Environmental Health paper

Summary

The article highlights one of the most contemporary controversial aspects of nature that has befallen California. Basing its ideology on the impact human activities have on the environment, the article depicts that California seems to keep streaming in crops like oranges and tomatoes despite the water crisis that has existed before the draught. Fundamentally, the article airs concerns about the overuse of groundwater by fruit farmers (Gillis & Richtel, 2015). The article also highlights a number of factors that arise as a consequence of this misuse. Being forced to do this by the current climatic conditions and the fact that the Californian population depends, to a large extent on their provisions, the article clearly states that if proper management is not endorsed, the farmers will not be able to function in their capacity in the near future. Sinking of the land surface and permanent damage of saturated layers of sand or clay are some of the consequences of this phenomenon in California. Additionally, Gov. Jerry Brown imposed the first ever mandatory cuts in urban water use through which he exempted farmers who already had to deal with water cuts as a result of their farm activities (Gillis & Richtel, 2015). The article further explores the significance of groundwater to California, citing the drought as a factor that has made its significance even more visible.

The transition between the contemporary situations to a stage of environmental sustainability happens to be the cause of concern for the interested individuals. It seems that it will take too long for the laws initiated to take full effect and remedy the situation. The California case presented in the article depicts a situation in which the people are torn between the significant provisions that arise from farming in comparison to the environmental effects the extensive use of underground water has (Gillis & Richtel, 2015). With an ever-increasing fear that the groundwater sources are depleting, researchers and experts are even more worried that the end of the drought will prompt people to look for survival ways that will further cause harm to the water through global warming.

Criticism

The article highlights a critical aspect and which a number of perspectives are used to support. Given that the article weighs between the depletion of the ground water and the significance of fruit farming activities in California, it is logical that not enough reason is given to establish an acute decision to settle the case. The argument should fully explore both aspects of the argument (Cederblom, 2012) and give the people of California a more realistic and fair picture of the situation. A large number of supporting arguments including the response from the government, expert perceptions, geographical bases and future outcomes have been tabled to support the deteriorating aspect of ground water (Gillis & Richtel, 2015). However, the mere mentioning of dependency to fruits and farmers as well as pressure from the current draught does not fully counteract the argument tabled for the groundwater. It is therefore logical that the argument is biased to inflict more sympathy towards saving underground water than promoting farming in the region.

Despite this critique, the article highlights an important aspect of human-environment interaction that members of the California community must take keen considerations to remedy. To establish a good balance that will help survive after the drought and deep in the future, the people must analyze the arguments presented and come up with the most appropriate approach that will be sensitive to each aspect tabled. In spite of the concern the article highlights as with regards to the environment, human survival is also very important, a part played by the farming activities. Californians actually have a big decision to make.

References

Cederblom, J. B. (2012). Critical reasoning: Understanding and criticizing arguments and theories.

Gillis, J., & Richtel, M. (2015, 4 5). Beneath California Crops, Groundwater Crisis Grows. The New York Times.