Impact of Calif. drought could be felt nationwide
By Bruce Kennedy, MoneyWatch
The ongoing severe drought in California is much more than a statewide emergency or a local news story. It will likely have ripple effects nationwide, affecting grocery store receipts in all 50 states, and putting a dent in the nation’s economy.
California is a major player in the country’s economic engine. If California were its own country, it would be the world’s eighth-largest economy – surpassing the GDP of Italy and Russia.
A big part of the Golden State’s wealth comes from its agricultural base. The state’s 80,500 farms reportedly generated a record $44.7 billion for their production output in 2012 – making California the top U.S. state in cash farm reciepts, accounting for more than 11 percent of the overall national total.
A gallon of water is approaching .05 cents per gallon nationwide. There is an ongoing argument over the amount of water used per day by Americans; 100 – 400 gallons per day. This depends on personal use and/or farm use to supply food to the table. Modern desalination techniques are also approaching .05 cents per gallon. Ninety-eight (98) percent of all water on Earth is salt water. You kids going to college to find a career, you might consider desalination or the associated topics.
I live in the north. We have gotten all of your rain this winter because of high pressure caused by warming the Arctic. This isn’t a drought its Climate Change!
And Rock desalination uses an extreme amount of energy further polluting our environment. The solution is less humans!
So, Ice Gal, are you suggesting mass suicide?
You first.
I have a proposal. Since much of the fruits and vegetables grown in California are consumed in the other 49 states, I wonder if there could be a way to get those 49 states to help fund agricultural water projects in California? Just a wild thought.
ICE. You need to educate yourself about “modern” desalination techniques out there. It is true that 70% of the desalination is in the Middle East where they have little water but lots of fossil fuel. However. In Australia they are building desalination plants in the Ocean using tides, pressure and reverse osmosis. This process uses very little carbon based energy.
“So, Ice Gal, are you suggesting mass suicide?”
What kind of logic lead to that conclusion?
Stop calling people dumb. You in no position to do such a thing.