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HISTORIC RAIN, YET DROUGHT REMAINS <br /> <br /> <br />ORANGE COUNTY GRAND JURY 2022 I 2023 Page 20 of 57 <br />Public Awareness of the Need for Action <br /> <br /> <br />Public awareness of the consequences of current and future climate change is <br />important as a catalyst for adapting to the change. In the past several months, there <br />have been numerous newspaper and magazine articles on water concerns in California <br />and the Western United States. There have also been at least two television <br />documentaries. Many local water agencies have included fact sheets and other <br />information on their web pages and in monthly statements warning of the water “crisis”. <br />These messages have resulted in increased public awareness but more needs to be <br />done. Public education to promote projects to address the crisis is a must. <br />As a result of increased public awareness, water agencies have noticed a decrease in <br />per-capita water usage. The public is using water more efficiently. However, several <br />Grand Jury interviewees noted that we cannot conserve our way out of the drought. <br />Solving Orange County’s future water shortfall through conservation alone would <br />require drastic changes in water usage and would likely meet strong public resistance. <br />Additional efforts are needed to inform the public of potential lifestyle changes if <br />additional water sources and supplies are not developed.