Category: California

The cultural and social problems that have aroused from the illegal immigration issue are apparent in our everyday lives. People all around the world, and especially along the Southern border along the United States are trying to emigrate from their countries in hopes of new opportunity for themselves or family. Under the Trump administration immigration into the United States has become slightly more difficult. With increasing tension, immigrants, and outrage it’s inherent that the United States must make a change. Without reform or change to immigration regulations, the issues that come with it are here to stay. The USA have created temporary fixes, and patches to immigration policy, but major change that benefits multiple sides has yet to come. Currently we have thousands of people being held in containment, separated from their families, and thousands more waiting for green cards or citizenships. Every year American taxpayers pay billions that goes towards illegal immigrants, who under law have no right to be in our lands. There is always a side that’s discontent with how the rules are, but without proper change the outraged communities will continue to grow and support their stance. To understand the spectrum of how immigration affects our society we must understand why the immigrants are leaving in the first place. Furthermore, we can depict what these immigrants provide to society, and what new laws/policies could mean for them and America.

Why People Emigrate

The conditions that majority of Americans live by is often one of ease, and comfort. The reality that we see from is often flawed, as lots of the world isn’t as fortunate to live by the same standards. So often the best choice for a person or family is to immigrate into a new country. To understand why emigrating from their home country is often the best option legally or illegal you must understand the social climate of central America. The crime and violence rates of Central America is some of the highest in the world. Kurt vee Beek a president of organization to fix Honduras said: “In 2012, Honduras had the highest murder rate in the world. The country has one of the highest levels of corruption in the world. It is a major center of drug trafficking. Violence, particularly against women, is widespread” (Anderson, 4). Not only in Honduras but in neighboring countries the statistics for crime rates is relatively the same. With high crime rates, the influence of gangs becomes stronger in those communities which cause an influx of families to leave. Gangs rule lots of Central and South American communities, and are always looking to pick up new people, or spread their influence further. The cycle of gang members in and out of society naturally causes parents to seek greater opportunity for their children, many of the time in the United States.

The major factor that affects people coming into the USA is need of employment. The places that most immigrants come from, is that of low economic opportunity. The unemployment rate for all of Central America is roughly 17%, which is a considerable percentage. The amount of jobs available to people are few and far between, especially if you live in an area that’s developing. “If you are poor or live in a dangerous neighborhood there are many obstacles to climbing the economic ladder… You are stigmatized to the place that you are born” (Anderson, 16). The access to education in Central American countries is substantially less than in America. Public schools are either non existing or the education received is not worth the time spent being there. Private schools are often time a choice for these families because it is one of the few options for children to get ahead in life. Kelly Garcia a Guatemalan citizen said: “We see education as an opportunity to come out of poverty. You want your children to have better opportunities”. The access to better education is a driving factor for families to go to the USA due to our access of great public education. The reasons for why people are leaving are varied, but they all revolve around the idea of better opportunity.

The Hispanic Impact

The Central American, and overall Hispanic people that currently live in the USA play an integral role to our society to today. Today there are more than 35 million Hispanics that live in the USA, and they are the most prominent ethnic group other than Caucasian. Although illegal immigrants make up a small portion of this 35 million, their presence is apparent in their communities, and especially in the American economy. With a lack of jobs in their native country, the need for an income is essential to live. However, the ambition for financial success is far greater among immigrants compared to the average American. This often causes lack of employment for Americans who are need these jobs. This is a common occurrence especially in the labor force where documentation is often not needed to get paid. Documented immigrants also play a great role to the work force via green cards. Green cards primarily allow most immigrants to live legally in our country. However new laws that could be passed would only allow immigrants from China and India to get green cards. This would eliminate the entirety of the Hispanic work force within a decade. “If it passes, immigration policy experts estimate that for the next 10 years or so, Indian nationals, as well as a small number of Chinese nationals, would be the only foreign workers able to obtain green cards through employment — a move that would crush US businesses seeking other talented foreign employees” (Madan, 3). This new law would cause a mass deportation of Hispanic immigrants. Not only affecting the service they provide to our economy, but also would hurt the Hispanic culture in America.

The side that many others are taking the like the Trump administration is that of the American taxpayer. Immigrants living America cause taxpayers billions of dollars each year. In a report released by FAIR in 2017, claimed taxpayers “shell out approximately $134.9 billion to cover the costs incurred by the presence of more than 12.5 million illegal aliens, and about 4.2 million citizen children of illegal aliens” at the federal, state and local levels, with a tax burden of approximately $8,075 per illegal alien family member. The $116 million figure included services like health care and education, as well as spending on agencies like U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.’ (Colvin, 15). These services that the government provide are often are essential to live for these immigrants, however at the cost of Americans who spend billions without benefit. The expenses the immigrants oppose on American citizens is one to be considered. These factors among others cause a bombardment of arguments and conflicting sides causing every change to be affecting someone.

Conclusion

The discussion on whether immigration should be allowed is up for debate, however we need change. The social and cultural problems from immigration of not only Central American countries, but the USA is a pressing issue. Everyday new reports, laws, and other news surrounding the immigration issue cause for more outrage surrounding the issue. Even till today only minor and impermanent fixes to our immigration problem have been put in place. The illegal and legal immigrants of our nation are of great controversy. The Trump administration has changed and enhanced the immigration issue to a whole new scale, giving a voice and new perspective to many. Times like these causes for major change in society or is possible a compromise could happen. Whether or not the society gets impacted, the current system under which we run is one that in unethical, unorganized, and wasn’t meant to be upheld long-term. Current regulation doesn’t necessarily apply to today’s standards or lifestyle, without change outrage, riots, and other outbreaks will continue and grow.

