| Global warming is a phenomenon that is way | | | | the Sierras may not be able to hold that much |
| beyond and over the level of awareness of the | | | | water anymore. This spells disaster for |
| man on the street, but whose impact is felt | | | | California's $32 billion agriculture |
| by him wherever he is.in every nook around | | | | industry. San Joaquin Valley produces nearly |
| the world, in our very residences, in every | | | | 50% of the US supply of fruits and |
| geographical location in fact. Everyone is | | | | vegetables, San Joaquin County ranking 5th in |
| starting to feel its impact in our daily | | | | the countries total agriculture production. |
| lives. Already there are indications of the | | | | |
| sad plight of the earth's climate in some | | | | This is a painful eye-opener; global warming |
| areas of the US that are blessed with very | | | | hurts not only the physical environment, but |
| good climate. | | | | also society and the economy. Worst of all |
| | | | realizations is: mildly put, it was initiated |
| There is ample evidence of the effects of a | | | | by human activities and it is perpetrated by |
| changing climate in California, for example. | | | | human indifference. |
| Records show that in the half century that | | | | |
| passed, temperatures in winter and spring | | | | San Joaquin Valley may, for the most part of |
| have been warmer. There has also been a | | | | the year, be dry. Not the case for the area |
| recorded drop in the level of spring snow in | | | | north of the valley. Higher sea levels |
| low elevation to mid-elevation mountains. | | | | (another dangerous consequence of global |
| Blooms show up a couple of weeks earlier, | | | | warming) would pose a danger for the Delta |
| while snowpacks are also melting earlier by 1 | | | | areas like Stockton and Sacramento. They |
| to 4 weeks. This is very much related to the | | | | stand the risk of being flooded, especially |
| worldwide increase of average temperatures by | | | | Stockton which is at sea level. Seawater |
| 1 degree Fahrenheit over the last 100 years. | | | | seeping inland would destroy agriculture that |
| It is important to note that the US is the | | | | thrives on fresh water. |
| biggest contributor to air pollution that | | | | |
| traps heat (CO2 emissions from cars, trucks | | | | Another consequence that is not as highly |
| and industrial plants) and causes global | | | | felt as the effect of global warming on water |
| warming. Such kind of activities is projected | | | | and land resources, is the effect of warmer |
| to be the gauge at how much warmer the | | | | temperatures on the quality of air. San |
| state's climate will become as it is also a | | | | Joaquin Valley will suffer from poorer air |
| scientifically projected that California | | | | quality; as it is, it is shoulder to shoulder |
| temperatures will rise by 4.7 10.5 degrees | | | | with LA and Houston in not so healthy air |
| Fahrenheit in this century. If state laws and | | | | quality. |
| Washington declarations prevail, emissions | | | | |
| could be cut and consequently contain the | | | | These are no laughing matters. Foreseeing the |
| temperature rise to around 3 to 5.6 degrees | | | | dismal developments, state leaders are |
| Fahrenheit. | | | | starting to legislate to address global |
| | | | warming concerns by cutting greenhouse gas |
| In addition to warmer climate, continued | | | | emissions. Last year saw California as the |
| abuse and misuse of the environment can cause | | | | very first state to implement a law limit |
| corollary incidents of widespread wildfires, | | | | emissions of these dangerous gasses. |
| as well as reduced production and quality of | | | | |
| agricultural harvest. | | | | Concerned agencies are also actively advocate |
| | | | awareness of global warming and encourage |
| San Joaquin Valley, according to | | | | helpful measures. The University of the |
| climatologists, may also bear the brunt of | | | | Pacific continually conducts campaigns for |
| global warming. There are existing problems, | | | | the cause. Recycling is highly recommended |
| like water shortage, that can be aggravated | | | | anything from bottles, to cans, to paper. So |
| by climactic change. At present, South of | | | | is lesser driving and the use of fluorescent |
| Fresno for instance, gets only 8 inches of | | | | bulbs over incandescent ones. These are very |
| rain annually; the residents depend on the | | | | simple solutions which can be easily done by |
| melting of Sierra Nevada's snowpack to | | | | everyone, but are usually overlooked and |
| compensate. But this will be where the main | | | | disregarded. If only everyone would stand up |
| problem would lie with warmer temperatures, | | | | to the challenge now! |