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The West Without Water

Tyler Durden's picture




 

Submitted by Erico Tavares of Sinclair & Co.

The West Without Water: An Interview with Dr. B. Lynn Ingram

Dr. B. Lynn Ingram is a professor in the Department of Earth and Planetary Science at UC Berkeley, California. The primary goal of her research is to assess how climates and environments have changed over the past several thousand years based on the geochemical and sedimentologic analysis of aquatic sediments and archaeological deposits, with a particular focus on the US West.

She is the co-author of “The West without Water: What Past Floods, Droughts, and Other Climatic Clues Tell Us about Tomorrow” together with Dr. Frances Malamud-Roam, which received great reviews.

In this interview, Dr. Ingram shares her thoughts on the current drought in the US Southwest within the larger climate record and potential implications for the future.

E. Tavares: Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us today. Your research focuses on long-range geoclimatic trends using a broad sample of historical records. In this sense, “The West without Water”, which we vividly recommend reading, provides a very grounded perspective on the weather outlook for the US Southwest going forward. So let’s start there. What prompted you to write this book?

L. Ingram: My co-author and I decided to write this book because our findings, and those of our colleagues, were all showing that over the past several thousand years, California and the West have experienced extremes in climate that we have not seen in modern history - the past 150 years or so. Floods and droughts far more catastrophic than we can even imagine. We felt it was important to bring these findings to the attention of the broader public, as these events tend to repeat themselves. So we need to prepare, just as we prepare for large earthquakes in California.

ET: When you say “West”, which regions are you referring to?

LI: In the book we focus on the climate history of California and the Southwest, but also bring in examples and comparisons with other western states as appropriate (such as Oregon and Washington, Nevada, Utah, etc.), as the entire region experiences similar storms and is controlled by similar climate that originates in the Pacific Ocean.

ET: What type of evidence have you used in reaching your conclusions? How accurate are these records?

LI: In the book we bring together many lines of evidence, ranging from tree-ring records to sediment cored from beneath lakes, estuaries, and the ocean. Paleoclimatologists – those that study past climate change using geologic evidence – study various aspects of these cores, including the fossils in them, the chemistry of the fossils and the sediments, and pollen and charcoal remains. The charcoal provides evidence about past wildfires. The archaeological record also contains important clues about past climate and environments and how they impacted human populations.

ET: Can you walk us through some of the major climatic events of the past thousand years in that part of the US? How unusual was the 20 century in that context?

LI: We had a relatively dry period during the Medieval Warm Period, 900-1400AD. There were several prolonged periods of drought that lasted decades to over a century during that time. That period was followed by a cooler, wetter period (the Little Ice Age) that continued until the 19 century. However, the tree-ring records suggest that the 20 century was unusually wet, meaning we had fewer droughts on average than the previous 1000 years.

ET: Based on what you just described, what the current drought may be telling us is that we could be seeing the start of a decadal “mean reversion” to much drier conditions going forward. Is this correct?

LI: Yes – actually the past decade in California and the West has been pretty dry, and the concern is that these climate conditions could continue for several more decades. We've seen these broader cycles of wet-dry in the past.

ET: And what drives the long-term climate variability in the West?

LI: Over the long-term, natural climate variations are driven by a number of factors, including the ocean temperatures in the north Pacific (the so-called “Pacific Decadal Oscillation”), the El Nino Southern Oscillation, sunspots and even slight changes in the earth’s orbit over thousands of years. Volcanic eruptions can also impact climate. The human-caused increase in greenhouse gases is also impacting our climate, on top of those natural causes, and warming will have a number of affects, including reduced snowpack, drier soils and vegetations and increased wildfires.

ET: Presumably there were Native American populations who went through those protracted periods of dryness. How did they manage to survive? Is there anything we can learn from that?

LI: Actually during the medieval droughts, the Ancestral Pueblo or Anasazi civilization that inhabited the four corners region, whose populations had grown during the wetter periods leading up to the droughts, suffered greatly. There is evidence for conflict, disease and finally mass migration out of their region. The native populations in California also had increased violence, malnutrition and abandoned sites in search of water and other resources. We can learn that even during the wetter times we need to prepare for the eventual dry climate that always follows, as that is the nature of our variable climate here.

ET: These findings are quite concerning. Of course we have the benefit of advanced technologies now. Can human intervention help counter the adverse effects of a prolonged drought?

LI: We will surely have to begin some serious adoption of water conservation technologies (like water efficient appliances, recycling of treated wastewater, desalination, etc.) as part of a comprehensive strategy to adapt to water scarcity.

ET: Such measures can be quite unpopular. While your climate research suggests much drier days ahead, people may still think that at some point the rains will come back like they always have. So why ration water now? If you were a political decision-maker, how do you get past that perception and help focus people’s attention on the long-term risks? What should everyone be thinking about right now?

LI: We have still been using more water than the supply – in California each year we use about 6 million acre-feet from pumping groundwater, which takes a very long time to replenish. Farmers have been using groundwater with no regulation or monitoring in the Central Valley – drawing down the water table.

As our population grows as it’s expected to, we will need to begin serious water conservation and recycling even in the absence of a prolonged drought. This will clearly take a comprehensive plan that involves everyone. A recent analysis by the Pacific Institute outlines water management strategies that could potentially conserve 14 million acre-feet of water per year, which would be hugely beneficial (1).

ET: If you had to ascribe a probability of severely dry decades in the West occurring over the foreseeable future, what would it be?

LI: A team of researchers have analyzed past and present climate change and shown that there is a 50 to 60 percent chance of a 35-year drought occurring in the West.

ET: That’s a very high probability! And as you look at the historical record, what is the worst case scenario for the region? California in particular is such an important state for the US and indeed the world, so the consequences of a prolonged drought could be far reaching. As a state resident, what keeps you up at night? What other states could also be impacted?