Annotated Bibliography

1. Anderson, Stuart. “Why Are People Leaving Central America?”. Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 19 June 2019.
2. Davidson, Ashely. “Fleeing for Our Lives: Central American Migrant Crisis”. Amnesty International USA, 29 July 2019.
3. Hobson, Jeremy. “How the Trump Administration Has Changed Legal Immigration”. How The Trump Administration Has Changed Legal Immigration | Here & Now, WBUR, 23 Sept.
4. Jervis, Rick, and Alan Gomez. “Trump Administration Has Separated Hundreds of Children from Their Migrant Families since 2018”. USA Today, Gannett Satellite Information Network, 2 May 2019.
5. Khafagy, Amir, and Shelter force. “Legal Challenges to ‘Public Charge’ Rule Mount; Communities Prepare for the Worst”. CityLab, 25 Sept. 2019.
6. Madan, Monique O. “This Bill Could End Hispanic Workforce Immigration for the Next Decade. Will It Pass?” Miamiherald, Miami Herald.
7. Reichel, Chloe. “Journalist’s Resource” Journalist’s Resource, 9 Sept. 2019.
8. Wise, Lindsay. “The Other Immigration Morass: A Battle Over Workers’ Green Cards”. The Wall Street Journal, Dow Jones & Company, 7 Sept. 2019.

Homelessness can have a negative impact on mortality, physical health, mental well-being, and substance use (Schanzer, Dominguez, Shrout, & Caton, 2007). After 9/11, donations to the homeless and poor have declined while ordinances against begging and sleeping in public have increased (Arnold, 2004). The homeless individual is unlikely to receive much if any welfare benefits such as disability insurance, unemployment insurance, etc. One of the most striking characteristics of the homeless population is the frequency of criminal activity. Crime is not only a result of homelessness but is also one of its causes. Homelessness is an issue that arouses considerable public concern, with the result that a wide variety of programs have developed in both the public and private sectors to help the homeless, often of a rather innovative nature. Many poor people are at risk of homelessness. Ultimately, this is because it is hard for them to afford to house. Unemployment, housing cost burden, and living doubled up are indications of this struggle to afford to house. “Homelessness in the United States has continued to remain a focus area of concern of social service providers, government officials, and policy professionals since its resurgence”(Zweig, 2004). This decade, saw a new population of those experiencing homelessness: families with children. Natural disasters were also a cause of homelessness. Many people lose their homes to any variety of natural catastrophes including but not limited to floods, forest fires, storms, and earthquakes. In 2005 hurricanes Katrina and Rita displaced over 1 million Americans. Tornadoes destroyed entire towns in Tennessee in 2006. There were also some unexpected emergencies; a variety of people find themselves unable to cope with any number of the following sudden tragedies; being laid off from a long-term place of employment; losing their place of residence to an accidental fire; serious bodily injuries; discovery of terminal illnesses or diseases; loss of family members. These situations usually result not only in significant monetary expenses but also in severe psychological and emotional hardships. Homeless individuals report a lack of affordable housing as the number one reason for becoming homeless. It is generally believed that the increased incidence of homelessness in the United States has arisen from broad societal factors like changes in the institutionalization of the mentally ill; increase in alcohol usage and drug addiction etc (Quigley, Raphael, & Smolensky, 2001). There is now a fuller understanding of homelessness (Lee, Tyler, & Wright, 2010). Homelessness represents an enduring public threat facing communities across the developed world (Fowler, Hovmand, Marcal, & Das, 2019). Since homelessness emerged as a significant problem or a crisis, communities have struggled to respond (Gaetz, Gulliver, & Richter, 2014).

The central principle of the federal plan to end homelessness is the belief that no individual or family should ever experience the instability of living without a home. Ending homelessness may require tailored interventions that are responsive to specific individualized needs. These factors make tackling homelessness a difficult task. Researchers, policymakers and advocates, and other stakeholders agree to the fact that the end of modern-day homelessness is achievable through an approach that will combine evidence, resources, innovative thinking, as well as political will. This is reflected in the United States’ first-ever comprehensive Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness (U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, 2010). Many cities in the United States also have plans to end homelessness. Great strides have been made in recognizing homelessness as a solvable social ill, but much work is needed to realize the goal of eliminating homelessness. Now more than ever, we understand what strategies work to prevent homelessness, and communities across the country are doing their part to end homelessness. But we cannot let these efforts be hindered by stagnant wages, higher rents, and the whittling down of our safety net. There must be an investment in preventative measures such as expanding affordable housing and paying living wages that will prevent us from paying the higher costs associated with crisis interventions. Rectifying homelessness will require both attention to the structural roots of widespread dispossession and some measure of direct action (Hopper, 2014). The aim of the homeless policies of the last decade is not limited to the immediate goal of solving the problem of homelessness by eliminating the homeless (Feldman, 2006).

California’s Department of Finance predicts that by 2030 the state’s population will reach fifty million people; twelve million more than today (Kroll & Singa,2008). Homelessness in California has grown dramatically since 1980, according to both formal and informal estimates (Dear & Wolch, 2016). California has the largest homeless population in the nation. The largest number of homeless people lives in Los Angeles, but homelessness affects most counties, even small and rural counties. Communities throughout California have been experiencing increases in the demand for homeless services. California has experienced an even more dramatic increase in homelessness than other parts of the nation. California’s increased unemployment, poverty, and foreclosure rates, as well as continuing high rental housing cost burdens, for this trend. Most homeless people in California are homeless simply because they cannot afford to house. California experiences multiple risk factors for high homeless rates: high unemployment, high housing cost burden, a high foreclosure rate (which correlates to high unemployment), lack of insurance, and significant housing overcrowding and doubling up. People facing significant barriers to housing stability who are homeless for long periods are unable to remain stably housed, even if given access to housing affordable to them. For these individuals and family members, disability, institutionalization, years of housing instability, and other factors make maintaining housing impossible.

Introduction

The refugee crisis is a global phenomenon that has significant implications for social justice. In recent years, California has been a prominent destination for refugees seeking safety and a better life. This essay aims to provide an analytical examination of the refugee crisis in California through a social justice lens. By analyzing the challenges faced by refugees and the responses from the state and civil society, we can gain a deeper understanding of the social justice issues at play.

