I’m still trying to wrap my head around this, but apparently, the Trump administration has decided to drain a whopping 2.2 billion gallons of water from California’s reservoirs, because, why not, right? According to reports, this move is supposed to help farmers in the Central Valley, but I’m not buying it (literally, I’m not buying any of the agricultural products that will be produced with this water, because, priorities).
And let’s not forget the environmental impact of this decision, which will likely be catastrophic, because, you know, who needs wetlands and wildlife refuges when you have cows to feed? But, hey, what’s a few endangered species when there are votes to be won and campaign promises to be kept, right?
But, I mean, what’s the real motive behind this decision? Is it really about helping farmers, or is it just another example of the Trump administration’s climate change denial policies? I’m no expert, but it seems to me that draining reservoirs in the middle of a drought is not exactly the most brilliant idea, environmentally speaking.
And don’t even get me started on the bureaucratic red tape that will undoubtedly ensue, because, you know, who needs efficient governance when you have lawyers and lobbyists to pay? But, hey, at least the lawyers will get paid, so that’s a plus, right? (I mean, who needs access to clean water when you can have access to a good lawyer?).
But, in all seriousness, this decision has the potential to devastate entire ecosystems, and I’m not just talking about the fish populations that will be affected (although, let’s be real, who doesn’t love a good salmon fillet?). I’m talking about the long-term consequences of playing politics with the environment, and the soil erosion that will inevitably follow.
And, can we talk about the energy consumption required to pump all that water? I mean, I know we’re trying to reduce our carbon footprint, but apparently, that’s just a myth perpetuated by tree-hugging hippies. But, hey, who needs clean energy when you can have gas guzzlers, right?
But, I guess what really gets my goat is the utter disregard for public health and wellness that this decision represents (because, you know, who needs clean drinking water when you can have bottled water?). I mean, it’s not like we’re talking about safe drinking water standards or anything (oh wait, we are).
And, can I just say, what’s next? Are we going to start drilling for oil in the Grand Canyon? I mean, why not, right? It’s not like we have any national parks to preserve or anything (oh wait, we do). But, hey, at least we’ll have cheap gas, so that’s a plus, right?
But, seriously, this decision is a disaster waiting to happen, and I’m not just talking about the environmental impact (although, let’s be real, that’s a big part of it). I’m talking about the economic consequences of playing politics with the environment, and the human cost of ignoring public health and wellness.
And, finally, can I just say, what’s the point of even having a Environmental Protection Agency if we’re just going to ignore their recommendations and scientific findings? I mean, it’s not like we have a climate change crisis to deal with or anything (oh wait, we do). But, hey, at least we’ll have tax cuts, so that’s a plus, right?