LI: The worst case scenario is a repeat of the medieval droughts, which would primarily impact California and the Southwest. The past decade has been very dry in this region, and if it continues for more decades, that would be very difficult.

I also worry about a mega-flood hitting the region, as we've seen every one to two centuries. The last one was in 1861-62, and filled the entire Central Valley (350 miles long and 20 miles wide) with water 20 feet deep. This was caused by 43 days of rain from atmospheric river storms.

ET: And with that, here’s my last question. Are you planning to move out of California at some point? Where would you move to? And if it comes to that, which we hope not, what is the signal for people to start getting out of Dodge (perhaps literally in this case)?

LI: I love California too much to leave! I just hope that if the state begins a serious and comprehensive effort, we will be prepared to make it through the dry periods.

 

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Sat, 09/06/2014 - 15:03 | 5188598 Decolat
Decolat's picture

Examples must be made. Keep the masses fearful, and helpless.

 

Same as with the raw milk suppliers.

 

Oh, and peaceful protesters.

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 15:28 | 5188665 El Vaquero
El Vaquero's picture

Leave the looters alone though.

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 16:26 | 5188802 S.N.A.F.U.
S.N.A.F.U.'s picture

The ones looting the liquor store and the ones looting the country.

Sun, 09/07/2014 - 07:26 | 5190088 Bangalore Equit...
Bangalore Equity Trader's picture

Listen, You 'mericans made your bed. Now you will sleep in it! If I were youz, I'd push hard for legislation to legalize recreational heroine use.

DO NOT DELAY. It's the perfect "medication" for a decaying culture in rapid decline!

Sun, 09/07/2014 - 08:24 | 5190138 caustixoid
caustixoid's picture

heroine use?  like Wonderwoman?   oh yeah, I could use me some of THAT.

Sun, 09/07/2014 - 08:32 | 5190146 Bangalore Equit...
Sat, 09/06/2014 - 14:45 | 5188577 PontifexMaximus
PontifexMaximus's picture

We do not need water, we have yelle and draghi. Did people move away from cali? Did immigration significantly drop to cali? Move along, nothing to see here.

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 15:47 | 5188705 tawdzilla
tawdzilla's picture

water can't be printed or digitized

Sun, 09/07/2014 - 07:34 | 5190096 Bangalore Equit...
Bangalore Equity Trader's picture

Listen, there's no shame in desalinization of your irradiated Pacific waters, and as such, we shall AGREE, that it can be transformed!

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 14:49 | 5188580 kowalli
kowalli's picture

important state for the US and indeed the world

- americans are too exceptional, always think about that they are important to world..

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 14:49 | 5188585 random999
random999's picture

California important for the world.. heh he he hehehe..

 

LOL

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 14:51 | 5188590 kowalli
kowalli's picture

yes, like always..

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 14:55 | 5188597 random999
random999's picture

Ya i just realized that if california was wiped from the earth oli prices would fall way to much.

Oh no deflation in the energy sector! Ze Horror for ze eckonomy!

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 15:01 | 5188614 kowalli
kowalli's picture

no one will find out that cali is gone... No one is know that there is drought in cali... like no one know that Louisiana is sinking

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 15:27 | 5188666 Creepy Lurker
Creepy Lurker's picture

But, but, but... Its California! Its so special! And Californians are so special! Becuase they're from California! Oh my GOD! You just don't get it!

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 15:30 | 5188676 kowalli
kowalli's picture

im not a god, so far, but I try

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 15:39 | 5188690 fockewulf190
fockewulf190's picture

Looks like a doubling of property taxes is around the corner to pay for all the desalination plants they are going to need too survive.  Somebody is going to have to figure out how to filter out all the radioactive crap coming from Fukushima...or the Napa valley grapes are going to grow eyeballs.

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 15:48 | 5188707 kowalli
kowalli's picture

You can't filter out all the radioactive crap coming from Fukushima, you need to find 10-20k guys who want to die saving Japan...

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 16:14 | 5188743 vulcanraven
vulcanraven's picture

Speaking on California from someone who actually lives here... born and raised in the Liberal progressive hellhole of the state-Los Angeles, I have been looking to get out of here for about two years but can't decide where to land. Gays, feminists, and illegals have destroyed this city. Can anyone on the Hedge recommend a good Libertarian/Conservative leaning place for a single late 30's guy to move to? 

Much obliged.

 

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 16:19 | 5188790 disabledvet
disabledvet's picture

Airport in Moscow?

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 16:22 | 5188795 COSMOS
COSMOS's picture

Colorado, or Austin Texas

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 16:33 | 5188819 vulcanraven
vulcanraven's picture

Do I smell some /sarc? Both of those places are fast becoming Liberal shitholes from everything I have heard.

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 17:28 | 5188948 sleigher
sleigher's picture

Are you sure you want to stay in the US?  I think I am at the point that I would leave if it were possible to do so.

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 17:43 | 5188987 Creepy Lurker
Creepy Lurker's picture

@Vulcanraven, depends on your perspective. The folks who were already here in Colorado haven't given up. There's a groundswell of libertarianism here that I haven't been able to ignore. I've been donating to them as much as I can. If it weren't for the whole rest of the family being back east, I'd seriously consider staying to fight it out.

I love Colorado, but can't quite bring myself to abandon the fam. Maybe you could take my place on the front lines.

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 18:11 | 5189066 vulcanraven
vulcanraven's picture

I have actually been considering Texas, got a friend from LA who moved to Austin 7 years ago and never looked back. I have visited once before but only for a few days, didn't really see much outside of the 6th street bar scene. My job is ending at the end of this month so I am going to do a little traveling to figure out where I want to eventuallly end up. Have some friends in Colorado as well, maybe I will stop through there. Personally, after living in or around Hollywood my entire life, I want to be as far away from a gay population center as possible, they are the most whiny fucking people on earth. If you are going to be gay, fine, just stop fucking shoving it in my face. Why is there a gay character on just about every TV show nowadays? And children "coming out" as early as the age of 9? At that age, children shouldn't even know what sexual preference is. Serously what the fuck is going on with this country? At least 80% of the company that I work for is gay, and being a straight white male makes me either the enemy, or the conquest of every fag in the office to turn me gay. Been a contractor there for almost three years, and now they aren't renewing my contract. I bet if I pretended to be queer I could land a fulltime position.