Understanding the Refugee Crisis

1. Causes and Displacement: The refugee crisis stems from various factors, including armed conflict, persecution, and human rights abuses. Refugees flee their home countries in search of safety, often leaving behind their homes, belongings, and loved ones. It is important to recognize that these individuals are forcibly displaced and are entitled to protection under international law.
2. Impact on California: California has been a primary destination for refugees due to its diverse population, economic opportunities, and established immigrant communities. The influx of refugees presents both challenges and opportunities for the state. It puts pressure on housing, education, healthcare, and social services, while also enriching the cultural fabric and contributing to economic growth.

Challenges Faced by Refugees

1. Access to Housing: One of the significant challenges for refugees in California is access to affordable and suitable housing. The high cost of living and limited affordable housing options create barriers for refugees in finding safe and stable accommodations. This lack of housing security can lead to further marginalization and vulnerability.
2. Education and Employment: Another critical aspect of social justice is ensuring equal access to education and employment opportunities. Refugees often face language barriers, educational gaps, and limited job prospects. Providing language programs, vocational training, and job placement services can empower refugees to become self-sufficient and contribute to the community.
3. Healthcare and Well-being: Refugees often experience trauma, both physical and psychological, from their past experiences and displacement. Access to comprehensive healthcare, including mental health services, is essential for promoting their well-being and facilitating their integration into society. Ensuring culturally sensitive healthcare and support systems is crucial for social justice.

State and Civil Society Responses

1. Government Policies: The state of California has implemented various policies and programs to address the needs of refugees. These include refugee resettlement programs, legal assistance, healthcare access, and educational support. Collaborations with non-profit organizations, community-based initiatives, and international agencies have played a vital role in providing assistance and support.
2. Community Engagement: Civil society organizations, religious institutions, and community groups have actively engaged in supporting refugees in California. They provide a range of services, including language classes, job training, mentorship, and advocacy. Their efforts contribute to social cohesion, empowerment, and the promotion of social justice for refugees.

Promoting Social Justice

1. Advocacy and Awareness: Raising awareness about the refugee crisis and advocating for policies that uphold the rights and dignity of refugees are crucial for promoting social justice. This includes challenging stereotypes, dispelling myths, and promoting a culture of acceptance and inclusivity within society.
2. Collaboration and Integration: Collaboration between government agencies, civil society organizations, and refugee communities is essential for addressing the multifaceted challenges faced by refugees. By fostering dialogue, collaboration, and partnerships, stakeholders can work together to develop comprehensive and inclusive solutions.
3. Empowering Refugees: Empowering refugees to become active participants in society is a key aspect of social justice. This can be achieved through language and skills development, access to education and employment, and creating spaces for their voices to be heard in decision-making processes.

Conclusion

The refugee crisis in California presents significant social justice challenges, including access to housing, education, healthcare, and employment. Addressing these challenges requires a multi-dimensional approach involving government policies, community engagement, advocacy, and collaboration. By promoting social justice principles of equality, dignity, and inclusion, California can create a more just and compassionate society that embraces refugees and supports their successful integration.

California is an American state filled with 39.5 million residents. It’s high populations makes it the most populated and diverse state in the U.S. With its vibrant food culture, revolutionary technology, music and films, and beautiful landscape, it is no surprise that California is such a beloved state.

The golden state is a favorite because of its many amenities. In the North, there are various attractions, such as, Alcatraz, Sutter’s Fort, Historic Parks, Walt Disney’s Family Museum, many zoos, and so much more. The attraction I cherish the most is the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Despite the amount of times visited, the aquarium still seems to bring amazement. The South holds numerous activities one would want to add to their bucket list. For example, Santa Monica Pier, Pacific Coast Highway, Hollywood, and beaches. My favorite vacation is in Southern California. Disneyland holds a beloved place in my heart. If I could visit with Mickey Mouse every day, I would.

Not only will an individual never run out of activities to do in California, but if a citizen lives in Stanislaus County, they are conveniently placed within an equivalent radius to everything. If desiring to go to a beach, take a day trip. Take an excursion to the mountains for a quick expedition. Any attraction can be reached in less than a few hours. Alongside convenience, Stanislaus County also comes with safety. Natural disasters are hardly reached in the Central Valley. Tsunamis, tornadoes, avalanches, and hurricanes are unheard of for the valley. Earthquakes can hardly be felt. The only catastrophe that is common in the valley are wildfires. The wildfires can impact the air quality harshly.

Wildfires can affect human health alongside with the air condition. Nonetheless, this natural disaster isn’t the only thing poignant in the condition of the ozone. Citizens of California are doing just as much harm. Society causes air pollution every day without even giving a second thought, for example, performing an immense amount of driving exceedingly. Yet, these things are easily manageable. Before taking a short drive, consider walking or finding an alternative transportation. When having to use a vehicle, attempt to carpool as much as possible. While driving, pay attention to the tendency of acceleration. Although vehicles are not Eco friendly, there are car options that are low-polluting and can run electrically.

Electric cars are environmentally friendly in relation to vehicles, yet, electricity in general does not benefit air conditions. Excessive consumption of energy in a household is damaging. Nevertheless, there are easy solutions. Use lights to the minimum, choose a fan over air conditioning, or microwave rather than a stove. So many simple actions can create a better life for an individual and their neighbors. But damage to the air isn’t only occurring through actions at home. The workplace can be just as guilty. Those who print or photocopy, should be using both sides of the paper. Also turning off equipment that is not being used would be beneficial. Bountiful amounts of these actions can become second nature and help the environment extremely.

California’s air quality and nature’s well being is being damaged everyday by meager actions done by citizens. Nonetheless, the air contamination can be reduced and provide a better quality of life for those who live in California. Citizens need to conspire to protect the air they breathe, and the Earth they walk on.

