Weather events have political dimensions. Describe how changes in the climate create problems and issues that require a response from California governing officials.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Varies. Whether short- or long-term, extreme weather events can have devastating effects on infrastructure (such as through subsidence, or sinking of land because of drought and over-pumping of underground aquifers), availability of water and electricity, biodiversity, transportation systems, commerce and industry, and the economy generally. Most of these lead to higher costs for governments that must respond to emergencies or longer term effects on people, businesses, and the environment. Some of the impacts of prolonged drought have been on water availability and quality, economic losses in the tourism and agricultural industries in particular, and costs related to damaged infrastructure (broken pipes, bridges, sewer lines, roads) because of sinking land (subsidence). Water scarcity calls into question the proper balance of water rights, and proposals to ensure drinking water for Southern California, such as the "Twin Tunnels" WaterFix, would cost billions of dollars to implement. Excessive drought is also related to more frequent wildfires and potential loss of wildlife. An abundance of water brought by heavy rains places similar stresses on people, the environment, and the economy: mudslides and flooding create emergency situations that require costly repairs and responses from the state.