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 19:42 | 5189296 Rusty Shorts
Rusty Shorts's picture

Nashville Tennessee ...Cheers

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 20:38 | 5189383 Obama_4_Dictator
Obama_4_Dictator's picture

Austin is a hell hole with tons of gays and libs, #3 worst traffic in the nation....high property taxes...would not be a step in the right direction....Honestly, and I can say this honestly....I grew up and spent 25 years in WI and 10 in San diego, and now I am in Texas...If I was given a choice to live in only one of 2 cities (San Diego or Austin) I would choose San Diego everytime....the hipsters in Austin make me sick, 4th street has more gays than Hillcrest in SD, it's disgusting, traffic is a literal nightmare, weather sucks balls, cali fags have runied Austin. Personally I think Austin was a lost cause 40 years ago, but I am a hard core Anarchist and hate central planned anything.  It's at least, if not more expensive to live in Austin than SD, water prices are really high and there is no water here either.  It's way more densly populated than San Diego as well. I can't think of one good thing to say about Austin and I hated San Diego. Honestly, WI is looking better and better, plenty of water, people are nice, cheap living, great hunting - quick escape from the USSA via the Canadian border.  I hope this helps.

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 22:28 | 5189634 duo
duo's picture

Spent 25 years in Dallas.  Hoping to retire to my place in WI looking over 4 quadrillion gallons of fresh water soon.

As I get older, the heat is getting tough.

Everything said about Austin above is true.  It is truly a horrible place to live.  All the hassles of a big city with none of the advantages.  And the traffic.  Fuck me!

Sun, 09/07/2014 - 07:54 | 5190106 Bangalore Equit...
Bangalore Equity Trader's picture

Listen, most here will agree, you should not have animosity toward any one particular group, persae. This type of "RUN AND HIDE FROM" behavior is pointless.

Let me be clear, you end up in non-gaysville USSA and your new job at Jiffy Lubed offers bliss to your sole, you bought a 3 bedroom ranch for your wife and newborn baby and life is good.

All of a sudden a "GAY COUPLE" moves in next door and, "OH, IT"S ON AND POPPIN NOW!", to boot, they are interracial and they are "FUCKIN RENTERS!"

What you say? It sounds like a new hit reality show on your American CBS network and Gale "FAT ASS OPRAH WHORE" is the Connie Chung of this one.

No one told you that your neighborhood was just bought up by some "queers from Hollywood" to put on their new show?

Did they read your posting on ZEROHEDGE?!!!

Quit the wonderlust and make a commitment to clean up YOUR USSA country. Join ISIL and do not look back! ISIL is there to HELP "REAL" Americans!

Sun, 09/07/2014 - 10:46 | 5190393 Fedaykinx
Fedaykinx's picture

don't you have a roadside to be shitting on somewhere, instead of shitting up this conversation?

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 17:49 | 5189009 Blano
Blano's picture

Plenty of non-liberal shitholes still in Texas.  DFW isn't bad outside of Dallas.

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 16:23 | 5188796 kowalli
kowalli's picture

Singapore

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 17:27 | 5188944 sleigher
sleigher's picture

So no one wants Californians even when they aren't liberal.  lol

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 17:46 | 5188999 Creepy Lurker
Creepy Lurker's picture

Actions speak louder than words. If they don't act like asshole elitist Californians, I have no problem with them.

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 18:23 | 5189093 vulcanraven
vulcanraven's picture

Trust me, I understand the stereotype. I can't speak for every part of California, but I have spent much time in Los Angeles and San Francisco and I have had about as much hipster elitist bullshit as I can take, Los Angeles is a 13th grade popularity contest. Not sure which part of CA is more pretentious, SoCal or The Bay Area. I have made some lasting friendshps with folks I grew up with, but by and large most people from these two cities believe they are gods gift to the earth. And the most ironic thing is, most of the people in LA aren't even from LA. They are the worst of the worst narcissistic egomaniacs from around the world who gravitate here to be "discovered" and become the "next big thing." The level of cunt-ery is off the charts. Can't believe I have been here this long, but once I finally unplugged from all the bullshit I realized that I no longer relate with anyone here.

I need to get out ASAP before I completely lose my mind.

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 18:50 | 5189177 Herd Redirectio...
Herd Redirection Committee's picture

You're welcome in Canada, specifically southern BC.

Sun, 09/07/2014 - 08:05 | 5190122 Bangalore Equit...
Bangalore Equity Trader's picture

Listen I do not subscribe to torture this young lad because he sounds "emotionally available" I think he should spend a year or two "ABROAD" so he can be "introduced to new cultures".

All those in favor say "EYE".

Let me be clear, Canada is not "ABROAD"!

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 17:36 | 5188960 zhandax
zhandax's picture

Bangladesh

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 17:09 | 5188902 random999
random999's picture

Heh its difficult to recommend other people where to go. There are always ups and downs.

Anyways, its usually totally worth it to try out a new place if you dont feel right about ur current.. you only live ones, better spend it right! What kind of culture and lifestyle that fits yo u best you need to figure out yourself.

Ive been to asia a lot and love it. Takes a while to learn the languages tho. European and south american languages are much easier to learn.

 

 

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 19:42 | 5189257 Cobra
Cobra's picture

If you like, can get used to the weather:

http://freestateproject.org/about/101-reasons-move-new-hampshire

I fucking love it here, but I'm totally biased.

