoye158]

rice fields have to be flooded. That's the only way to cultivate this type of grass

[@ryanvess6162]

@@yusufhanif3704 yeah you obviously don't know how rice is farmed. A flooded field for most crops in the US means a dead crop

[@AutismFamilyChannel]

Almost seems like we will repeat the 1920's and 30's. Wondering if we will have a dust bowl era.

[@fudhater8592]

This is different. The dust bowl lasted a few years and was mostly due to poor farming practices which sped up erosion. What's happening today is going to have decades and possibly centuries-long ramifications.

[@mshindiwataji]

There was a dust storm that reached America in June of 2020 from Africa. There have been smaller ones since. I won't say these are the end times of the Earth. I will say it is time to end below poverty wages as even a thought. These "plagues" are a result of "slave" conditions for workforces-just as we read about in Exodus. Costs of living have been high in California for years, wages often times are not enough. Remember the locusts? The fires and tornadoes? Drought? Famine? Homelessness? All that is spoken in Exodus and has to do with the treatment of His people.

[@majmage]

​@@mshindiwataji _Stephanie, when we observed reality, what did we see:_ _1. We've observed that greenhouse gases increase temperature._ Fill two 2-liter bottles halfway with water with a thermometer inside. Put greenhouse gases in one. Allow the two to sit outside in the sun and observe which heats faster. _The one with greenhouse gases does._ _2. We've observed that human activity is responsible for considerable increase to greenhouse gases._ CO2, methane from cows, there are a lot of specific sources for these gases that we're ultimately responsible for. _3. We've observed the freezing point of water._ _4. We've observed that this part of the world's water cycle depends on snow vs. rain in order to avoid droughts._ These are the real, actual, _observed_ reasons for what we're seeing. So it's _completely irresponsible_ for you to blame this on "slave conditions". We can both agree that it's awful when unregulated capitalism causes slave-like conditions _without having to outright lie_ and pretend that those conditions are what causes droughts. You're old enough to know better than that. It's also irresponsible to pretend that the "end times" of the Bible depicts things that weren't already happening throughout all of human history. The day those verses were written, those vague fear-mongering statements were already vaguely true (just as vaguely true as they are today). You're old enough to know this, and to know better than to take those verses seriously.

[@mshindiwataji]

@@majmage NOT IRRESPONSIBLE AT ALL, merely speaking TRUTH. This has nothing to do with the "end times" as many predict. This has to do with the ongoing problem of America, particularly people in past leadership not accepting the fact that we occupy and tend a land that is Gods. We tend it for His plan and purpose. Yes, climate change is a problem and also needs to be addressed, but these particular issues are regarding the poverty taking place. We are not to fault the current administration, for Pres. Biden is moving forth in more effective ways to address the climate change, but as President Biden, Sen Sanders and countless others have addressed workforces do need to be tended as well. This is why we are seeing the SAME "plagues" again. Within one century. The same ones from last time. Republicans have played a major part in that, in votes in House and Senate. They need to change their perspective. And California leadership, needs to address what they can and see to it that their people and state are tended to. Thats is what the Lord is saying. God will send the needed rain. We all know He will. He will send enough rain to fill every lake and put out every fire. But He wants to see our leadership put "FAITH in Him, to work". President Biden and House and Senate Dems are doing JUST THAT. Where is state leadership?

[@charlieharper8477]

With all the homeless, it would be a trash bowl

[@soisaidtogod4248]

They have ignored the warning signs for multi decades, reap what you sow.

[@justinarchuleta8010]

We need an Alaskan pipeline I’m going to build it

[@RBAWintrow]

They are legally forbidden from using the words "climate change". Welcome to the U.S.

[@jaymanuel3396]

I feel awful for the kids. It’s going to be a scary future.

[@backyardinbloom575]

Such a kind response and to think people like you were all too happy to eat all the produce and products these farmers have grown all these years, perhaps now you will reap what you have just sown.

[@paulmccarter908]

What do you mean, "they"m 40% of America's produce is grown in CA, that means you and every other American in these comments grew up eating CA produce.. it's all connected

[@holboroman]

This drought cannot have a ripple effect if there is no water!

[@_robustus_]

Heh heh……I see what you did there.

