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> if there is no water

False condition. California has plenty of water, as evidenced by its wasteful farming practices, which consumes 80% of it [1]. As with most of its problems, California’s retail water “shortage” is a policy choice.

[1] https://water.ca.gov/Programs/Water-Use-And-Efficiency/Agric...



Significant part of the agricultural water comes from the central valley aquifer system which is being pumped much faster than it is replenished. Adding more population in permanent settlements won't help mitigate the problem.


> agricultural water comes from the central valley aquifer system which is being pumped much faster than it is replenished

Sure. They’re still wasting the water.

> more population in permanent settlements won't help mitigate the problem

It also won’t meaningfully worsen it. Water is simply not a real barrier to development in California.




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