Climate Change and What it Means
By Jim Stavis

As I write this newsletter, we have had our fifth consecutive day of triple-digit temperatures across the Southland and the summer season has just begun. It seems to me that the West Coast more closely resembles the Southwest in climate each year. And yet more and more people keep migrating west. For much of the country, our weather is considered quite boring. Only in SoCal can a light drizzle become “storm watch” on local television. And we all know what a little precipitation does to our freeway system. Californians are generally wusses when it comes to weather. Droughts and wildfires may well turn out to be the least of California’s concerns if some scientists’ projections of climate changes come to fruition. First to fall victim would likely be our ski season. You probably didn’t even know we had one. But this does affect our local snow pack, which is a source of water. Ultimately it could impact the Sierra Mountains snow pack, which we depend greatly upon for our water. While experts differ in opinion on what global warming’s effect will be, the general consensus is that temperatures will rise 3-10 degrees statewide by century’s end. This could have a dramatic effect on our animal and plant life as our climate becomes more arid. And what effect could the climate change have on us Californians? Most of us are here because of the weather, the lifestyle and the

unlimited opportunities. How would the climate change impact all of that? Many of our businesses have operations where employees work outdoors. With workers in construction, children in schools, and laborers in agriculture, we may have a workforce that is unable to cope with these escalating temperatures. During these hot days, many of us barricade ourselves indoors and crank up our air conditioners. We sprint from our homes to our air conditioned cars and then to our air conditioned offices. This is if we are lucky enough to have such privileges. Unfortunately, there are many who do not. To support the additional need for air conditioning, there will be a greater drain on our already outdated power grids. This may lead to rolling black outs like we had a few years back. Furthermore, we will need to step-up our water conservation efforts as our limited sources of water will literally dry up. Sounds rather bleak. Generally speaking, I tend not to be an alarmist. I have always believed that solutions will emerge to solve the problems of our day, one way or another. But as I endure another day of intense heat with no end in sight, it reminds me of that famous axiom, “If you can’t stand the heat, then get out of the kitchen.” Or, at least, turn down the oven.