[@Alusnovalotus]

There have been red flags happening since the late 70’s on how badly water is used in my home state. You can even see it in how old the distribution pipes are. There needs to be rationing and seriously, RICE 🌾?! Farmers also need to see what other drought resistant grains grow better in California’s natural ecosystems than just grow whatever sells highest (China). Quinoa, barley, sorghum, lentils. All are hardy and nutritious grains. The farms have to start changing their economic goals to something more practical and sustainable.

[@-cheshire-cat]

"We're in the early parts of figuring out how to do that management.. we don't really have any of those mechanisms in place yet.." You had like what, 30 years? The Colorado river's lost 53 million acres of water just in the last 10 years. Was that not enough warning? I guess you'll just leave this problem for your children to figure out, when it's completely dry.

[@mr.anderson2793]

Hes talking about how to manage how much ground water people are using. Going to try and put a meter on people’s wells.

[@kmc9452]

Thanks for this comment ! Yep. True.

[@bradleypoole4809]

They do have some desalination plants in the works and the president needed to sign a bill to have a certain River just running in the ocean without use. Now Southern California, Nevada, Arizona and New Mexico uses the Colorado River. Now I came up with a idea to create a small River or aqueduct from Mississippi River to Arizona. Now there's a little down size and more upside then anything. Create more farm land make new ecosystems. Plant thousands of trees. Help out with wild fire's and other things.

[@antiheroes7972]

@@bradleypoole4809 so your solution is to destroy ecosystems in river deltas and pipe water to states that have proven they won't take steps to store or preserve water resources

[@bradleypoole4809]

@@antiheroes7972 they wouldn't need to store

[@RaulHernandez-xo4ie]

Do we want golf courses... or do we want to eat fresh fruits and vegetables.

[@Zoebelle1369]

Golf courses.

[@gerald4027]

The fruits and nuts are down town if you are a cannibal.

[@valsanchez5562]

This guy said cannibal I can't make this up

[@christophercarrigg3775]

Golf courses

[@firedog451]

it’s ridiculous to even mention golf courses, The biggest culprit of wasting water is flooding irrigation. Allot farmers are still doing it

[@ninjanerdstudent6937]

Growing rice in the desert, brilliant idea!

[@cislordsoyblue1349]

5 year's supply of water last year, every bit of it went down the drain.

[@barrysnow6993]

Blame the California politicians for selling it to Nestlé. ....

[@skygge1006]

The major problem is what they are farming in the west

[@alvatoredimarco]

@@skygge1006 Take a look at how much water Nestle is pumping and say that it's not a contributing factor. Especially when you look at other places Nestle is pumping water that **aren't** in the west that have undergone dramatic changes much too quickly to blame on nature.

[@MrJturner74]

Thank Nestle, I am sure the billions of gallons of water you have extracted had nothing to do with this.

[@jmatt98]

That water could be used to grow rice instead of drinking 🤔

[@MrJturner74]

@@jmatt98 or it could still be in the eco system.

[@MrInnovativeEnergy]

They were told 15 years ago, "You must start to desalinate water to keep this state alive long term"..............

[@musk-eteer9898]

i live in a non-association upscale neighborhood, central valley california. most of my neighbor water their lawn 3-5 times a day. Last year, i was planning to covert my yard to a nice desert landscape and take out my grass. one of them across the street threaten to sue me if i do, being a non confrontational person i put my grass back and hope until the day the local government to mandate NO more grass. landscape grasses are useless commodity, only the slave owners would be proudly to display them.

[@mr.wilson8340]

I agree with your neighbor. I didn’t lay out a ton of money for my home just to look at ugly desert landscape across the street. Xeriscape is hideous and makes a nice neighborhood look terrible. I live in an upscale neighborhood for a reason. Nice, well kept homes.

[@mikestaihr5183]

Run the risk of overdrawing???? They've been doing that for decades!!!!

[@robthomas5827]

The Boomers still have blinders on.

[@mikestaihr5183]

@@robthomas5827 This sort of thinking started long before "Boomers."

[@dcbernman]

The whole country has. People here acting like Californians are frivolous farmers when the entire country’s farming infrastructure is teetering on the edge of disaster.

[@deek0146]

California has been measurably sinking for 100 years. Here's hoping the whole state sinks in the ocean soon.

[@mikestaihr5183]

@@deek0146 Bigot much? Let's hope the entire Oglalla Aquifer region collapses and takes Texas and the rest of them with it.

[@IanHaywardCalvados]

I am always astonished when I see overhead sprinkler irrigation taking place during the day, under a hot sun. 80% of that water evaporates immediately. If irrigate you must, do it at night. In the UK, ground water is subject to abstraction licenses, which have limits and are metered - you pay for every drop you use - and in times of depleted groundwater your quantities are restricted. And it pisses with rain here all year round!

