(NewsNation) — Despite record-breaking rainfall in California, 80% of the water is being lost to the oceans due to inadequate infrastructure, raising questions about the state’s preparedness for the ongoing drought crisis, according to a recent report from the Los Angeles Times.
NewsNation’s Leland Vittert highlighted the dilemma, pointing out that instead of harnessing the abundant rainfall to replenish vital reservoirs like Lake Mead and Lake Powell or filling newly constructed reservoirs, California has failed to invest in a robust aqueduct system for water capture and storage.
“This is part of a larger problem,” Vittert explained, “where billions of dollars have been allocated towards renewable energy initiatives in the name of climate change, yet very little has been directed towards essential infrastructure needed to address the consequences of a changing climate.”
Gernot Wagner, a climate economist at Columbia Business School, stressed the importance of both mitigating and adapting to climate change, acknowledging the necessity of trade-offs in allocating resources effectively.
However, Vittert highlighted the apparent misallocation of resources in California’s case, emphasizing the significant investments in renewable energy projects compared to minimal spending on water infrastructure.
Wagner countered by mentioning the bipartisan infrastructure plan, which allocates substantial funding for resilience and infrastructure fortification. Yet, Vittert remained skeptical, citing California’s missed opportunities to capitalize on recent rainfall events.