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 20:33 | 5189407 e_goldstein
e_goldstein's picture

This sounds like a question for Simon Black.

Sun, 09/07/2014 - 13:51 | 5191025 MrButtoMcFarty
MrButtoMcFarty's picture

Have you ever considered West Coast of Michigan? It doesn't suck.

Quiet, conservative, nice beaches, cheap RE, winters keep out most of the riffraff, med mj if you wish...

Drawbacks....

Long winters, the Dutch mafia, too many fucking fucks from Chicago in the summer.

 

Sun, 09/07/2014 - 15:50 | 5191356 Creepy Lurker
Creepy Lurker's picture

Fellow Michigander :)

I'm going northern east coast, right on Lake Huron. Even quieter, I'm told. Tourists, but mostly in-state. And I have the right kind of name to be at peace with the Dutch. (lol)

The more I think about it, the more I'm excited to be going home.

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 20:44 | 5188588 alexcojones
alexcojones's picture

Couple more inches of hard rain predicted.

Images for arizona monsoon season

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 14:51 | 5188589 loregnum
loregnum's picture

Wait a second, there were severe droughts between 900 and 1400 AD? Before SUVs and all the other bullshit I am told is the cause for every single current climate issue that isn't ideal? There was the little ice age after this meaning the climate changed in a pretty signficant way? Without humans and their cars and their monster carbon footprints? Can't be!! 

 

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 15:16 | 5188640 zeroheckler
zeroheckler's picture

Some never get it: there are natural cycles or causes for climate change (e.g., ashes from volcano eruptions etc.) and there might be man-made causes. Man-made causes might amplify the effects of natural ones or counteract them to some extent.

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 15:33 | 5188681 McMolotov
McMolotov's picture

How I explained it to my dad: "If you typically get diarrhea once a month and then start eating Indian food and get the shits every week, the Indian food might be a problem."

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 18:52 | 5189182 acetinker
acetinker's picture

Wait just a fkn minute!  This gal says Cali uses 6 million acre-feet of water per year, but in the next breath says that with "proper initiatives by the state" (or some such collectivist bullshit) they can save 14 million acre-feet per year?  I call bullshit!

But really, Mc-  it sounds like you agree that AGW is real, and you seem to be more intelligent than average, too.  Maybe it is real to some extent or another.  So, how do we propose to mitigate it?  Carbon credits?  To me, that's the same thing as creating currency and calling it wealth.  I suppose the resulting drag on the economy will eventually reduce man-made CO2, but it's analogous to fucking for celibacy.

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 19:18 | 5189236 aka_ces
aka_ces's picture

Noticed same thing.  The original article

      http://pacinst.org/publication/ca-water-supply-solutions/

has a link which clarifies it

      http://pacinst.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2014/06/untapped-savings-...

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 20:55 | 5189371 acetinker
acetinker's picture

Luv me some Hendrix!  I clicked on the first link and a banner ad popped up asking for donations to mitigate climate change.  That's rich!

It's strange, but I know a gal named Cecily, aka: Ces.  She's a crook, literally.  Talked me into doing work for her but never paid.  She never got her parts, either, but I ain't got no use for 'em.  Filed bankruptcy and stiffed me, and many more I'm sure.

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 21:27 | 5189504 aka_ces
aka_ces's picture

she's just like Crosstown Traffic, all she does, is slow me down ...

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 23:28 | 5189529 acetinker
acetinker's picture

...while I'm tryin'

to get on

the other side

of town

Are you trying, really? Or, are you clinging desperately to your side of town?  Methinks you misinterpret Mr. Hendrix.

I'm not the only soul

Accused of hit and run

Tire tracks all across my back

Well I, I can see you've had your fun

But, uh

Darlin' can't you see my signal's

Turned from green to red

And if you'd like to see a traffic jam

Look straight up ahead!

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 21:27 | 5189509 acetinker
acetinker's picture

But yeah, Ces, if you figure out a way to collect every drop of rain, or piss or whatever from the environment, and furthermore figure out how to distribute that toxic mix upstream without bankrupting yourself (oh, what's that you say?  You're already bankrupt?) you still have to overcome the toxicity aspect.  Forgive me for saying so, but you can't afford it.  Therefore, you won't have it.

If it makes you feel any better, I'm sittin' in N.GA, US, fat and happy.  The same shit could happen to me, though, at any time.

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 23:53 | 5189803 McMolotov
McMolotov's picture

I haven't come to any conclusion regarding AGW as of yet. I'm simply pointing out that past climate doesn't have much bearing on whether current climate can be affected by man or not.

As far as state intervention to mitigate any possible man-made fuck-ups, the military is by far the biggest polluter here in the US. This has been pointed out plenty of times. A reduction in warmongering would be many times more effective than carbon credits or any other statist scheme in mitigating AGW if it happens to exist.

Sun, 09/07/2014 - 08:34 | 5190100 zeroheckler
zeroheckler's picture

McMolly, out of the 3 that still did not get it after my comment (thus far), your simple explanation (diarrhea) clarified it for another 66.6% of those - (thus far, only one downvote for you).

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 17:42 | 5188981 RaceToTheBottom
RaceToTheBottom's picture

Kinda like the Keynesian effect on the natural business cycles.

Maybe that image will help.

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 15:02 | 5188592 ZerOhead
ZerOhead's picture

Informative article.

I also worry about a mega-flood hitting the region, as we've seen every one to two centuries. The last one was in 1861-62, and filled the entire Central Valley (350 miles long and 20 miles wide) with water 20 feet deep. This was caused by 43 days of rain from atmospheric river storms.

Unless they are growing new aquatic varieties of mellons and vegetables when it hits the all you can eat salad bar is really going to suck...

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 15:30 | 5188674 Publicus
Publicus's picture

Nah, Cali will get a 500 year drought first, followed by the mega-flood that washes them out to sea.