[@danamartin8676]

They about emptied Shasta Dam a few years ago, afraid of it overflowing, predicting a rainy year. Now after all that water got pumped out, its called a drought.

[@dangolfishin]

I spent some time in pecan country in New Mexico. They were undergoing about 25 years of drought at the time. The orchards are kept in standing water in the middle of the desert! There are absolutely no trees naturally occurring in the area for a reason.

[@johncrocker4209]

I live in north west GA. Pecans grow here like weeds. It takes years for a tree to mature but its not hard to spot where they belong.

[@kfl611]

@@johncrocker4209 When I lived in NC we had a huge pecan tree in the yard, it must have been 60 feet tall. We had more pecans than what we knew to do with. We also got enough rain in the year to support the trees and farms and community.

[@apexone5502]

@@johncrocker4209 it's the same all over GA. I'm originally from southeast GA and my grandmother had 2 pecan trees in the yard and there was another one on the field next to her home. Technically, I've seen pecan trees all over the deep south. They're a dime a dozen in this region.

[@richardlinares6314]

3:30 WHY TF ARE YOU GROWING A WATER INTENSIVE CROP LIKE RICE IN THE DESERT?!!!

[@AnujSang]

Man: as you know you cannot continually withdraw money from your bank account if you dont put anything back in. US FED: hold my deficit

[@nibiruresearch]

If we spent only 10% of the defense budget on developing seawater desalination and building freshwater infrastructure, we could continue to grow food and have enough drinking water. In addition, wastewater can be reused quite easily for multiple purposes.

[@grapher10000]

Haha how about trying to grow native trees , drought resistant , soil rejuvenation to hold more moisture . I know it's hard because it would be new but it's worth a try , especially with 1000+ acres

[@SuperSayianMessi10]

Nope. California foolishly wastes a lot of water. Here in Las Vegas, we’re taught to conserve our water yet California wastes a lot of water.

[@clavo3352]

Even if they just broke up the evaporation plain by planting rows of trees they could still grow their crops.

[@yellowbird5411]

How about drip irrigation instead of those obscene water sprinklers throwing water into the air? How about intensive mulching, enhanced by all the new charcoal from the burned forests? How about planting native trees throughout the planting area to help shade the ground, and machine harvest around them. How about smaller plots so expensive machinery doesn't lock us in to one kind of farming? Our farming techniques need to be modified, and our soils need to stop being raped.

[@AldousHuxley7]

Organic no till. Drip irrigation. End geoengineering.

[@PS-zw4yc]

Great idea. Except for the hundreds of millions of mouths to feed

[@MrGonetopot]

Watering your lawn whilst living in a desert might be good indicator why you have no water.

[@perrywidhalm114]

Amen!

[@soconnoriv]

Everyday, I watch houses in every neighborhood wasting hundreds of gallons to water their lawn. It's so vastly innefficient too. The irrigation systems that came with these houses are poorly metered, and it's normal to see streams of excess lawn water running down the sides of the streets and right into the storm drains. Having lawn is over-rated anyways. People in CA need to take a page from the books of Nevada and Arizona residents. Instead of having useless grass, they have decorative cacti and other succlents in their yards, which can grow fruit in low-water conditions. Way better than having grass that never gets used.

[@unholyrevenger72]

Suburbs are a mistake

[@derekbuck2369]

That must make the cities inside the suburbs an even worse mistake

[@paladinsmith7050]

The main reason you missed is deforestation in south America, look at how the Jetstream's pull moisture into the north and northwest. Without the rainforests you're missing out on a lot of rain.

[@shadowspark]

Agreed. South America is intimidating to tackle because it’s mired in political conflict and violence. But, that just makes the problem more urgent. As violence and corruption gets more embedded into society, destruction of natural resources will only escalate.

[@roninbadger7750]

the main contributor to that deforestation is Western consumerism. whether it be Chocolate, Cattle, palm oil, you name the crop that they cut for over the last century and it links back to low cost food production in the 1st world. Palm oil is one of the biggest currently and its in EVERYTHING.

[@ka-md8ue]

Can you explain how that works? Because I thought forests keep more water/moisture in themselves, instead of giving it to go to atmosphere

[@rafenatho5406]

So, was that the case in 76 and 77? The west experienced the same conditions then. Don't think the rain forest was all cut down then. It's weather and that's just what it does from time to time.

