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Warming Will Wipe Out Calif. Agriculture: Energy Sec.

Top US producer faces disaster without swift action on climate change

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 4, 2009 11:35 AM CST
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(Newser) – Energy Secretary Steven Chu sees dire effects of global warming, particularly on his home state of California, he tells the Los Angeles Times. Some 90% of the snow in the Sierra Nevada mountains, a vital storehouse for water used in farming and cultivation, could disappear, he said. “We’re looking at a scenario where there’s no more agriculture in California,” Chu said.

“I don’t think the American public has gripped in its gut what could happen,” Chu continued. A study last year estimated the state has $2.5 trillion in real estate, including farmland, endangered by warming. Critics called Chu’s warning far-fetched. “Computer model predictions of the year 2100 are simply not evidence of a looming climate catastrophe,” said GOP Sen. James Inhofe.

Energy Secretary Steven Chu.
Energy Secretary Steven Chu.   (AP Photo)
A California field.
A California field.   (AP Photo)
A California vineyard.
A California vineyard.   (AP Photo)
Frost-damaged merlot grapevines are shown at a vineyard in the Stag's Leap Wine District in Napa, Calif.
Frost-damaged merlot grapevines are shown at a vineyard in the Stag's Leap Wine District in Napa, Calif.   (AP Photo)
A California hydrologist reads the depth of the snowpack in the Sierras.
A California hydrologist reads the depth of the snowpack in the Sierras.   (AP Photo)
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It's a breath of fresh air. We've been worried about the impacts of global warming for years, even decades. He's absolutely right—California stands to lose so much in our way of life. - Bernadette Del Chiaro, Environment California, on Chu's comments

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 13 comments
Guest
Feb 5, 2009 3:11 AM CST
Don't worry your pretty little head about this, infidel. Just keep enjoying your life and make sure to have lots of children and grandchildren and remind them that Spring comes in February...oh wait, for the grandkids, tell them it's January. Thanks.
Guest
Feb 5, 2009 3:09 AM CST
I call it an increase in Global Weather Entropy -- greater highs, greater lows -- weather that's SO much more exciting for humans than it's been in quite some time. I think that's what the global warming opposers mean -- that they would enjoy the new weather a lot more than the old, so bring it on! Nature will adjust and humans will also...though there will likely be a nice chaotic adjustment period.
Newser001
Feb 4, 2009 3:29 AM CST
Ok, you've made your points... let's move... OK?

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Telegraph (UK)

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Drought could make things bad this year
San Francisco Chronicle

Green • Politics • US

 
climate change • agriculture • California • global warming • water • James Inhofe • Sierra Nevada • Obama administration • Steven Chu

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