By Adam Enomoto
Staff Writer
California’s drought has definitely impacted the citizens of California, including the students of Mira Costa. The drought affects every single community in California negatively because of rising costs for watering and bathing. It may seem like Mira Costa students have everything perfect here in the South Bay and at Mira Costa, however soon every student will notice a drastic change in the raise of water bills. Students should help prevent even furthering the drought by taking shorter showers and being much more conscientious of water usage.
California is now in the death-grip of a brutal, record-breaking drought. According to the national journal, farmers in California’s Central Valley, the world’s most productive agricultural region, are paying as much as 10 times more for water than they did before the state’s record drought cut supply. Because citizens are now paying increased prices for water, people may notice a large change in their budget. This shows how much the drought has negatively affected everyday shopping.
According to junior Tyler Maruyama, he noticed that his parents have been watering the lawn far less because he said his family thinks it’s unreasonable to pay high water bills. Many parents and students of Manhattan Beach have noticed the immediate effects because their water bills have been growing exponentially. With bills rising and the water surplus decreasing, citizens must know how detrimental it is to waste water.
Another factor relating to the drought is the continuation of wildfires. Most students are familiar with wildfires, however have no personal experience with them. Students may have noticed difficulties with these constant bursts of wildfires. Even though most citizens have not witnessed any wildfires, the community should understand how poor the drought conditions are in other counties and cities. By understanding the effect of the drought on California, students may be able to comprehend how much of a necessity it is for each and every person to conserve water.
According to junior Zane Crandall he saw the grandeur of the drought when he visited Big Bear Lake and was able to marvel at the water level being so low. First hand experiences like these are necessary to understand California’s current problems.
Most Costa students do not understand that natural water reservoirs are drying up and that can have permanent effects to the environment. Students need to do as much as much as they can to help preserve these reservoirs before they dry out. For example students can take shorter showers or not water their lawns so frequently. By doing so, students are helping to conserve water and not waste it.
According to climatologist and water expert Peter Gleick from National Geographic, many people may understand the drought, but they won’t start to seriously regulate their water usage until there is a dire reason for them to. However citizens must save water now because the drought is only getting worse and worse.
Because this drought affects everyone in California, citizens must learn to be able to conserve water today due to these drastic circumstances because this drought has no clear end in sight.
According to a major paper released Monday by Stanford scientists, It’s reported that Southern California’s drop in water usage is nearly not as steep as the rest of the state. Because of this, there should be more regulations such as strict water usage and higher prices on water usage to put Southern California back with the rest of the state.
California can still reduce its water usage because more and more people are becoming educated on how to cope and adapt to the changes. Students must start today by taking shorter showers, watering plants minimally, and to be aware of how detrimental it is to waste water.
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