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 21:17 | 5189482 mkkby
mkkby's picture

There is no problem in Cali.  If anything happens Obama will just make a speech and everything will be fixed.

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 17:39 | 5188970 sleigher
sleigher's picture

They should use that aquaduct to wash out LA.  

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 14:56 | 5188595 Jason T
Jason T's picture

NAWAPA was an idea in the 1960's .. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_Water_and_Power_Alliance

 

Todays' culture doesn't have the will to make it happen.

I expect migration and all the other things that happened with the indian's to happen again because what's been will be again, ain't nothing new under the sun.

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 15:35 | 5188635 ZerOhead
ZerOhead's picture

Today's leaders don't have the foresight and intelligence to make it happen.

 

Unless the effort to provide a long term solution to the recurrent SW droughts (and even bring new lands into agricultural production) is spearheaded by corporations and lobbyists who pump billions in to the pockets of our elected officials in exchange for trillions in contracts loaded with graft and corruption... it simply won't happen.

 

And even if it could the Feds would eventually then sell the entire system to a consortium of riff raff including Hunter Biden, Chelsea Clinton and the Obama kids. The debt money to buy it would be created by the banksters and the kids would likely charge three times more than anyone could afford to pay and have the US Government give them a subsidy to make up the difference.

We are fucked.

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 17:55 | 5189019 zhandax
zhandax's picture

Today's what?  I hope you are not suggesting that any of the pimp parade passing for CEOs or politicians today qualify as 'leaders'.

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 18:10 | 5189064 ebear
ebear's picture

"Chelsea Clinton"

Hold on there!  Chelsea isn't interested in money.  She said so herself.

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 20:52 | 5189435 zhandax
zhandax's picture

All the money floating around DC, and this is the best you can come up with?  Chelsea Clinton?  Really???

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 15:18 | 5188648 Monty Burns
Monty Burns's picture

If our experience with Global Warming, sorry, Climate Change, is anything to go by CA will be like Venice within a few years.  And I don't mean Venice Beach.

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 15:30 | 5188677 ZerOhead
ZerOhead's picture

The rate of rise has decreased since 2005 to around 2mm per year... which adds up to about 8 inches per 100 years.

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 15:32 | 5188680 fasTTcar
fasTTcar's picture

The reason it failed in the 60's is the same reason it would not go today. 

From Wiki:  Environmental writer Marc Reisner noted in Cadillac Desert that the plan was one of "brutal magnificence" and "unprecedented destructiveness."[1] Historian Ted Steinberg suggested that NAWAPA summed up "the sheer arrogance and imperial ambitions of the modern hydraulic West" and credited rising costs and the rise of the environmental movement with killing the idea.[15] One author called it "the most outlandish water development scheme to emerge in the past 50 years"[18]

Canada's fresh water supply is more valuable than its oil and should not be dumped in a desert thousands of miles south of it just to keep Cali and Vegas green.

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 14:58 | 5188599 alexcojones
alexcojones's picture

Wonder what these California scientists think when they walk outside and stare at the sky?

Images for Chemtrails Over California

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 15:50 | 5188696 Theta_Burn
Theta_Burn's picture

I have pictures of a 5 plane formation doing this in Jersey. 3 different times..

There is no doubt this is happening, trying to find out why isn't easy.

I've stumble onto a theory that they are trying to help rectify and/or mask the collapse of Earth's magnetic field/reversal of the poles, which is happening at an alarming rate, and speeding up.

The budget for this must be huge, as is the reason they are doing it, yet little information on its purpose, remarkable considering the scale of it...

Any other thoughts?

 

 

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 17:38 | 5188966 bunnyswanson
bunnyswanson's picture

They are intentionally creating an environmental disaster in an attempt at genocide. 

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 19:57 | 5189327 scrappy
scrappy's picture

Theta, the same thought has crossed my mind along with the fact we just crossed the galactic plane and are perhaps in a new "space weather" environment. In addition, the weakening of our magnetic shield like in the lower mid atlantic (Plane Crash Cause?) and such anomolies as the ozone hole in Antartica should be considered in addition to the pole movement.

 

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 14:59 | 5188608 holmes
holmes's picture

As long as those cute little delta smelt fish, and the hollywood and SF liberals have enough water, i'm good.

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 15:04 | 5188611 alexcojones
alexcojones's picture

Norwegian friend woke me up to aerosol spraying of the skies over the American Southwest years ago.

 "

"Nobody looks up," said Anne. "Here in Los Angeles we watch unmarked tanker jets completely destroy previous blue skies on a daily basis (see photos). It has been going on since 1998 at least. And yes, they do spray at night too. KNBC channel 4 did a follow up on their May "Toxic Sky" story. We have an active anti chemtrail community here in California . But politicians at any level are numb on the subject for reasons we all know. They are bought and paid for many times over."
 
 
"The Los Angeles Times just published an article on the number one reason for deaths in Los Angeles County," added Anne. "Over the last half dozen years, it is Alzheimer's and folks in their forties are afflicted now. Exposure to aluminum causes Alzheimer's, and aluminum has been found in lab tests of the fallout from chemtrails."
 
 
"Years ago, lung cancer was the seventh leading cause of death," said her friend, George. "Now it is third."
Is Los Angeles Chemtrail Central?

 

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 21:42 | 5189530 Minge
Minge's picture

Bat. Shit. Crazy.

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 22:35 | 5189653 TheAnswerIs42
TheAnswerIs42's picture

+1000

 

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 15:03 | 5188617 Mr Giggles
Mr Giggles's picture

mmmm Califonia, all I can come up with is dried up old fruit!

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 17:26 | 5188934 bunnyswanson
bunnyswanson's picture

Then you have obviously never spent the weekend at Post Ranch Inn at Big Sur, or Monterey Bay or Carmel or at the Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite or San Diego where nearly perfect weather can be found most days.  The view is worth the effort.  I have traveled through most states and lived in several regions and California beats all of them.  Texas (frying pan), Florida and the northeast (sweat hog country)....

