California Gov. Jerry Brown, D, has just been forced to order unprecedented water restrictions on residents all over his state. Although the details have yet to be worked out, they will likely be expected to sacrifice time in the shower and loads of laundry and dishes, or else face fines.

It is difficult for Americans on the East Coast to understand, but water is a constant worry in the American West. Even so, it doesn’t often get as bad as it is now in the Golden State. California is now being hit by a true natural drought — the result of a change in Pacific weather patterns that scientists generally agree is not a result of global warming.