[@m0ntheg3rs]

@@ka-md8ue it varies depending on the agenda and the narrative yoi are pushing duh

[@jchacho6335]

Why are you trying to grow rice in a drought? That’s just not thoughtful farming.

[@kirstencampbell2593]

Doesn’t rice grow in water? Why would grow rice in states that naturally dry?

[@kylealexander7024]

Theres over 20k species of rice. They dont all grow like every other. Stop paying for better rice and problem solved

[@daviddavid5880]

Like its easy to just trade all your equipment at a loss and retool and refinance? When it rains you'll just buy all-new equipment again? Real easy when you're sitting at a desk a thousand miles away, right? Farming is so easy when you're not a farmer...

[@kirstencampbell2593]

@@daviddavid5880 couldn’t they buy water in them big tubs for now, and look for more drought tolerant seeds to grow like beans. If they are true farmers they don’t play victims. They come with solution. Farmers are a suborn lots.

[@daviddavid5880]

@@kirstencampbell2593 You being a farmer, you'd know best.

[@Doobz702]

Every year is the same. Everyday people are told to watch their water usage, while farmers are allowed to run giant irrigation sprinklers 24/7. It's about time farming is brought into the 21st century, beyond fancy gadgets on a tractor.

[@Wintersmith12]

Your lawn doesn't stock grocery stores. Farms need water more than spoiled middle class housing developments do. And what makes you think farmers aren't moving with the times? Do you think someone can wave an iphone at a field and have crops magically grow in it?

[@zackscott8636]

@Mike Hunt You got something you want to get off your chest ?

[@mar504]

@@Wintersmith12 Or maybe we should stop growing crops that need tremendous amounts of water in drought areas, what a concept.

[@yellowbird5411]

@@alexanderdvanbalderen9803 Drip irrigation is the cheapest, most water-conserving method of open farming. That, and deep mulch when applicable. Yes, Israel has turned desert into farms, and it is the driest place on earth. YT has videos on it.

[@GeeROO]

@@yellowbird5411 Drip Irrigation is the most expensive form of irrigation

[@Elliott_Elliott]

I can't believe they grow rice in California, just shows how wasteful the agricultural industry handles water...

[@shark2v]

We had plenty of water, but this bastards dumped it to the sea, this is an engineered drought, better get your canned food and water, because this is going to be global,not just in california.

[@danielcarroll3358]

The northern part of the Sacramento Valley was swampland. They grow lots of rice there and usually there is plenty of water. This discussion is about the drought. Lots of people are going to have to adjust to global climate change, whether it is freezes (Hello Texas!) or hurricanes (Hello whole southeast) or tornadoes ( Hello tornado alley!) or sea level rise (Sorry Florida and Louisiana). Denying it doesn't mean you don't have to live with it. And you can't generalize about California. The southern end is at the latitude of Morocco and the northern end just north of the southern tip of Canada. Check it out.

[@Elliott_Elliott]

@@shark2v I tend to agree, but the need to use water more as a precious resource is now more clear then ever. Well in the meantime we have floodings here in Germany, also bad for crops :/

[@shark2v]

@@danielcarroll3358 we have too many corrupt leaders in California,water was dumped to the sea, we had enough water for 5 years in 2019, now we're in a engineered drought and people are going to pay because of those bastards, and there's no climate change, if the government tells you that, they're lying,learn something from history.

[@arturogomeztagle9250]

2 words. Golf courses. 1 more: lawns.

[@fishmonger6879]

This Lady Farmer is something! There are parts of Cali that have sunk 10 feet because of them pumping all the groundwater.

[@kiskafish7877]

And if she grows rice on 1100 acres in the traditional flooding method, then there is a huge waste of water.

[@racketyjack7621]

Consider what Tucson does. The water it gets from the Colorado goes underground to replenish the aquifer. When it is brought back up, it has been filtered by the sand underground, cooled, and freshened. This also eliminates evaporation.

[@NeilSchloth]

Maybe try growing crops in areas that aren’t prone to drought?

[@shark2v]

Maybe if california didn't dumped the water to the sea and engineered this drought all would be normal.

[@robthomas5827]

Most of the best farm land is covered by shopping malls and big box store parking lots now.

[@jovenaldomingo1123]

Cities around the world is farming building homes streets roads hyways they r not farming planting trees forever stop farming crops u know drought conditions is coming

[@satouhikou1103]

@@robthomas5827 Proof?

