… The policy response to water scarcity in California is invariably the same: conserve. Ration urban water consumption with flow restrictors, dual meters, and outdoor “xeriscapes.” Take millions of acres of farmland out of production. Leave higher percentages of water in the dwindling rivers as unimpaired flow. Demolish dams. Make do with less. Neither climate change alone, nor this policy response, is the most accurate description of our challenge or the most sensible strategy to move forward. While few people would deny that our climate is changing, conservation alone is a dangerously flawed approach.