California is known for its contrasting weather patterns. These distinct patterns are often caused by climate change that has affected California’s water for decades. California has a large amount of oceans, streams, rivers, and lakes which have played a big role on the natural landscape as well as overall climate. According to our textbook, in chapter two of ‘The Natural Setting’, it discusses the shortage of water as well as drought history in California and what impact that has had on the hydraulic system. The Elusive Eden goes into great detail regarding California’s prolonged water shortages and what impact that has on the natural surroundings as well as the lack of rainfall. It also demonstrates the complex drought patterns in California and how that aspect plays a significant role on water quality. California by far has the most conflicting climate changes than anywhere else in the United States because of the differing climate as well as landscapes; this has caused California to have tons of droughts almost every year. Most of the time a drought happens when there has been a declination of water or a decrease in rainfall for a significant amount of time which can last for months or even years. California has often had to deal with a tremendous amount of water management issues due to its distinctive climate and lack of rainfall. This long-term challenge will continue to persist in the state of California. A combination of water shortages as well as a growing population have only added to these complications making it difficult for California to create laws or ideas that would combat these long-term issues. The hydraulic era was established to create a system that balances the changes in population as well as the overall economy while focusing solely on water management issues in California. California’s large growing population flood and water policies needed to be changed in order to cover a large distance. Water companies have faced a number of challenges trying to create working water policies due to the states changing ecosystem and constantly have to come up with new strategies to adapt to these changes.

One of the first conflicts the hydraulic era faced was the ever-changing climate in California and aiming to come up with solutions in order to solve an ongoing water crisis. Growing cities all over California have fought for new water policies in order to suit their ever-growing population. California had trouble dealing with new environmental statutes. Water companies aimed to transform water management policies to suit the environment. According to ‘Floods, Droughts, and Lawsuits: A Brief History of California Water Policy’ it states, “In the Water Commission Act of 1913, however, it endeavored to devise a comprehensive system for regulating water rights. The act created a State Water Commission with the power to issue permits and licenses to govern the exercise of water rights” (Floods, Droughts, and Lawsuits, page 37). This quote shows what policies California used in order to stop conflict caused by the hydraulic era. The Water Commission Act of 1913, was one of the first water policy acts in California and paved the way for water regulation as well as water usage. Not only were there laws surrounding water shortages, the court had to protect aquatic life as well as water quality in order to keep the state’s water sources well accounted for and clean. The amount of water use was an ongoing concern in court as well as how much water could be used during a shortage or a long-term drought.

The federal government took charge in the next step of the hydraulic era by looking at two of the state’s largest water sources. This led to the Boulder Canyon Project and the Central Valley Project which help to transport water from the mountains to the cities and farms. The Boulder Canyon Project was a large dam that allowed the United States to dominate this large river and use it as a main water source to help provide water to cities as well as farms. This helped to grow agricultural as well as provided more than enough water to crowding cities in California. California’s large growing population caused the Colorado river quickly dry up killing fish, wildlife, leaving more of a puddle than a lush stream. California’s large water demands caused many conflicts in which the Colorado river could no longer keep up with the state’s growing population. The Central Valley Project, was influenced by farmers who needed a large amount of water to satisfy their crops. This water was taken from the Sierra Nevadas, however due to large acres of land the San Joaquin Valley relied solely on groundwater which was detrimental to the valley’s aquifers. During this time California was in the middle of a large drought as well as the midst of the Great Depression which had a significant impact on the state’s economy which made it near impossible to fund the Central Valley Project. The sole purpose of the Central Valley Project was to control flood management, water supply, and control where water was sent to. According to ‘The PPIC Article/ Hydraulic Era/ Managing California’s Water from Conflict to Reconciliation’, it discusses how the Central Valley has continued to expand which has led farmers without surface irrigation to water their crops because of this groundwater has been limited. A significant amount of conflicts have arisen from this issue. For example, the creation of new pumps and drilling has led to decline in groundwater.

The management of California’s groundwater has been a persistent issue for water management. The history of California in the twentieth century is the story of a state inventing itself with water, it discusses the important elements of groundwater as well as the issues of water management in California. This article discusses the ways California has aimed to adapt to water shortages as well as what led to the water management. California’s diverse range of climates has a significant impact on natural precipitation that could lead to a drought for months or potential flooding. The climate isn’t the only cause for the lack of natural groundwater in California. California’s natural landscape ranges from mountains, terrains, deserts, great valley, and the coastal plains which have a significant impact on water policies as well as water management. Due to California’s diverse landscape the state relies heavily on groundwater in order to meet water supply needs. California uses more groundwater than any other state in America which is a concern considering this over use causes the natural groundwater table to lower which results in wells not being able to reach the water. When too much of the groundwater is used this can cause the land to subside meaning there’s not enough support from water below the surface to hold up the ground. Overuse of groundwater can often times cause waters in streams and lakes to dry up killing animals and reducing natural water sources. This can also lead to deterioration of natural water quality, contaminating the area and polluting drinking water throughout the state.

The hydraulic system has had a huge impact on the state’s water supply and has faced a large amount of issues for decades. California has struggled to keep up with water policies and has often faced a number of problems trying to adapt to California’s climate and large population. The hydraulic era was an era of conflict in California considering water companies had issues developing strategies to keep up with California’s high demands, environmental statutes, and issues with overuse of groundwater. The state has faced a number of problems trying to keep up with California’s diverse landscape which has often led to long term droughts affecting the amount of water supply within the state. Not only has the climate played a large role during the hydraulic era the creation of water policies and keeping up with California’s high demands have created a significant amount of problems. California will continue to face a number of challenges when dealing with the hydraulic system and will have to continue to find a solution to fix these long-term issues.