[@marc-andreservant201]

Or at least, don't choose rice!

[@garygsp3]

Growing rice one of the most water thirsty crops in a desert. That is the mark of true brilliance right there. Look don't come crying to me about lack of water when you're doing something dumb.

[@hectorcardenas2171]

You eat rice year round, right? 🙄

[@liamjohnson2474]

Growing racing a desert would have been considered impossible a thousand years ago so actually yeah it is pretty smart. Do you know who the stupid people are? The ones that deny climate change in the first place causing the drought.

[@micunterman9932]

we do dry farming out of preference. it means you can control far more variables and not worry as much about fungus or even product drying post harvest.

[@edwardmyers675]

Crazy that thousands more wells are being used to pump water to grow crops in places you could never grow before. Now they say it doesn’t effect the water levels in lakes.

[@smeff099]

I refuse to feel anything for someone growing rice in the desert. Learn one thing about rice and you'll know why.

[@ratwithahat2]

There are varieties of rice that are not wetland plants. They also end up being lower in heavy metals due to being in oxygen-rich conditions rather than reducing (waterlogged) conditions you find in the wetland rice varieties.

[@seneca983]

At least in Asia, rice is often grown in patties that are flooded with water. However, rice doesn't actually need that much water. The reason the patties are flooded is that rice can withstand it but many weeds cannot so it increases yields by keeping weeds in check.

[@FrancisFenderson]

I’ve grown rice on the east coast on land that previously grew corn and soybean and there are small farmers from Florida to Maine doing the same. Rice grows very well on upland farms and doesn’t need to be submerged in water like you often see in Asian countries. Maybe learn about rice production before commenting next time?

[@jeauxd71]

I can fix the drought problem. Every time I wash my truck it rains for a month straight.

[@amineaiffa]

Michael Burry probably making huge gains on his holdings of water.

[@redmule8621]

This went way over most people's heads sadly

[@jovenaldomingo1123]

Cities around the world is farming building homes streets roads hyways they r not farming planting trees forever stop farming crops u know drought conditions is coming

[@getchasome6230]

Is that the guy who bought the water tower?

[@ipodtouchfreak100]

Yep

[@halfnelson6115]

When you build farms in a desert this was bound to happen. One doesn't need to be a genius to figure that out.

[@Ultralightaman]

At lot of US farming is not doing right. The aqueducts used in the Midwest could dry up.

[@horsefly1020]

Doesn't dry up in the Southeast.

[@armaniwebb4467]

@@horsefly1020 give it a few more years

[@thomasjohnson7990]

Agreed. When a video starts with a map showing NM, AZ and NV in a state of serious drought they are clearly just trying to fear monger. Those 3 states in particular have been in a state of serious drought since before recorded history, part of being a desert.

[@NecromanSir]

@@thomasjohnson7990 Yeah since they eliminated the buffalo and the ecosystem with it.

[@Baronstone]

Stop wasting water by growing food in the desert, PROBLEM SOLVED!

[@_Coffee4Closers]

Since when is California a desert?

[@bobbybouche154]

Would it be a drought if millions of people didn't live in a desert and try to convert it to a tropical place

[@AldousHuxley7]

Look up Dane Wigington. Artificial drought.

[@antred11]

@@AldousHuxley7 Oh BS.

[@AldousHuxley7]

@@antred11 Eyes to the skies.

[@NecromanSir]

Conversion to lush fertile land can be done easily, but not through conventional agriculture. Simple: create humus. might be interesting to you to watch kiss the Ground.

[@benjaminsorensen9334]

Of course it would. A drought is a period when the average amount of moisture decreases significantly. Now, would the drought be a problem if there weren't a bunch of people trying to pretend they don't live in a desert? Probably not as much.

[@mysoneffa2417]

Insane, stupid & wasteful to grow Rice in the desert. Rice should be grown in the Bayous not the desert. Corn should not be grown in the Bayous but in the desert, with a preference to ancient desert tolerant strains.

[@jahneychriast2141]

Rice belong to South Asia. Let your greed finish you!!

[@gregoryeverson741]

@@jahneychriast2141 its not us, we tell them no, but money talks

[@wtf_usa5597]

CONCLUSION: Trying to farm in a DESERT is not smart. 🤔

[@jawstheproducer1593]

Maybe olives, seems feasible. But rice!? C’mon lady, you’re clearly aware of the drought now, quit trying to grow that.... in a desert 👍🤣

[@firedog451]

Right, follow the Science and where the water is, one thing you can’t change is the amount of water on the planet.

