Source: LA Times

Rain, rain go away; come again another day. Fond memories of childhood that brings back. I always wanted the rain to go away somewhere else so I can play kickball or softball. Well, today in California, I think many people have chanted that song a little too much for the New Year of 2014. While New York and Chicago are getting record number snow storms and single digit temperatures, California is is dying of thirst.

Most people escape the freezing cold winter and stay in warmer climates for winter in Southern California and The Sun Belt. Would you believe that 2013-14 is California’s worst drought in history. Almost three quarters of the state is in severe water shortage. This has minimally made it into the national news in America. Here in New York area, we all think that everyone is in blizzard conditions from the snow we got this year. California’s Governor Brown finally declared national emergency for the severe drought.

So, how does any of this affect us in the Northeast or Chicago area? Researchers claim the there is only enough water for a 20 year supply. California has one of the largest agricultural markets in America, according to California’s Department of Agriculture. Go any supermarket or fruit stand in your community. You will be amazed that California has a huge chunk of the market in carrots, cattle, strawberries, grapes, wine, almonds, milk, and cheese. With a life expectancy of another 20 years feeding your family, food prices only go in one direction: Up and up MORE.

The population of California is roughly 40 million people. There surely will not be enough water for everyone in the next 20 years. The Pin Flat Reservoir turns Fresno Reservoir into a puddle.  The following on California’s farming market is from City-Data.com:

The state produces 99 percent of the artichokes grown in the US, 44 percent of asparagus, a fifth of cabbage, two-thirds of carrots, half of bell peppers, 89 percent of cauliflower, 94 percent of broccoli, and 95 percent of celery. Leafy greens? California’s got the market cornered: 90 percent of the leaf lettuce we consume, along with and 83 percent of Romaine lettuce and 83 percent of fresh spinach, come from the big state on the left side of the map. Cali also cranks a third of total fresh tomatoes consumed in the U.S.—and 95 percent of ones destined for cans and other processing purposes.

How will your life change from this natural disaster?

What do you see as a solution?

Where are we headed for the future?

 

 To Health… To Wealth… To Prosperity

 

As always, please tell us what you think in the comments below…