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