Drought Emergency Declared in California

The state of California has formally declared a drought emergency due to a lack of winter rainfall and water reserves at only 20 percent of normal levels.

With 2013 the driest year in recorded history in California and no significant rainfall in the forecast, Gov. Jerry Brown recently described the state’s current condition as “a mega-drought.”  This is the third year of dry conditions across California and poses a threat to the state’s economy and environment.

Below is a statement by Juliet Christian-Smith, climate scientist in the California office of the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS):

“The current historically dry weather is a bellwether of what is to come in California, with increasing periods of drought expected with climate change. Because increasing demand and drought are straining our water resources, we need to adopt policies that address both the causes and consequences of climate change.”

Drought Emergency Declared in California