[@Mike__B]

@@jawstheproducer1593 Yup, rice grows ideally in marshy/wet soil, Colusa, California ain't that by any stretch of the imagination, what she showed now is the norm for what their soil is. Rice farming there involves flooding the fields and turning an arid area into a marshy area. Which is EXTREMELY water wasteful, you can't drip irrigate rice like you can the "row crops" that she mentioned, and the cattle? Oh boy, talk about things that need water... but that largely depends where they get their feed from, if it comes from other states it's the equivalent of importing water, so may not contribute much to the drought problem

[@Mike__B]

@@firedog451 So all those Germans are stealing all the water?! (I know bad joke, I'm sorry)

[@firedog451]

@@Mike__B Ya, Utah stole some to

[@jerryrigsit5400]

Doesn't make sense to grow rice in a desert during historical drought conditions.

[@stephendean2896]

I am not a farmer but why would are they growing rice in California. Rice requires a wet cilmate, I think.

[@prasannp7]

The flooded rice paddies you're picturing is grown like that for pest control reasons.

[@jz5748]

grow rice in california?in asia they have monsoon season.perfect for rice.but in california?

[@dedesmith613]

Why aren't they growing rice in Louisiana swamp land instead of drought areas

[@stephaniezimmerman7725]

Rice doesn't actually grow well in swamp. Do a little research to learn more about how little water rice actually uses. (That sounds snotty but it's actually just a suggestion.)

[@mr.commonense8177]

Remember, they are trying to grow Rice in the desert.

[@scasey1960]

Just think - this is a mild drought compared to droughts in the decades ahead.

[@Jerubarbaruah]

@@bspr9062 Commercial agriculture needs to change. It may have been hugely profitable to concentrate growing in California just for all the efficiencies it created, but it's too hard on the land. We need to go back to growing our food stuffs locally. Perhaps even go further and stop growing for export as well.

[@upset_applecart8756]

I had a job that took me through a lot of areas in CA that were, and still are, in a severe drought. I have no sympathy for anyone in the state when it comes to the water situation. You have rich communities watering lawns, parks, and golf courses between the hours of 11AM and 3PM using automated sprinkler systems. I saw farmers complaining about their rice, grape, and other water intensive crops not getting enough water. It makes me sick.

[@harshapydala5418]

She is proud farmer growing rice in desert and complaining about water scarcity

[@firedog451]

The biggest culprit of wasting water is flood irrigation and many farmers in California are still doing it

[@theother1281]

The hubris of growing rice in a semi-arid environment is exceptional. This is what happens when you think nature is there for your convenience. If they had stuck to what the snowmelt provided they would have the groundwater reserves to see them through droughts; but they wanted more and overexploited the groundwater as well in order to chase bigger profits. You make your bed...

[@gregoryeverson741]

backyard pools are a waste

[@bobweiram6321]

She compares not having water enough for her farm on the same level as city dwellers not having enough drinking water? Talk about selfishness and greed!

[@meawwow]

Whotf plants Rice in semi arid areas? Just why?!

[@nightshade8958]

to make money

[@jeremypriest4062]

Name a better spot. Then, purchase that land and figure out how to make it run efficiently. My bet? You are not a farmer.

[@ioodyssey3740]

@@jeremypriest4062 No doubt. You're not a farmer. No doubt. You don't know schitt!

[@craigkeller]

Dry land rice is a variety.

[@nonyadamnbusiness9887]

@@jeremypriest4062 Arkansas Louisiana and Mississippi along the Mississippi and Red rivers.

[@Mike80528]

California has *already* over-drawn from groundwater. The central valley has sunken well over a foot...a couple of feet in some areas and some towns are completely dry.

[@burn1gotbeats]

I’m starting to have a new found respect for farmers ✊🏿.

[@trailcampers]

Who's that Mr.Obvious "25% loss of crop is equal to 25% pay cut in jobs" 🙄 ya, like I thought the farmer just loses few trees or something and nothing else 🙄

[@angelmatos9143]

No water, no life. What is it the politicians don't get?

[@Snowcat-rg7bz]

And that's why I am staying in the Adirondacks. It may get cold in the winter, but there's plenty of water.

