Don't stop worrying about water

The rains that have poured down in the Bay Area for a week have brought us a lot of rain, but not so much that we can stop conserving water. That's the word from water experts as reported in the S.F. Chronicle today. One year with plenty of rain--and it's too early to know whether we have that yet--is not enough to end a drought that's been going on for three years. It took three dry years to get to the point we are at now and it will take at least two or three years to build up enough water for a while. The truth is, we will never be secure about water. The climate in the Bay Area was not arranged for the convenience of all the humans who live here, not if they insist on maintaining green lawns and exotic gardens planned for far different climates. Let's face reality. If we want to enjoy the benefits of our mild climate and almost-always sunny skies, we have to change our habits to suit our location. Don't let a few days of rain make us forget that cooperation with nature always works better than fighting against it.

www.tcktcktck.org

Keep current with Copenhagen, what people are doing, and what we can do right now by visiting http://www.tcktcktck.org/. Climate change is one subject well served by the immediacy of online content. Go now and often.

Then, as you convert from your 2009 calendar to the one for 2010, mark Saturday, January 30, for the League of Women Voters of the Bay Area's annual Bay Area League Day — this year entitled “Big Steps, Little Steps to Addressing Climate Change” — in the Metro Center at 101 Eighth Street in Oakland, next to the Lake Merritt BART Station. Learn more and register. LLII.

Necessary reading

Every day, it seems, there is more disturbing news about global warming, and today's installment is a blockbuster. Governor Schwarzenegger has released a backup plan for the state based on various assumptions about how high water levels will reach by 2100. Most people agree that we should take steps to control the speed with which climate change is coming, but just in case we don't work fast enough, we need to consider various scenarios that might occur. The article in today's S.F. Chronicle includes a slide show of pictures, the most chilling of which is a map of the Bay Area regions that will be underwater of the worst-case scenario happens. No one likes to consider the possibility of losing coastal beaches, homes, and businesses, but every citizen should take a look at what the possibilities are. It makes our small sacrifices to slow climate change seem even more imperative. Think about New Year's resolutions now!

More changes coming

As if we didn't have enough to worry about with the budget and healthcare, a report on what climate change will mean to California warns that we mustn't forget climate change. Even if all the measures to control greenhouse gas emissions are taken, the gases already circulating in our atmosphere will remain for 100 years of more. California must prepare for higher temperatures, eroding coastlines, and water shortages. The California Natural Resources Agency has released the draft report. A final report is expected in the fall. Now is the time to think about lifestyle changes Californians will need to take to conserve water supplies and to reduce the amount of money spent on rescuing homeowners who insist on building in areas threatened by floods and coastal erosion. Being a good citizen means more than just voting in elections, it means being willing to give up some of our habits to ensure that our neighbors and our children will be able to enjoy California as much as we do.