Public Perceptions of California's Exceptional Drought

• Published in: Journal of the American Water Resources Association 2019-12, Vol.55 (6), p.1564-1571
• Main Authors: Heeren, Alexander, Pathak, Tapan B., Matlock, Teenie, Conklin, Martha
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agricultural management; agriculture; Communication; Demographics; Demography; Drought; fire; Perceptions; public participation; sociology; water conservation; Water management; Water use
• ISSN: 1093-474X; 1752-1688
• DOI: 10.1111/1752-1688.12791

While the exceptional drought in California ended in 2017, the state is expected to experience similar droughts in the future. Understanding how individuals perceive the causes and consequences of drought will help frame future communication and planning efforts. We surveyed a panel of Californian residents about their perceptions of the 2012–2017 drought. We found a major disconnect in how our respondents perceived drought and water use. Respondents perceived the drought as being caused primarily by climatic factors and underestimated the role human water use, particularly agricultural use, had in exacerbating drought. Comparing our respondents across the state and across socio‐demographics, there were few differences in concern about drought but several differences in how residents thought drought should be managed. Such research can help water managers communicate about the specific concerns the public has about future droughts, as well as address misperceptions about the relationship between drought and water use. Research Impact Statement: Comparing respondents across the state there were few differences in concern about drought but several differences in how they thought drought should be managed.