Works Cited

1. Bullough, William A, Irwin, Mary Ann, Orsi, Richard J, Rice, Richard B. Chapter One/ Managing California’s Water. Elusive Eden. 2012.
2. Ellen Hanak, Jay Lund, Ariel Dinar, Brian Gray, Richard Howitt, Jeffrey Mount, Peter Moyle Barton “Buzz” Thompson. PPIC Article/ Hydraulic Era/ Managing California’s Water from Conflict to Reconciliation. 2011.
3. William L. Kahrl, Water and Power. The History of California in the Twentieth Century Is the Story of a State Inventing Itself with Water. 1982.
4. Sarah Null, Eleanor Bartolomeo, Jay Lund, Ellen Hanak. Managing California’s Water Insights from Interviews with Water Policy Experts. February 2011.

According to my earlier point, Mostly drought is caused by climate change. Due to greenhouse gas emissions trap heat, causing global temperatures to increase. Moisture will be absorbed by hot air, resulting in less rainfalls. Reducing water in lake or river is occurred by evaporation in the hotter air. The consequence is reduced rainfall that makes the plants die. Normally plants retain moisture in the soil, if they die, it will lead to even drier conditions. According to NOAA, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA), explained that climate change is a major factor in the western of US for a long period time of drought.

Drought affects people in several ways. According to lacking of water which is counted to be an essential material to our life, people will experience to unavailable for consuming water that will affect to human health respectively. And water is also needed for crops to grow. If the plants are not get enough water from rain, We need to use the water from irrigation such as from the groundwater, lakes or dam. During drought, these water sources are reducing because of human consumption and may even dry up, crops are eventually died from not being irrigated or watered them. Moreover, Drought affects water transportation because it make the water evaporate, lead to amount of water in the river or lake is less than the normal level that we can use the boat or ship to transport and also being the cause of wildfire too.

Besides, using electricity production as an energy from plants is another problem that need to concern because during a period of drought, this energy may not enough and eventually unavailable for using, due to this energy needs cooling water to keep safe procedure. In the future, drought can be ruined to an area’s economy and can cause to human’s bad health. For instance, California drought, California has experienced to drought for 2 times. First time, the drought that leads to snowmelt ended with rainstorms in February 2017. Then, the drought reappeared in 2018, leading to massive wildfires. Aridity make people use 40%-80% of water supply from irrigation. So California nation’s fruit and nuts would be affected. The California drought cost an estimated $3.8 billion in 2014-2016 which are the two worst years of drought. According the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, mostly, droughts will increase in subtropical regions, such as the U.S. southwest, Australia and parts of Africa and Europe, due to increasing global temperature, Earth become warming causes more evaporation and changes weather patterns, altering the paths of storms that bring abnormal rainfall.

The water crisis in California is a complex issue that has been prevalent for many years. The crisis Californians are facing is not going away any time soon, and it has only gotten worse. California, one of the largest states, is faced with being in a long-term drought and is one of the biggest agricultural states that provides billions each year in revenue. The farming aspect is one piece of the puzzle that coincides with how to regulate how much water farmers should get and how to allocate enough for the state’s communities. Another part of the problem is the drought which is not going away and has been exacerbated by continual dry years. The state has regulated farmers, and California, which gets a lot of its water from the mountains, is being sent out into the Pacific Ocean for environmental purposes. Water is one of the most complex problems in the state, causing many to either have access to limited amounts or, in some cases, communities to be left dealing with contaminated water. The dispersal of water throughout the state is a challenge and adds the farming aspect to it. There are limited solutions because of the amount of water that farmers use, which is forty percent which is a large sum. When it comes to big cities like Los Angeles and San Fransisco, there will only be a few more years until there is a large-scale problem in how many years are left until having little to no rain will be acceptable. This issue affects all Californians, and I personally have a connection to this issue because my family is involved in water law which plays a very significant role in this crisis and helping to fix it. Water lawyers and other individuals such as politicians and advocacy groups will continue to eliminate policies to deal with the rise in population.

The drought the state of California is in has been prevalent for years now and has gotten worse year by year. A part of California’s problem has had relatively dry years, and big cities such as San Fransisco and Los Angeles are in big trouble in terms of how long they can last with these dry years ahead. It is a problem that will burst in years to come for the big cities. The drought brings on disasters for California, such as what has struck the state in the worst possible way, which is the fires. These fires are more prone to occur when it is very dry and when there is little to no rain. In other words, “the engineering that made settling west possible may have reached the bounds of its potential” (Pro-Publica, 7). The size of California has to do with the drought and the use of crops that demand lots of water makes it even harder to solve the problem since California is one of the largest agricultural states. The government is sending large sums of money to compensate communities, and they are concepts such as converting ocean water into drinking water, which is being done in various areas throughout the state. Desalinating ocean water is currently happening and the city of San Diego is using this method to allocate more water for their city, this is one of many solutions that will be able to manage the drought problem in California. Ultimately, the drought in California affects more than just Californians, it affects the country’s profits, which is a long-term underlying issue. Due to the lack of water, certain agricultural crops that are not valuable in little amounts and use a lot of water should be grown in states with a large sum of water. This concept would save the water needed for the most valuable crops and help even out the use of water. The overall rights of water use are mismanaged and policies in place may cost double what it would be in another city depending on the policies in place.

In terms of the water crisis, another aspect of the problem is overpopulation, which is a large part of the problem. California is an overpopulated state with repercussions such as long-term problems that cause chaos in how much water is available after the farmers get their piece of it. Overpopulation is something that will continue to get worse as the state gets bigger and illegal immigration is fueling the fire. The state of California can barely manage those in the state as it is, and with more coming to the state illegally, it is making it a more significant challenge to allocate resources such as water throughout areas of the state, and overpopulation means water will be a very pricey commodity in the near future. There has been an increase in population that has grown by millions from forty years ago when it was a sign of 10 million. The state will continue to grow and the areas that are not enriched with water are suffering because most of the population is in regions where the water is not. Most of California’s water is up north, and as you continue to go south, there is much less water accessible. Another example of the issue with water being mostly in the non-populated areas is: “Close to two-thirds of the state’s population is bunched in a few water-dependent coastal cities” (Sewall, 8). This textual evidence expresses the issue of positioning where the majority of the population of California is in regards to how the water is in an opposite area, which is an issue at hand.

