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That makes a lot more sense for orchards (which are widespread in California) than for grapes, tomatoes, lettuce, etc. (which are also widespread in California)
by maxlybbert 11y ago
That makes a lot more sense for orchards (which are widespread in California) than for grapes, tomatoes, lettuce, etc. (which are also widespread in California).
For the record, I've lived in several places with water shortages since I was a teenager. I believe every one placed restrictions on certain activities (no washing car at home, water lawns only on designated days, no water for ornamental ponds, etc.) instead of simply raising the price of water.
I believe California could fix its problem with a lot less trouble by letting the price of water reflect its supply and demand.
- seanflyon 11y ago> letting the price of water reflect its supply and demand. Which would force a significant reduction in agricultural water use.
- maxlybbert 11y agoYes, exactly. Partly by running unprofitable farms out of business (well,out of agriculture); partly by encouraging farmers to grow crops that don't need as much water; partly by encouraging farms to watch their water use. But the people making the decision would be people who know how much water their crops need, what the alternatives are, how profitable their crops will be in six months, etc. I simply don't have much faith in across the board cuts. That is, I agree that water needs to be conserved. But I think there's a better approach; namely, letting the market work.