Brian Devon

California is experiencing the worst drought in its 163 year statehood. I live in Northern Calif. We have had exactly one day of rain the entire autumn and winter. There is very little Sierra Snowpack and Ski resorts are closing (this is January, not June).

For those who have been paying attention, man-caused carbon emissions have long been predicted to cause massive weather extremes around the world. It was not predicted that there would be universal warming. What was predicted was that there would be regional climate disasters. Climate prediction is an incredibly complex science, that involves numerous feedback loops related to
ocean current temperatures, ice pack, and too many other variables to list in this post.

What would be the big repercussions if the high pressure ridge, parked off the coast, doesn't budge?

1. It would be a disaster for all Californians. If California becomes a modern day dust bowl, the state's 38 million people would have to migrate to other states. Their departure would cause trillions of dollars in real estate value to evaporate. Many of the biggest U.S. banks would be ruined.

2. The cost of fruits and vegetables would rise dramatically for much of the U.S.

3. A California exile would dramatically raise demand for housing in other states and drive up their housing costs.

4. 38 million people departing from a very blue state will cause numerous red states to turn blue. Californians don't like living in extreme cold, so the southern "red" states would be the most appealing.

5. The population and financial dislocations would trigger a national depression, which would make the 1930s pale in comparison.

6. The high pressure ridge would cause Calif. bound rain to be routed up over the western mountains and cause flooding in much of the east. The climate disruption will actually cause more ice and snow (and paradoxically) cold events in the east. Like I said, feedback loops are complicated.

7. Conservatives in other states would do well to refrain from gloating. If the nation's boat develops a large hole, ALL of its passengers will get extremely soaked. "Do not ask for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee."

An endless sunny summer is fun...until its not...

lpnmajor Loc: Arkansas

It is unfortunate that the term " g****l w*****g" was coined. Although that is certainly one of the consequences of carbon emissions, it was misleading. C*****e c****e should have been used instead.

The shift in the Gulf Stream is what is causing record lows and snows on the East coast and drought in the west. This was predicted some years ago, but due to special interests, the science was dubbed a myth. Now, in California, they see it's consequence, they can't myth it.

Puds Loc: So Centrl MN

"C*****e c****e" has overwhelmed and minimized the tragedy
promoted with bi partisan policy of unsustainable water con-
sumption. The C

Ricko Loc: Florida

Brian-for someone to gloat about problems of any kind in another State is short sighted and foolish. California is a beautiful State but it is in financial trouble to the extent that people are moving out. The cost of living is sky high and with a 14 billion dollar deficit, taxes will either have to go up or services will have to be curtailed. Adding a drought to the mix has serious adverse effects for the country as a whole but is disastrous for California. What recourse does legislature have to alleviate the financial burden ? It is understandable that retirees and businesses can relocate but the person with a family and a job may not have those same options. I believe public sector union demands play a significant role in driving local governments and States to the brink of bankruptcy . Believe limiting unions to the private sector would serve the country better. Good Luck America !!!

Puds Loc: So Centrl MN

"C*****e c****e" has overwhelmed and minimized the tragedy
promoted with bi partisan policy of unsustainable water con-
sumption. The Colorado River no longer reaches its mouth. In
the great plains we have drained and tiled, then tilled the wetlands and waterways that have recharged our aquifers for
thousands and thousands of years. There are areas in the mid west where the water table has dropped as much as 90 feet. We allow the application of chemicals and fertilizers that help to increase yields, but do not enforce even the guesstimates of harmful amounts. Those chemicals that are not absorbed for crop benefits(?, are not drained as concentrate into our water ways then serve to contaminate
shallower aquifers first, then deeper aquifers as we create voids from withdrawal to avoid our contamination above. Desal in maritime areas has proven to create its own environmental problems. International treaties contain
water rights, even between the US and Mexico. We and our children and grandchildren won't have to worry about the
overshadowing emotion of the media and government reaction to "c*****e c****e." Our unsustainable and i***tic treatment of dwindling freshwater resources will get us first.

Btfkr Loc: just outside the Mile High City

I'm sorry did I miss something? How did we get from the topic of Global C*****e C****e to Unions?

Btfkr Loc: just outside the Mile High City

:thumbup: :thumbup: :(

Ricko Loc: Florida

bftkr-easy -California has more than climate problems. We probably cannot do much about c*****e c****e causing the drought but can we not address what is driving people out of California other than the drought? Good Luck America !!!

Brian Devon

You're right. My wife for years has complained about climate concerns being inappropriately viewed as universal g****l w*****g. "C*****e C****e" should be the correct label for carbon footprint concerns.

:thumbup:

Brian Devon

You are right about our misuse of water resources. Both c*****e c****e and water depletion actually fall under the umbrella issue (unintentional pun) of overpopulation. Too many people chasing too few resources is a disaster.

We are experiencing human "overshoot". Its what animal populations do, when their overpopulation depletes the resource base. Sane people believe that all animal populations have resource limits. Republicans and bible believers suffer from the "cornucopian" delusion, that God and venture capital have a magical ability to provide for an ever-expanding population.

The cornucopians appear to be losing the argument and they're pissed that the Prius is more popular than the Hummer.

Btfkr Loc: just outside the Mile High City

I guess I would change the statement "probably cannot do much about c*****e c****e" to "it's probably getting too late to do to much about c*****e c****e". If we keep going on the course we are going, the exodus from California for economic reasons will be but a spit in the bucket and will not be the only exodus in the world. Remember, the correct term is GLOBAL C*****e C****e. Good Luck World!!!

Btfkr Loc: just outside the Mile High City

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Constitutional libertarian Loc: St Croix National Scenic River Way

The statement is correct but yes I wondered the same thing.

Comment Loc: California

I migrated to calif 50 yrs ago for opportunity. It was there and I have taken advantage of it. Calif. has been ruled by democrats for the last 100 years and it 's social policies have been driving out the industrious while the under educated are moving in to glean the welfare. Calif. is on an unsustainable path. Democrat Detroit, Democrat Calif.

Puds Loc: So Centrl MN

Minnesota, New York, Illinois, etc. We are being bankrupted and
our ability to solve REAL problems is being destroyed through bi partisanship at every level. Our elected elites from both dominant parties sell their v**es to gain pork.