Weather of tomorrow Essay

Submitted By 10nis4life
Words: 894
Pages: 4

Central Valley, California The landscape of the Delta is ever-changing, due to issues with mankind and global warming. In Heidi Cullen’s, “The Weather of the Future”, the Delta is portrayed as one of the most essential pieces to the survival and success of the Central Valley, California. The fact is that the Delta is in a crisis. If this is held true, then there would be a never-ending chain of events leading to disaster after disaster. In order to get the Delta to optimal efficiency, there needs to be an immediate shift in the way that humans operate on a daily basis. The Delta stretches approximately 400 miles from north to south. Therefore, to keep on jeopardizing this vital resource would be irrational and unwise. If things concerning the Delta remain uniform and unchanged, then there will be unimaginable repercussions that ultimately lead to the demise of the Central Valley, California. If the Delta remains in a state of unsureness, then there will be a substantial loss of one major resource. The main water supply of the Central Valley would cease to exist, thus leaving its inhabitants stranded and longing for a solution. Hence, if the Delta were to be eliminated through erosion or earthquakes, the amount of available water would diminish for most of California. For example, if we encountered a catastrophic earthquake, it could break down levee walls and within hours bring in salt water from the San Francisco bay. The salt level in the water ways would be detrimental to not only the drinking water but, to the wildlife and its ecosystem as well. Furthermore, it would also have a heavy influence on the amount and quality of farming. If the water were to become polluted due to human contamination, then that would result in even less fresh water for farming food. This would be extremely detrimental due to the fact that the population of California is expected to grow from 35 million to 55 million by 2050. Therefore, resources would become even scarcer, and prices, in turn, will sky rocket. Each of these components are a recipe for failure, and would leave the southern part of the state-which contains two-thirds of the state’s population-with very little fresh water supplies. Global warming is becoming not only a household term, but is making a visible impact on our environment and weather today. The lack of snowfall in the Sierra’s is alarming because the Delta waterways depend on being replenished by the melting snowpack in the spring and summer, which account for nearly 15 million acre-feet of water. The sea levels in the Delta will also increase substantially. This will eventually lead to salt water intrusion, flooding and leave the Central Valley, California under several feet of water. In addition, global warming will cause the earth to heat up and have droughts harder and faster, as well as wildfires becoming 55% more frequent. Air pollution will become more frequent, longer-lasting, and more intense as temperatures increase. By 2040, the seasons will become virtually unrecognizable because of the dramatic climate changes in the coming years. If this horrendous future is realized, then the human race will face intense challenges and obstacles currently unknown or even contemplated. The situation with the Delta and its future is not entirely bleak. There are many solutions being created and proposed. One viable idea lies within the peripheral canal. The sole purpose of this invention would be to transfer water from the Sacramento River along the Delta’s