First, locals started arguing about oil. Some folks, see, want to leave it in the ground, but other folks want to pull it up and out into the sunlight, where they can actually use it—and make money off it.
Add to that the fact that some folks want to regulate how, whether, if, and when oil can be extracted. That’s pretty much the basis for Measure P, which would put restrictions on the oil-getters throughout the county.
Then, the whole state started arguing about water.
Actually, the state’s been arguing about water for a long time. Longer than any oil issues.
But most recently, the argument has been focusing on groundwater. Some folks, see, want to leave it in the ground, but other folks want to pull it up and out into … hey, wait a minute.
Yes, this is all starting to sound somehow familiar.
On Sept. 16, Gov. Jerry Brown made some friends and some enemies when he signed a measure that focuses on groundwater. Specifically, it regulates how, whether, if, and when water can be extracted.
Why all the tension?
That depends on who you ask. But if you ask me—and you’re already reading my column, so why not—I’ll say that it’s because both oil and water are finite resources, even if they don’t look like it to the average so-and-so.
One day, sooner or later, we will run out of oil. Pretending like we won’t is ridiculous. And when it’s gone, we’re going to have to give up our oil-dependent lifestyles whether we’re ready to or not.
One day, sooner or later, we will run out of water. I’m talking about clean, usable water. And when it’s gone, we’re going to have to give up all of the produce, meat, and other delicious foodstuffs that depend on so much of the liquid resource.
People, I know, don’t like to give up what they know and love. And right now, this culture loves its cars and fast food. As long as one fluid or another is bubbling up from below, producers will be able to satisfy a good many folks’ cravings.
But that’s not going to last forever.
The Canary suggests flying everywhere. Send comments to canary@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Sep 18-25, 2014.