[@elasmotherium12]

The US not only has woefully inadequate water infrastructure, but Americans just don’t respect or care for water. Having grown up in Israel, which until recently had always had water issues and shortages, we were taught that water is a precious resource and that we must use it sparingly and efficiently. The complete disregard for how precious water really is among Americans has been really astounding for me to learn. I share their angst and worries at this severe drought, but I also hope it’ll teach you all a lesson and change the way you use water in the future.

[@unknownz1238]

RIP California production of fruits and vegetables But honest though I’m not a farmer but You really shouldn’t plant rice in that region

[@rustyshackleford2902]

Or data centers that need water cooling

[@munkynuttz]

Greenhouse vertical farming if they really wanted to. Take your profits and invest in that. Switch crops that adjust to lack of water. Goodbye almonds

[@Barskor1]

@@rustyshackleford2902 It is not like you throw the water away after using it in a data center.

[@bceiman1]

plant pistachios and dates

[@bl5752]

California needs to look at what they are doing in India to ensure rainwater makes it back into the aquifers rather than just washing away on the surface. They have come up with very cheap and effective solutions.

[@alainarchambault2331]

Could start by putting a lid on those aqueducts, to begin with.

[@TheFourthWinchester]

But not many are doing it in India. Even the local govts are not interested because its for long term and people have short term memories.

[@neilclark8087]

Not sure if India can serve as a positive example of natural resource management. India is one of the most polluted and wasteful country in the world

[@1Mhoram9]

Wonder if the prairie aquifers here in USA have been looking at those efforts in India. Hope so.

[@alainarchambault2331]

@@1Mhoram9 kzbin.info/www/bejne/bovac4agd8yAjsk Better be soon, only agra business can afford to stay in business.

[@randallstephens1680]

Rain water catchment, solar panels covering canals to prevent evaporation, watering roots instead of leaves to prevent evaporation, etc... There are lots of things that can be done, that aren't being done.

[@ghost321000]

Evaporation is a necessary part of the cycle, without it you could make the drought worse. They need to stop with the mismanagement of resources and allocate them to necessary parts of their infrastructure. If the drought becomes any worse the western US will be uninhabitable and that will then bring on the worst food shortage in history.

[@EagleSlightlyBetter]

Shocker. Who would have thought it would create problems to have land without a single tree as far as the eye could see?

[@pentachronic]

CA needs to mandate a drip water-feed system for all agricultural uses and gardening along with cities and urban landscaping. The amount of water wasted by spray systems it's ridiculous.

[@wernerhiemer406]

And they spray in the hot sun? Do they want't to moisten or to cool the air?

[@Dee-cn1et]

food has never been as cheap in human history, the problem is that cheap food is driven by growing in areas not really suited to food production long term.

[@TheHyena-ru8bz]

Farmers in central California know whats going on. Goverment is not building dams and are dumping the majority of water in the ocean.

[@woodthomas1]

Amazing that throughout this entire piece there is no mention of global warming.

[@drwho5437]

Explained in 3 seconds. The rain hasn't fallen like it has.

[@crackerjack3359]

I love Almonds but humanity does not NEED Almonds. They are a luxury item when there is not enuogh water, and they require so much. Like any other business farming is a risk business, it just got more risky and logic will say pull the Almond trees out

[@MrDanisve]

There are so many places on earth with an abundance of water.. Grow them there instead.. Florida would seem like a good option. Rain like everyday and a warm climate. Its modern economics that make people take illogical decisions. Cause the only logic they follow is money.

[@dmannevada5981]

If almonds can be grown in Florida, don't you think they would have been already? But then again, you probably think tomato fields are a good idea in Minneapolis in January

[@MrDanisve]

@@dmannevada5981 Get a clue. "Almond trees offer food to those who grow them. The almond tree, which grows well in warm areas, is suited to the Florida climate in general. ... North Florida does get a bit cooler, but all areas within the state will work as long as you plant at the proper time." www.hunker.com/13428776/how-to-grow-almond-trees-in-florida

[@N3ONLUV]

Almonds aren't the only thing we don't need...

[@jegsh4299]

This goes double for meat, milk, eggs etc. Raising animals to eat their flesh, lactations, and ovum wastes more water than literally any kind of plant agriculture.

[@pitts3219]

Relying on man made structures has its benefits and down sides. Mother Nature will always win!