The water crisis is fueled by the number of water farmers use, which is a large portion of the water each year. There have been many steps to regulate how much water farmers use and charge large amounts on a certain amount of water they use, limiting some use, but some farmers still use more water than they need. The problem is that “water is a scarce source that must be allocated; the best way to allocate any resource is to ensure that it goes to the highest valued use” (Lazear, 11) This exemplifies how water, among other things, should be appropriately allocated, and this needs to happen to cut down on the use of water and make sure it is used correctly without wasting the supply of water. The most important aspect of California is water and the use of water which is used as a way of power, especially in the Central Valley of California. The Central Valley being the largest part of California’s farming industry is home to key suppliers of products such as Wonderful Pistachios and Cuties which are known worldwide. These large-scale operations take up a lot of water, and this is just to name a few who have operations that are thousands of acres. For example, farmers get more than seventy percent of the water that is available, which is outrageous when you consider factors such as industrial use and use in major cities. Farmers are critical to providing the food we eat, but for many years farmers used the method of flood irrigation that used a lot of water and is part of the reason why farmers are to blame. This method of flood irrigation uses way more water than needed to water crops and now with today’s technology it has become more scientific and the water methods can reduce water waste. There are automated systems that utilize sprinklers that make it easier to water crops. Some crops make farmers a lot of money and our specialty items such as pistachios but this is a crop that is not really necessary in providing a crop that is needed.

Mathematics Supporting the Theory of Global Warming

In California, summers are hot, so wintertime is used to store water supplies for the rest of the year but with temperatures rising and we as humans ignoring this effect, we underestimate the risk of extreme events. The increase in global temperatures significantly increases the chances of weather extremes like droughts and heatwaves occurring. For example, in 2014, California experienced an extensive heatwave and low precipitation. Although climate change does not cause droughts, it intensifies the severity of a drought. Since we are ignoring these extremes, studies using multivariate copulas have been used for assessing the relationship between climate variables and extremes. Multivariate copulas are important because they can be used for deriving probability occurrence and return period of dependent variables. In California during 2014, the state experienced not only drought that the state has yet to recover fully from, but it also experienced high temperatures, wildfires, and even snow drought. Researchers formed data by calculating monthly precipitation and temperature values from 1896-2014 (AghaKouchak 1).

Using Weibull’s approach, the researchers sorted from the most extreme to the least extreme with a univariate return period of an m-ranked extreme event in an N year. So, it is estimated as T=(N+1)/m but the concurrent extreme return period analysis is based on the concept of copulas designed to model the dependence of multiple variables. The researchers assumed two variables to be X (precipitation) and Y (temperature) with the cumulative distribution functions F_X (x)=Pr⁡(X≤x) and F_Y (y)=Pr⁡(Y≤y) and using the copula (C) to obtain their joint distribution function: F(x,y)=C(F_X (x), F_Y (y)). In other words, the joint distribution of X and Y is F(x,y)=Pr⁡(X≤x, Y≤y). Now the researcher continues to solve and from the joint distribution function, obtains the joint survival distribution using the concept of survival copula giving the function F ̅(x,y)=C ̂(F ̅_X (x), F ̅_Y (y)) where F ̅_X and F ̅_Y are the marginal survival functions of X and Y, and (C ) ̂ is the survival copula. Next, the researcher acknowledges that there is a set of realizations of X and Y that share the same probability. The survival return period of X and Y is defined as follows K ̅_XY=µ/(1-K ̅(t)) where this is defined as Kendall’s return period assuming µ >0. K ̅ is the Kendall’s survival function defined as K ̅(t)=Pr⁡(F ̅(X, Y)≥t)and referencing the survival copula, Pr⁡(C ̂((F_x ) ̅(x),(F_Y ) ̅(y))≥t). Finally, by inverting Kendall’s survival function associated with K ̅(t) at the probability p=1-µ/T, the corresponding survival critical layer can be estimated q ̅=q ̅(p)=K ̅^(-1) (p) where q ̅ is the survival Kendall’s quantile of order p. Now that we have Kendall’s quantile, the corresponding survival critical layer presents the set of realizations sharing a joint return period T (AghaKouchak 2). In addition, various copula groups are sufficient in finding the return period analysis. In this analysis, the author uses the t copula that led to a significant p-value that provided 95% confidence (AghaKouchak 2-3).

On the other hand, California has experienced extreme droughts that were worse than the one in 2014 including the worst one recorded in 1977. This argument supports the theory that climate change does not cause droughts but makes them more severe because, in 2014, the mean temperature of California was over 10°C which only happened in 1940 and 2013. Furthermore, the year 2014 was the highest recorded mean temperature in California. In January 2014, California experienced a heat wave that gave the state summer weather during one of the coldest months of winter usually experienced by California (AghaKouchak 3). The problem is when an extreme condition occurs combined with another nonextreme condition, it is possible that the compound extreme event could have significant impacts on the ecosystem and environment (AghaKouchak 3-4).

What happens when the phenomenon occurs? The more severe the extreme condition combined with a nonextreme condition, the longer effect it has on the ecosystem. Using the survival copula, talked about before, the conditions in 2014 appear to be a 200-year extreme event which means that this event has the probability of a .5% chance of ever happening again. However, the 1977 extreme event was originally classified as a 120-year event but turned out to be only a 50-year event (AghaKouchak 4). Therefore, the original definition of return period is used to determine the risk of an extreme event, but the purpose of this article is that due to global warming, the chances of concurrent droughts and heat waves increase! Therefore, the true probability of the 2014 event happening again could be much sooner than we realize (AghaKouchak 5). Considering the 2014 California drought and showing the univariate return period analysis based on the precipitation (which is used in hydrology ) drastically underestimates the occurrence probability of the 2014 California drought because they do not consider global temperature. This conclusion is extremely significant because, for regions like California where a drying trend continues to occur, it could have impacts on the ecosystem, water availability, energy production, and agriculture industry. The largest effect of looking for a solution is that farmers are demanding water supply so that they can feed the nation clash (AghaKouchak 5). In California, droughts are increasing and having an enormous effect on the ecosystem but simultaneously the occurrence of wildfires continues to grow as well.

