It ‘s almost biblical: the apocalyptic images of fires sweep through communities. The worst drought in history, followed by crushing floods dams and levees. homeless camp. Power outages for millions of people. If this is the “end of California as we know it” and the result of a “failure to live sustainably,” as suggested New York Times opinion writer Farhad Manjoo? The state “ungovernable” (The Economist) and “collapses” failed experiment (Forbes)? we suffer the inevitable consequence that some experts have gloated right, a “series of silly, unrealistic political decisions” (Rich Lowry, National Review) and democratic attempts at social engineering (Travis Allen, San Francisco Chronicle)? In another era, Joan Didion poetically described a future in California, who “always looks good in the golden land, because no one remembers the past. That’s where the warm wind blows and the old ways do not seem to be relevant.” The hot wind still blows, now brace spread consuming threaten all of us. remembers only enough to understand the past, and how California has failed, that is no longer a leader for our future can be. What we thought we knew about yesterday, the climate, energy and water systems, housing, transport, education, no longer serves us. But the idea that the failures and challenges of California are unique, it is wrong. What happens here offers all Americans an overview of failures and challenges in the United States as a whole. California fires worsening seem deterioration of the cyclones and floods that plague the rest of Florida and the Gulf Coast. The homeless problem in California is difficult and unresolved, but certainly not unique to the Golden State. America has never happened shame that deep poverty, even if they took the richest nation on the planet in the attack. California uncertain and hesitant steps towards a future of zero-carbon energy are the same steps to hang the entire planet the damaging legacy of 150 years of burning fossil fuels and must be reversed. The imperfect state, but real commitment to social and cultural integration is, but the only actions it takes a fad or a whim a real fair, just and democratic society. Answering California chooses to their problems or be a guide for the rest of the country if it is correct, or a warning if it fails. It is not just for small things, such as closed straws or plastic bags. The state has led the way in renewable energy more, a real reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, the nation’s top automotive standards, the rapidly growing electric car technology and the restoration of rivers and natural ecosystems in motion. These are all the efforts of the political and corporate status quo tend to threaten; The efforts that have made the target was Donald Trump small tweet and substantial legislative and regulatory attacks. The good news is that California is an economic powerhouse-by some measures the fifth largest economy in the world. The state is increasingly driven by one of the racially, ethnically and socially diverse population in the world is a strength, not a weakness. The fire will cancel that power continues to decline, and the debate on how you react. When Mark Twain visited London was in 1897, he started a rumor that he had become ill and then died. To reporters questioned, he wrote: “The report of my death was an exaggeration” Reports of the death of California, or his dream, is an exaggeration. Instead of a death certificate signed or maliciously is the worsening challenges in California, the rest of the country and the world should start taking lessons from California: Watch to see the challenges as the state responds hope we manage and plan their actions accordingly. Image Copyright Phil Pacheco / Bloomberg Getty Images
When it comes to adaptation measures, such as California goes, so … the world
