Overview
Climate change is now an observable reality. In California's Central Valley, a specific attribution has been made regarding climate-related groundwater loss. Approximately one-third of the groundwater loss experienced in this region between 2003 and 2024 is attributed to emissions from a group of entities identified as the “Carbon Majors.” This group comprises 122 corporations characterized as the world's largest producers of oil, gas, coal, and cement.
Research Context
The scientific community previously issued warnings about climate change; these warnings have transitioned into observed realities. This investigation focuses on connecting the emissions of specific industrial actors to localized hydrological impacts, particularly groundwater depletion. The Western United States is currently experiencing a water crisis, and this work provides a method to quantify contributions to this crisis from identified high-emitting entities.
Approach
The study introduces a methodology to measure the responsibility of specific entities for environmental impacts. This approach attributes a portion of climate-related groundwater loss directly to the emissions originating from the “Carbon Majors.” The timeframe for this attribution in the Central Valley is established from 2003 to 2024.
Findings
Between 2003 and 2024, approximately one-third of the climate-related groundwater loss in California’s Central Valley was attributable to emissions from the “Carbon Majors.” These “Carbon Majors” consist of 122 corporations that are globally recognized as the largest producers of oil, gas, coal, and cement.
Why This Matters
This work provides a new method to quantify responsibility for environmental degradation, specifically linking major industrial polluters to the worsening Western US water crisis. By attributing groundwater loss to specific entities, it offers a refined understanding of the human contribution to regional climate impacts.