[@frankbluestar9469]

Mother Nature is coming for them in her own special Way yah tah hay

[@judithsmith9582]

The Nebraska Ogallala aquifer is being pumped dry to irrigate crops. Because the aquifer is made of sandstone it is collapsing making it impossible to be recharged even if the rains come.

[@lesliecas2695]

These farmers have always had problems accessing water. Now, they just have bigger problems accessing water.

[@CreeperBomb6]

Imagine complaining about not having water when you live in a desert

[@mcross320]

It wasn't a desert when they moved there!

[@gregoryeverson741]

@@mcross320 finally some1 that knows history

[@FragEightyfive]

@@mcross320 Is it really that recent in the areas with water shortages? It def does not seem sustainable the last decade or even longer when you look at water supplies.

[@dmannevada5981]

There is massive amounts of water in the western desert. As this report tells you, this is about agricultural production that is feeding you. So the region is essentially exporting its resource to keep you fed, so you are part of the problem along with your stupid comment.

[@LoganLaitylogzen]

I really appreciate the detail and well constructed script in this short, WSJ. Please consider taking your institutional knowledge around reference sourcing and quality arguments and applying it to the opinion section.

[@rainman7992]

western drought explained: it has not rained for a very long time....whew ! that was tough.

[@Baltic_Hammer6162]

Drought has always been a problem out west. Out west meaning west of the Missouri River.

[@Spenceycat123]

Rice and almonds in the literal desert? And then they’re scratching their heads what’s wrong.

[@gregoryeverson741]

almonds do grow in the desert, but take so much water

[@jegsh4299]

@@gregoryeverson741 not as much water as cows.

[@gregoryeverson741]

@@jegsh4299 1,900 gallons of water for 1 pound of almonds about 2,400 for beef

[@akshajajay5900]

A third of all water used by humans is used for animal farming.

[@rodtukker1904]

And you drink Coca-Cola and Pepsi.

[@akshajajay5900]

@Agent Smith I disagree. We're estimated to run out of fresh water by 2040 and we can already see some aspects of it playing out in many parts of the world. There's clear evidence that animal farming uses a third of all fresh water, even the water usage of natural gas fracking is degrees of magnitudes lower.

[@akshajajay5900]

@Agent Smith By running out of water I meant fresh water. Sea water is basically useless to us unless desalinated. Desalination is extremely energy intensive and expensive. it's not a feasible option for a lot of applications and if you live a few hundred miles off the cost it's not an option of begin with. There are a whole host of other environmental problems with desalination.

[@akshajajay5900]

@Rick Christopher Yes it is but there's not a whole lot we can do about it. We can't just tell people to stop making babies and even if they did stop it would take decades for the population to start going down. the statistic of 30% of fresh water used for animal agriculture holds for any population size, it's just that the net water usage will go down.

[@victorhopper6774]

@@akshajajay5900 so we should kill all the animals and eat them, ok

[@tmmartin50]

And some farmers grow cotton - almost as water intensive as rice. Growing those crops in California amounts to exporting water from a desert. Insane.

[@livecrosswire]

"This has major implications for those who rely on the water the most: farmers and the communities they surround." Well, they sit there and keep looking at the wrong information that sits in their face every day and waste time is going to be a bigger downfall for the people living in the land. REALLY. The one problem is the people and the climate scientists are looking at the earth for answers when it has been given long ago. I don't live there and I am not being paid to find the answer to the problem as it, not the earth or the weather that is the problem.

[@thedude6810]

Colusa county isn't a desert, is in Northern California. the whole west coast is suffering from this drought

[@gunnyhighway8415]

Geoengineering bro. They spray y’all like vermin.. the heavy metals get into everything, the natural weather patterns are disrupted.. what happened to the bees.?

[@professorgamebum]

Idk maybe you could stop Nestlé from taking millions of gallons of water out of the water cycle...and shipping the out of the area. Just a thought.

[@victorhopper6774]

a hundred million gallons of water is nothing.

[@jonnyaxelsson9940]

Nestlé and the others are bottling drinking water for people. Drinking water is just a tiny fraction of water use. Most water goes to agriculture and industry. Of the water left for residential use, almost none goes to drinking. In Western US a terrifying amount goes to watering lawns.

[@MarkMphonoman]

Excellent documentary. Thanks. 👍

[@mikh9202]

In Australia we have a great system where we allow foreign companies to buy water rights and sell them at a profit, then pay no taxes. Farmers have no crop problems because they have no crops, then they have no financial problems, because they commit suicide. Keep government regulation, or you will suffer the same fate.