Introduction:

The California drought, one of the most severe and prolonged water crises in the state’s history, has captivated public attention and raised questions about its underlying causes. In recent years, theories linking the High-Frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP) to the California drought have emerged, suggesting that the program’s activities may have contributed to the water shortage. This analytical essay aims to explore the connection between HAARP and the California drought, examining the scientific evidence and evaluating the validity of these claims.

Body:

Understanding HAARP:

The High-Frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP) is a research initiative jointly funded by the United States Air Force, Navy, and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). Its primary objective is to investigate the ionosphere, a region of the Earth’s atmosphere that plays a crucial role in global communications and weather patterns. HAARP utilizes an array of high-frequency antennas to emit radio waves into the ionosphere, studying the effects on radio communication and weather phenomena.

HAARP and Weather Modification:

Proponents of the HAARP conspiracy theory suggest that the program’s activities may be capable of influencing weather patterns, including causing or exacerbating drought conditions. However, the scientific consensus strongly refutes these claims. Experts argue that HAARP’s radio waves have insufficient energy to manipulate weather systems on a large scale or induce drought conditions in specific regions like California.

Natural Climate Patterns and the California Drought:

The California drought is primarily attributed to natural climate patterns, including the persistent high-pressure system known as the Pacific High, which blocks storms from reaching the region. These natural climate patterns, such as the Pacific Decadal Oscillation and El Niño/La Niña events, have a far greater influence on the state’s water availability than any potential effects of HAARP.

Lack of Scientific Evidence:

To date, there is no empirical evidence linking HAARP’s activities to the occurrence or severity of the California drought. Extensive scientific research conducted by meteorologists, climatologists, and atmospheric scientists has failed to identify any causal relationship between HAARP and drought conditions. The consensus among experts is that the California drought is primarily driven by natural climate variability and long-term precipitation patterns.

Misinterpretation and Conspiracy Theories:

The connection between HAARP and the California drought often stems from a misunderstanding of HAARP’s capabilities and the complex factors influencing weather patterns. Conspiracy theories tend to thrive on misinformation and cherry-picked data, often neglecting the vast body of scientific research that refutes their claims. It is crucial to critically evaluate sources and rely on scientific consensus rather than speculative and unverified information.

Conclusion:

The claim that HAARP’s activities have caused or exacerbated the California drought lacks scientific evidence and is not supported by the consensus of experts in the field. The California drought is a complex phenomenon driven by natural climate patterns and long-term precipitation variability, such as the Pacific High and El Niño/La Niña events. HAARP’s research on the ionosphere does not possess the capability to manipulate weather systems on a regional scale, nor does it have the energy to induce drought conditions.

While conspiracy theories may capture public attention, it is essential to approach such claims with skepticism and rely on scientifically sound evidence. The focus should be on understanding the natural climate patterns and developing sustainable water management strategies to mitigate the impacts of droughts in California and other vulnerable regions. By fostering a scientifically informed discussion, we can better address the challenges posed by droughts and work towards sustainable solutions for water resource management.

The Aftermath of the Overpopulation in California

California is changing, and not always for the better. water is becoming scarce, open spaces are filling in, traffic, pollution, and overcrowding are all common concerns that affect daily life in California and the biggest factor contributing to California’s decline is simply; too many people. Much of L.A. County in earlier days was characterized by ranches and agricultural land, including numerous citrus groves and open space, but little by little it has given way to vast residential and commercial development. In 1940, more than 53,000 people called the seaside community of Santa Monica home. Today the population is more than 90,000 as the city continues to cater to more and denser development. With relentless growth, hundreds of miles of California coastline have been developed.

Once vast open space, the Pacific Palisades and Santa Monica now are highly built up as are Hollywood and Beverly Hills. In earlier days, Beverly Hills was home to a Lima Bean farm today the Beverly Center a mega shopping destination, sits on land that had previously been enjoyed as an amusement park. post-World War II exuberance and pent-up demand spawned suburban tract homebuilding that has continued for decades with today’s larger single-family homes adding significantly more square footage. San Francisco – once the gem of Northern California, has fallen victim to overcrowding and urban sprawl.

One of San Francisco’s greatest treasures; Golden Gate Park is now surrounded by dense urban life. The last remaining wilderness area in San Francisco; San Bruno Mountain, is also encircled by development. The Bay Area with its sprawling subdivisions even inspired a popular 1960s song with the lyrics: … they’re all made out of ticky tacky and they all look the same – (“Little Boxes”, Pete Seeger)

Crowds have become commonplace in California. the 1950s and 60s were known as the Golden Age of air travel. closed in 1959, the Glendale Grand Central Terminal was the first Airport to offer service between Southern California and New York. today San Francisco International Airport and LAX are among the top ten busiest airports in the United States. California schools once among the best in the nation now suffer from overcrowding. In 1946, there were 2.3 million registered vehicles today there are more than 31 million. More traffic and ever-expanding freeways have become the norm in many California cities today. Besides producing untold driving angst, the relentless traffic and congestion in California cost lives and billions of dollars in increased public health expenses according to the Harvard Center for Risk Analysis. Even in non-urban areas traffic can be a problem, for example, the traffic on I-80 from Sacramento to Lake Tahoe in both summer and winter can be horrendous. As the population continues to rise California historically one of America’s bread baskets continues to lose more and more farmland.