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 17:45 | 5188997 sleigher
sleigher's picture

It is rather breathtaking in its beauty, but that doesn't account for the price of admission IMHO.

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 15:08 | 5188630 1stepcloser
1stepcloser's picture

Time for californication to look into Brawndo..

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 15:08 | 5188632 skbull44
skbull44's picture

Infinite growth on a finite planet...what could possibly go wrong?

http://olduvai.ca

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 15:13 | 5188638 trip kitchen
trip kitchen's picture

On a long enough timeline...all cyclical aberrations revert to their mean. 

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 15:17 | 5188642 Skip
Skip's picture

Overpopulation in the United States will become THE single greatest issue facing Americans in the 21st century. We either solve it proactively or nature will solve it brutally for us via water shortages, energy crisis, air pollution, gridlock, species extinction and worse.

U.S. population will double from 300 million to 600 million on its way to 1 billion in the lifetime of a child born today if we fail to change course.(2000)
- Frosty Wooldridge

How Many More Millions Of Immigrants Can America Take?
By Frosty Wooldridge February 2010

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 15:30 | 5188675 El Vaquero
El Vaquero's picture

We'll change course, but not by choice.

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 16:35 | 5188814 trader1
trader1's picture

pro tip: you can handle population growth by stopping the waste of water and energy, polluting the air, ...  you know, like being a good conservative.  ;-)

 

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 20:22 | 5189380 saveUSsavers
saveUSsavers's picture

... AND THE FRACKING WATER USE????? Injection back into the earth? FUCKERS will destroy it all.

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 15:20 | 5188649 falak pema
falak pema's picture

what happened to Death valley Cali,  is it now taken over by the Oligarchs, converted  into a zombie park ?

Those guys who made Genghis Khan movie in Utah all ended up with cancer, including Big John (as opposed to Little John, who got nipped by Friar Tuck). 

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 15:28 | 5188669 limacon
limacon's picture

Flooding and Drought : the two problems can solve each other with a little help .

Note that steering atmospheric rivers is at least theoreticlly possible.

http://andreswhy.blogspot.com/2013/02/atmospheric-rivers.html

http://andreswhy.blogspot.com/2013/09/arkstorm-arizona-2013.html

http://andreswhy.blogspot.com/2013/04/atmospheric-rivers-in-southern-afr...

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 15:35 | 5188683 MansaMusa
MansaMusa's picture

I'm bullish on supplying Cali with East coast bud bitchezzz!

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 15:40 | 5188684 earleflorida
earleflorida's picture

This explains why Spain and France saw no good reason to colonialize the SW and the Western States in general, esp Calififornia[?],Texas[?]... Louisiana?Purchase[?] of Northern America. The cost was to much with little payback![jmo]

Northern Mexico has always been (arid) dry,... with Southern Mexico (substantial/ sustainable moisture) wet,... always dependent upon the annual rainy season. 

"The Economic History of Mexico (Some History on Mexico and Historical Background)"      http://www.sjsu.edu/faculty/watkins/mexhist01.htm

James K. Polk-- the last Jacksonian, and a great president that brought California, New Mexico, etel (    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gadsden_Purchase    ), into the fold, although we were already aware of it's 'GOLD'en resources. But it was America's great ingenuity and entrepreneurship that made California and the west what it is today.      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_K._Polk#Invasion_of_Mexico

Ps. Perhaps others can get a grasp of where we were and how we got to where we are today.

again JMO 

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 15:38 | 5188687 Skip
Skip's picture

Frosty has been warning Americans for years about the consequences to our environment by the massive influx of legal, and illegal, immigrants from the third world. Something you won't see the BOUGHT OFF Sierra Club doing.

The Sheer Lunacy Of Multiculturalism In America
By Frosty Wooldridge, 04-30-2010

"We don't get to ban foreigners that are criminals either! Look at the upsurge of violence perpetrated by foreigners. We have Russian gangs, Chinese Tong gangs, Vietnamese gangs, MS 13, the Surenos, the Nortenos, Somali gangs, Jamaican gangs. The list of foreigners who come to this country and defile and terrorize American citizens is shocking. Don't say anything though, because you are a BIGOT.

Mexicans are by far the biggest problem simply because of the enormity of their numbers. They too are here to take advantage of the freebies! Hard work indeed! These groups of people who are only here to do work that Americans won't do are actually making 20 to 30 dollars an hour, if you add all the perks from the taxpayers into their salary. In return for our generosity we are told to get out of our own country, raped, murdered, robbed, hated and despised and made to press one for English. They are using our system of government against us and voting themselves into power over us. Don't speak out though because then you are a RACIST!"

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 16:59 | 5188878 FeralSerf
FeralSerf's picture

The Jooze like Dianne Goldman Berman Feinstein and Nancy Pelosi are the biggest problem, much worse than the Mexicans. Diane Feinstein's grandparents were Jewish emigrants from Poland

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 15:53 | 5188720 studfinder
studfinder's picture

Pipe water in from the east. 

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 15:56 | 5188739 SgtSchultz
SgtSchultz's picture

Here is the answer.  Problem solved.  Just set up delivery to 35 millions new customers.

http://www.alhambrawater.com/

 

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 16:13 | 5188774 Downtoolong
Downtoolong's picture

Don't worry, Goldman can help you hedge the entire problem away by trading carbon credits and weather swaps. It's already programmed and primed for release in their algos.

Lloyd B. 

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 16:14 | 5188777 john milton
john milton's picture

maybe you should build water pipe instead of oil one..

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 18:01 | 5189039 U4 eee aaa
U4 eee aaa's picture

I believe those are called bongs and the potheads would strongly agree with you.....dude

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 16:27 | 5188801 John Wilmot
John Wilmot's picture

Wait a minute....you mean the climate was changing for centuries before the industrial revolution? By Gore, how can this be?!

