In a sharp break with the policy of the previous administration, US Energy Secretary Steven Chu used his first major interview to warn of catastrophe if drastic action is not taken to curb global warming, dpa reported.
Speaking to the Los Angeles Times Wednesday, Chu warned that farms and vineyards in California, which is the nation's leading agricultural producer, could vanish by the end of the century as a rise in temperatures destroys the Sierra snowpack that is the source of most of the state's water.
"I don't think the American public has gripped in its gut what could happen," he said. "We're looking at a scenario where there's no more agriculture in California."
With California already struggling with a three-year drought, Chu warned that the water shortage would not just affect agriculture. "I don't actually see how they can keep their cities going" either, he said.
Chu said that he sees public education as a key part of the administration's strategy to fight global warming - along with billions of dollars for alternative energy research and infrastructure, a national standard for electricity from renewable sources and legislation to limit greenhouse gas emissions.
He compared the situation to a family buying an old house and being told by an inspector that it must pay a hefty sum to rewire it or risk an electrical fire that could burn everything down.
"I'm hoping that the American people will wake up," Chu said, and pay the cost of rewiring.