The greater Fresno area has a population of about 1 million people, but that is just a fraction of the entire population of the San Joaquin Valley. By 2050, some studies say the population of the Valley is projected to grow to the effects of 7.9 million people. The questions are raised: How will our Valley sustain such rapid growth? How will a high population affect the environment, and the way we produce agriculture? What about pollution? These are just some of the questions that local officials and Valley leaders are struggling with, as we all must embrace the idea that the San Joaquin Valley is headed for a dynamic and unique change.

Our Valley is as diverse in geological features as it is with human ethnicities. We find rivers, lakes, streams, hills, rich farmland, and booming cities scattered throughout the expanse of land. Ethnicities from across the globe have come to call our Valley home. We speak many different languages, and celebrate with festivals provided by many different cultural groups.

The San Joaquin Valley was formed millions of years ago, and has changed quite dramatically over time. One of the most recent changes to our landscape came by way of water use. The Valley used to be made of wetlands; marshes were scattered throughout, and large lakes filled the Valley floor. The large San Joaquin river flowed along the Valley corridor and into the San Francisco Bay. As settlers began moving into the region, they diverted much of this water towards ditches, canals, and aqueducts; consequently, our environment has been significantly impacted.

At first, this plan produced optimal results. Because of this divergent water system, the farming industry boomed in the late-1800s, and eventually our Valley set the current-day precedence for producing more food than any other region in the world. In just about 150 years, however, high-productivity farming is being threatened because of the inadequate water supply. What started out as a desire to control Mother Nature’s water ways, for the benefit of farming and Valley residents - and to feed the world - is now turning into a major state catastrophe. Farmers are faced with the fact that the amount of water is not the same as it used to be, and in many instances, they are being forced out of the state of California, seeking better ways to farm in such states as Oregon, Idaho, and Texas. Some farmers who choose to stay are adapting to new standards and are embracing a more sustainable way of farming that is environmentally friendly, producing crops without chemicals for pesticides, or growing food that was not genetically-altered for massive yields. But the question remains: Will newer farming practices be enough to feed the exponentially-growing world population?

Overpopulation lends itself to pollution, which is increasing each day. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 82% of Valley residents drive alone to work every day, while only 16% carpool. A study that was published in the book "Our Valley, Our Choice: Building a Livable Future for the San Joaquin Valley " by The Great Valley Center said that the cost of pollution and its impact on Valley health care reaches in excess of $3,000,000, or $1,000 per person, per year. This means there have been 23,000 asthma attacks, 188,000 days of school lost to absence, and 3,000 missed work days lost each year to bad air. We have one of the highest levels of pollution in the nation, and the geology of our Valley contributes to pollution, as well, because of the sharp geological features of the Sierra Nevada mountain range to the east, and the coastal mountain range to the west.

Despite all the negative reports, many Valley residents are happy to call the San Joaquin their home, and because of this, our population will continue to rise, along with the issues of things like air quality and water. Long ago, our present-day Valley was shaped by visionaries such as Leland Stanford, James Porteous, and Martin Theodore Kearney. Stanford helped to bring the railroad through the San Joaquin Valley; Porteous developed the Fresno Scraper which ushered in a new means of irrigating the expansive and fertile Valley floor; Kearney pioneered agri-business. Each of these people lead the way towards positive growth and the settlement of our Valley towns. Our current Valley issues need to be addressed by people who reflect the same vision and forward-thinking mentality as these men, to implement real policies and programs that garner real solutions. Our Valley can only give so much; it is time to re-invent the way we sustain our natural resources, while still providing important agricultural products to the world, and keeping local families and jobs safe.