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 16:27 | 5188806 IndianaJohn
IndianaJohn's picture

If you can't grow a row of potatoes in your yard without a water hose. You may consider moving if you are able to do so.

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 16:33 | 5188818 fishwharf
fishwharf's picture

I have faith that technology and the entrepreneurial spirit will come to the rescue.  There is much profit to be had in solving this problem.  Efficient desalination, a fleet of water carrying supertankers, a new system of canals on the scale of the interstate highway system to carry water from flooded parts of the country to droughts, etc.  Come on people.  Quit wringing your hands and get busy.  There's money to be made.

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 16:41 | 5188833 mendolover
mendolover's picture

Wish I knew whether to trust the professor.  How do we know she isn't just another bought and paid for grant whore?  No offense Dr. Ingram, it's just that I don't know who the hell to trust anymore.

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 16:48 | 5188847 perelmanfan
perelmanfan's picture

Has anyone noticed that Zerohedge's organizing principle is no longer financial realism, or political skepticism, but instead a simple compilation of all of the worst possible news that can be gathered? I am no longer young, so I can pass on a lesson to any readers who might have less life experience: a realistic point of view is useful, but focusing on only the worst aspects of the world is no way to go through life. Life is, and always will be, what you make of it, and it's just as important to focus on what's right - and maximize that - as it is to focus on what's wrong and work to correct it. To the curators of ZH's content: try a pattern break and post an article on good people doing good work, or on fortunate climatic happenstance, or anything that might be described as positive, once or twice a day.

Quick example - if you're pissed about corporate control of the food supply, note that farmers markets have grown from 1700 in 1994 to 8100 in 2013.

 

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 17:17 | 5188912 himaroid
himaroid's picture

Reverse naiveology?

P.S. The author actually makes a rather hopeful analysis.

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 17:44 | 5188991 directaction
directaction's picture

ZH Rocks!  

Listen. The only way you're going to feed 7.3 billion people with farmers markets is if 6.8 billion of them are dead. So do not give us that hopium-laced, transition-town, sustainable and renewable mumbo-jumbo because it's all a bunch of silly Big Green-sponsored madness.

Humanity ahs depleted the biosphere of essential resources and is now in an irreversible state of serious overshoot. There is absolutely nothing whatsoever optimistic about that.  

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 19:29 | 5189251 aka_ces
aka_ces's picture

The red pill grants access to perspective broader than finance.  The financial unreality is symptom of a fundamental confusion about reality.

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 19:58 | 5189331 New_Meat
New_Meat's picture

"Has anyone noticed that Zerohedge's organizing principle is no longer financial realism, or political skepticism, but instead a simple compilation of all of the worst possible news that can be gathered?"

or perhaps your anal-cranial inversion is getting in the way of your desire to avoid normalcy bias?

Inquiring minds wish to know(?)

or not.

- Ned

 

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 16:49 | 5188857 NuYawkFrankie
NuYawkFrankie's picture

At least someone's praying for rain in California! Slackers!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdM9HDI33AY

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 17:08 | 5188905 himaroid
himaroid's picture

LMAO. Just sweated out last nights wine. Time to drink it up again. 5:09.

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 17:26 | 5188945 NuYawkFrankie
NuYawkFrankie's picture

You're defintely doin' your part - count yourself as a non-slacker ;)

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 16:58 | 5188876 bunnyswanson
bunnyswanson's picture

The skies above the San Joaquin Valley are filled with chemtrails most days.  Perhaps, just perhaps, the drought is being impacted by this - which no one will discuss...it's a big secret.  But whatever they are doing is not working if they are attempting to make it rain, stop the sun from shining or make the weather any different. That leads to my conclusion that if they's leave the skies alone, who knows, the weather pattern would RETURN TO NORMAL.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5is16A8pfw Ununited Nations - Coalation for Agriculture speaks about chem trails at the UN 5 years ago.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHm0XhtDyZA Exmilitary talks about chem trails

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 17:00 | 5188881 Ocean22
Ocean22's picture

This is only the tip of the ice burg.

http://youtu.be/oqB4L-V67iM

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 17:02 | 5188889 get-sum
get-sum's picture

Oklahoma 2060 Law....if Okie's can swing this so can the progressives in Mexifornia 

http://www.owrb.ok.gov/supply/conservation.php

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 17:04 | 5188896 Ocean22
Ocean22's picture

How your being poisoned.

http://youtu.be/oqB4L-V67iM

Wake up !

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 17:07 | 5188901 bugs_
bugs_'s picture

ok let me see if i got this .... a girl...at berkeley....that is an "Earth Scientist".....says its going to be dry - like really dry.  It might be time to build an ark ... or something.

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 17:08 | 5188904 jmc8888
jmc8888's picture

Wow, if only we'd built the Parsons project, now known as NAWAPA back when JFK was president, or in any of the next 50 years, water in the west wouldn't be a problem.

We knew this could happen, we have a real plan to neuter it, but we play Wall Street and Warmongering games instead of doing what's necessary.

That's why California and the west is dry.  Inaction is a man made problem.

Glass-Steagall

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 17:12 | 5188913 Baby Eating Dingo22
Baby Eating Dingo22's picture

So this makes Musk a real visionary building a battery plant in a desert?

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 17:38 | 5188967 directaction
directaction's picture

It'll be a battery plant not a water plant. Battery plants do not require water ... or any fossil fuels whatsoever.

And more importantly they're green, renewable, eco-friendly, sustainable, approved and applauded by the kind of people who support and fund Big Green environmental organizations like the Sierra Club. 

Sun, 09/07/2014 - 08:08 | 5190125 Baby Eating Dingo22
Baby Eating Dingo22's picture

Now I'm puzzled

Does a water plant require water or does it manufacture water?

Sun, 09/07/2014 - 12:23 | 5190749 Ginsengbull
Ginsengbull's picture

Yes.