California’s Central Valley includes the San Joaquin Valley, the Sacramento Valley, and the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. This area produces about 25% of the nation’s food on about 1 percent of all U.S. farmland. At the current rate of farmland loss in the San Joaquin Valley, an estimated 500,000 acres will be lost to development by 2050. Increased population has also changed the way we farm and raise animals for food, some of these changes have led to environmental problems and health concerns. For example, large industrial operations and overcrowded feed Lots have led to nitrate pollution and more than 100,000 square miles of polluted groundwater in California. Increasingly developments are built in areas with steep mountainous terrains opening up the potential for devastation in the event of natural disasters. Rapid population growth in fire-prone areas has led to the loss of lives, livestock, resources, and property and it is often the cause of the devastation. Also devastating are the floods, erosion, and landslides following a fire.

Development in coastal and low-lying areas, common in California is also prone to natural disasters. For example, a magnitude 9.2 earthquake in Alaska generated a 20-foot tsunami wave that flooded low-lying areas and river valleys in Northern California killing 11 people. California has spent billions of dollars to bring water to what was previously desert. Increasing human demand has been at the root of water shortages and is the motive behind the need to seek out new resources. Known for its natural beauty and lauded by naturalist John Muir, Hetch Hetchy Valley in Yosemite National Park was flooded for a dam to provide water to San Francisco and surrounding areas, today there was a movement to remove the dam built in the early 1900s and restore the earlier pristine environment, how this proposal will play out with ever-increasing water demands is unknown.

Drought conditions common in California, further exacerbate California’s water shortages. According to the NASA Earth Observatory, in 2010 Lake Mead reached its lowest levels since 1956. In California electricity consumption alone is projected to increase by 15% by 2024, primarily due to population growth. Surfing is synonymous with California, but pristine beaches were from an earlier time, today surfers have to be cautious. According to Heal the Bay’s 23rd annual beach report card, 14 California beaches got D or F grades due to high bacteria counts, commonly linked to urban runoff which can cause stomach flu, ear infections, and skin rashes. Shipping at the Port of Los Angeles has grown from 633,000 units in 1982 to 7.9 million units in 2013. While many think of smokestacks and their accompanying air pollution as a thing of the past, they’re still with us, but today air pollution assaults our environment and lungs in insidious new ways. The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are the single largest source of air pollution in Southern California with asthma rates for children living in port-adjacent communities almost twice as high as the rest of the U.S. California has eight of the ten most polluted cities in the country. In an earlier California, schoolchildren didn’t have to contend with the chemicals that some students are exposed to today. The air outside California schools in Berkeley, Beverly Hills, Coachella, Fresno, La Quinta Long Beach, San Mateo, Visalia, and Wilmington registered high levels of benzene chloroform or carbon tetrachloride; concentrations high enough to cause serious illness or increased cancer risk with long-term exposure.

Smog hasn’t gone away, even with advances in clean energy technology because of the rapid level of population growth in the state. As the population continues to rise, so does our waste. Of California’s 29.3 million tons of waste generated in 2012, 99% went into California landfills with approximately 1% exported to landfills in other states. Although the state has a goal of 75% recycling, the average Californian still generates about 4.3 pounds of trash daily, and more than half of that trash ends up in landfills. Despite recycling efforts and good intentions, with a large population, a significant amount of trash also winds up on beaches and in the Pacific Ocean. There’s little way around the fact that nearly 40 million people, all consumers, will generate a lot of waste of all kinds and, it is discouraging to learn that according to the London School of Economics study, if each of us living in a highly developed country reduced our carbon footprint by 40 % over 40 years, all of that will be canceled by our present population growth rates alone. California is the most populous state in the nation and the human population continues to increase.

Increasing population means more demands on resources such as land and water which are needed by native plants and animals too. According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, habitat loss due to human population growth presents the single greatest problem facing native plants and animals in California. California has an estimated 6,500 plant varieties native to the state, many found nowhere else in the world. These plants are essential to healthy ecosystems and natural processes, providing valuable renewable materials and other benefits. Loss of habitat and habitat fragmentation are contributing to the decline of many native plant populations. Some 26 species of California plants may now be extinct in the state and some plants have been so severely reduced that they are at risk of extinction. Some of California’s iconic redwood trees are more than 2,000 years old but today more than 95% of the old-growth redwood forests are gone. The Giant Sequoias are the largest trees on earth and among the oldest living things in California found only in the Sierra Nevada air pollution from the neighboring Central Valley threatens them.

Today California has 300 endangered or threatened animal and plant species, with habitat destruction due to overpopulation a major cause. By 1987, the entire surviving population of condors in the wild had plummeted to a mere 22. Through tremendous efforts today numbers are higher, but the Condor remains one of the rarest birds in the world. Human development continues to impact California’s mountain lion habitat. Freeways cut off the mountain lions’ range and can prove lethal when the big cats try to cross them, residential development further fragments their habitats, and pesticides and other chemicals people use can poison them, all these factors contribute to the decline of these apex predators. The California grizzly also known as Golden Bear, dominates the state flag but is nowhere to be found in the 31st state to join the union. It was hunted to extinction by earlier California residents. This is one more cautionary tale for us, are we going to continue down an unsustainable path of growth and development? or can we take the necessary steps to solve the overpopulation problem we face? What can we as individuals do to help save some of America and some of California for tomorrow?

Individuals can make a difference in terms of the personal choices we make as parents and consumers and in how we work to affect broader political and economic policies. We can be advocates and educators on behalf of California, U.S., and world population stabilization. Personal decisions to limit our demographic impact by limiting our families to a sustainable size, or using resources more judiciously will make no difference unless people and large enough numbers think it is important enough to behave similarly. Take a stand and speak out forcefully to news media, politicians, and environmental groups. Tell the media that the environment is important to you and that overpopulation especially in California threatens to overwhelm it. Make politicians and environmental groups accountable. Tell them that they will get neither your donations, nor your votes or membership unless they acknowledge the connections between immigration, overpopulation, and the natural environment California is still one of the best and most beautiful places in the world, help us preserve all that we can for the future.