Late Great State?

A head's up: an interesting discussion on the enviro-social fate of California has developed in the Whoop comment thread. Is California doomed? Can it be saved? Check out what people have already posted below, and feel free to comment after that.

Comments

[simon]

Two things on that discussion (sorry I am not Californian)

First a question about Californian politics (I guess a polisci degree always shows). Not living there, I am wondering to what extent environmental problems are "active" issues in state politics -considering they are not really hot in national politics.

Second, an observation. I am from Québec where we actually have lots of water. But last week, the provincial government talked about deciding whether we should start export water. Now, we already export bottled water, which from what I understand provides protection against NAFTA agreement. But exporting it untransformed (by tankers or pipelines) would mean that water would be consider as every other natural resource: merchandise, to which trade agreements apply.

Now, the reaction here was interesting; complete refusal. But the very same day of that announce, the most important group opposing exportation of water –from which you expect harsh opposition- was calling for an inventory (!) of the water there is here. That means we do not even know how much water there is but still oppose its selling by principle. Does that mean anything thinking of the broad picture?

I guess that questions the possibility of cooperation between groups or people when a resource goes missing. And, is that Hobbes smiling there?

[DM]

Regarding cooperation among groups of people over vital issues such as water: the short answer is consider sentiment up here in Northern California over all past, present and future schemes to send "our" water to the Southland. Not always a pretty picture...

Can California be saved? Hmmm...Several things are needed to give us a better chance. First we would need a complete overhaul of our state government, constitution, and everything we have done to make it harder for our legislators to legislate. Second, we Californians in general, would have to finally pay attention regularly and care about what happens in Sacramento. We are very good about ignoring our state government, and then overwhelmingly supporting a "slash and burn" solution to our festering problems. If and when this ever stops, our state will have a better chance of dealing with its many woes.