Sun, 09/07/2014 - 12:48 | 5190837 JimS
JimS's picture

No, it manufactures water out of thin air. (sarcasm on: it requires saltwater, although you could probably get water from "thin air" if the dew point was high enough)

 

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 17:22 | 5188936 roadhazard
roadhazard's picture

Long desalination plants and pipelines.

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 17:26 | 5188943 syntaxterror
syntaxterror's picture

Who needs water when a 2br apartment runs $5k/mo in Frisco?

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 17:43 | 5188985 Skateboarder
Skateboarder's picture

Hats off.

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 17:52 | 5189017 dolbiere
dolbiere's picture

an infrastructure pipeline to bring water from the artic could easily be done. so what is the reason for it not to be done?

Sun, 09/07/2014 - 04:45 | 5190000 The Abstraction...
The Abstraction of Justice's picture

Ever tried to suck ice?

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 17:53 | 5189018 Goldilocks
Sat, 09/06/2014 - 17:54 | 5189026 U4 eee aaa
U4 eee aaa's picture

I remember a few years back all the elitests were reported to have been buying up water resources all over the place. Could these events be connected?

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 18:37 | 5189136 sheikurbootie
sheikurbootie's picture

Fuck California and the west!  Stay the fuck out of the rest of the country.  Burn mother fucker, burn.

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 18:41 | 5189152 dondonsurvelo
dondonsurvelo's picture

Interesting that there was no mention of Mexico and Central America in this analysis.  If things get bad in California and the Southwest then things will get multiple times worse south of the border and that is going to mean mass migration on a scale that makes todays migration out of the south look like nothing.

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 19:01 | 5189209 TMLutas
TMLutas's picture

There's a natural ceiling to water prices, $1100 per acre foot at the coast plus transport costs. If you can profitably use water at that price, you'll never run out. The west will change but it won't be without water. 

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 19:12 | 5189219 grunk
grunk's picture

Water: A barbarous relic.

Can't eat it.

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 19:30 | 5189263 Lea
Lea's picture

"California in particular is such an important state for the US and indeed the world".

THE WORLD?????

 

... Why?

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 19:51 | 5189318 New_Meat
New_Meat's picture

"... Why?"

why, her data may be a bit old, but in the pre-Brown days, ol' Cali' was like the world's seventh largest economy.  p'rhapz not so much with all the off-books and illegal/whatever todayz euphamism might be for labour.

- Ned

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 20:02 | 5189339 Duc888
Duc888's picture

 

 

We live on a water planet.  We have DESAL tech here and now.  All it takes is political will.  With the townfoolery we're supporting with military incursions all over this planet we could easily afford to stop that nonsense and fix this problem.

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 21:24 | 5189494 mkkby
mkkby's picture

Won't happen until Goldman figures out a way to profit from it.  Bonds for the desal plant paid for by a doubling of property taxes.  New metering and very high rates.

Free for mexicans though.

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 20:21 | 5189378 FeralSerf
FeralSerf's picture

Lifestyles of the rich and thirsty: In the midst of California's worst drought, the wealthy truck in their own water

http://www.sott.net/article/285242-Lifestyles-of-the-rich-and-thirsty-In...

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 20:26 | 5189393 saveUSsavers
saveUSsavers's picture

taken well over a decade here in Carlsbad CA for desal plant, google Poseidon Water vs San Diego/Carlsbad, what a fking mess. No eta yet, under const.

Santa Barbara has one too, but NO WAY MORE COMING SOON.

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 21:03 | 5189462 DeusHedge
DeusHedge's picture

the future + methane

Sun, 09/07/2014 - 07:11 | 5190034 trader1
trader1's picture

 

 

 

Pay no mind what other voices say 

   

              They don't care about you, like I do, like I do 

 

                            Safe from pain and truth and choice and other poison devils, 

 

                                                See, they don't give a fuck about you, like I do. 

 

 


 

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 21:18 | 5189484 David Wooten
David Wooten's picture

"That period was followed by a cooler, wetter period (the Little Ice Age) that continued until the 19 century." emphasis added.

Cooler climates generally have less precipitation than warmer ones and this is true from the equator to the arctic circle.  True, the warmer air causes water to evaporate faster but these scientists should explain what they mean by 'wetter'.

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 21:21 | 5189489 venturen
venturen's picture

But I thought republicans caused climate change...Al Gore and Obama said so...

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 21:45 | 5189535 q99x2
q99x2's picture

I like electricity. It was out in various SoCal areas for 4 hours today.  But the water was running.

Thought the collapse might have started at first. i thought I should have prepared better.

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 22:12 | 5189593 smithmorra
smithmorra's picture

WHAT MUST BE UNDERSTOOD IS THAT THERE ARE TOO MANY ASS-LICKERS IN THE USA WHO HAVE BOLIXED UP OUR ENTIRE COUNTRY AND YOU MAY AS WELL SAY THE ENTIRE WORLD, THE WHOLE BALL OF WAX AND SHEBANG!  WHY?  WHO VOTED FOR THE RICH A$$HOLES WHO ARE MAKING ALL OF OUR LIVES TOTALLY MISERABLE AND TURNING OUR SOCIETY INTO A GLOBAL PLANTATION?  CERTAINLY NOT YOURS TRULY, AND IF I HAD ANY SAY I WOULD LINE THESE PATHETIC JERK OFF ARTISTS AGAINST THE WALL AND GUN THEM DOWN WITH AN AK47!!!

Sat, 09/06/2014 - 22:50 | 5189683 alexcojones
alexcojones's picture

Knuks, people just don't look up at the sky , with anything bordering on SKEPTICISM.

Sky? Whazzit?

PTB love people with their unquestioning sheeple beliefs.

Chemtrails? You Wacko!  Buy Gold? You Wacko!

Same dismissive mindset

 

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