Students raise awareness of harsh drought

California Gov. Jerry Brown made a “crucial step” toward conserving water on March 1 due to the recent drought. Brown signed a bill into law costing approximately $687 million that will be used to expand the usage of recycled water, the recapturing of storm water and an improved organization of underground water storage. 

The school has also started to make efforts toward conservation by asking teachers and students to report any leaks and be mindful of not wasting water.

Senior Amelia Troyer, the president of the Green Commission, agrees for the necessity for change. 

“Now that we are entering a period of increasing weather severity, we need to recognize that our lifestyles are going to change along with it, and we can go willingly or resist and face far more serious consequences,” Troyer said. 

Since California has the nation's most agriculture, the drought has far-reaching effects. Consumers can expect prices of fruits and vegetables to skyrocket in coming months.

Sophomore Michelle Shen, co-president of the Environmental Club, expects an increase in cost for produce as well as the price of water. 

“I think people don't realize the severity of the drought because it only indirectly affects them. The people who are really getting hit hard are those who own large farms and produce our food,” Shen said. “Eventually, though, we will get affected when prices of fruits and vegetables go up and the water bill is higher.”

Troyer said that the drought itself is only a warning of more to come.

“While we must consider that next year is supposed to be an El Nino winter and bring us a lot of water, statistics show increasing severity in wet and dry areas and it is up to us to preserve what we have before it becomes even more scant,” Troyer said. “Surely in the next few years our weather systems will fluctuate, but the overall trend is undeniable.”