Jerry Brown

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Climate Change in Politics

Rogers, P. (2015, July 29). Climate change: California poll finds Republicans don’t see global warming as serious threat. Retrieved August 11, 2015, from http://www.mercurynews.com/drought/ci_28558424/climate-change-new-poll-finds-californians-support-more

 

Governor Jerry Brown’s proposals to combat climate change are now going through the state legislature, and Democrats as well as Independents are overwhelmingly supporting them, however Republicans are far behind. All the respected scientific agencies affirm the existence of climate change, however many Republicans deny its existence as the ways to fix the issue would go against many of the ideals of the party. Water levels at the Golden Gate have risen 8 inches in the past century and forest fires are increasing.

This article shows not only how climate change is a part of environmental science by mentioning the sea level rise and forest fires, which are both drastic to environments, but how environmental science is also a social science. People decide to believe if statements are true if they fit with their current beliefs and ideals, which I must do as well, but it is difficult to understand how people can negate such a large problem.

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Well Water Metering? Not on My Land, Says California Landowners

Wee, H. (2015, May 13). Well Water Metering? Not on My Land, Say California Landowners. Retrieved August 24, 2015, from http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/california-drought/well-water-metering-not-my-land-say-california-landowners-n358296

Dry years have led to an increase in groundwater pumping. Unfortunately, groundwater is a nonrenewable resource. Gov. Jerry Brown signed in a law requiring local districts to measure the amount of groundwater in their vicinity. This is seen as the first step to requiring private landowners to report the amount of water they’re pumping. Many view the groundwater under their land as theirs, and many are angry at the prospect of being forced to report the amount of water they’re pumping. However, decades of groundwater extraction has lead large amounts of land sinking. As the drought worsens, more and more people are applying for water and drilling permits. Meanwhile, those who already own pumping mechanisms are pumping deeper and deeper. Limits on groundwater pumping are expected to come sometime in the future.

This issue involves a variety of topics relevant to environmental science. Private landowners think that the groundwater is theirs, and therefore they may pump as much as they want to. In reality however, groundwater flows, meaning that one water pumper is most likely “stealing” groundwater from another person’s land. Pumping is also collapsing land, affecting everyone. The question is, does the government have the right to regulate groundwater pumping? The groundwater is, after all, on private property. I believe that they do, since groundwater is a nonrenewable and easily exploitable resource. Private landowners fail to understand Tragedy of the Commons and that groundwater is a community resource. Without intervention, groundwater will be used up and land will sink severely.