Watch California Dreaming: The Future of the Golden State

California Dreaming: The Future of the Golden State is an hour-long ABC special that explores the economic, social, and environmental challenges California faces in the coming decades. Hosted by Emmy-winning journalist Chris Cuomo, the show features interviews with experts, politicians, activists, and citizens from all walks of life.

The show starts with an overview of California's strengths and weaknesses. It highlights California's innovation, diversity, and natural beauty, as well as its high living costs, income inequality, and infrastructure problems. It sets the stage for a series of in-depth segments that examine different aspects of California's future.

One segment focuses on water, a precious resource that is becoming scarcer in California due to drought, climate change, and population growth. The segment visits a Central Valley farm that is using cutting-edge technology to conserve water and increase yields. It also talks to scientists who are studying the impact of drought on forests and wildlife, and to activists who are advocating for water justice and sustainability.

Another segment looks at transportation, an issue that affects everyone in California. The segment explores the pros and cons of different modes of transportation, from cars to trains to airplanes. It also examines the challenges of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and congestion while still providing mobility to millions of people.

A third segment tackles housing, a topic that is hotly debated in California. The segment investigates the causes of the housing crisis, including zoning restrictions, NIMBYism, and lack of government funding. It also showcases creative solutions, such as tiny homes, co-living spaces, and community land trusts, that are helping people find affordable and sustainable housing.

The show also includes segments on education, healthcare, and cybersecurity, each of which poses unique challenges and opportunities for California. The education segment looks into the achievement gap, teacher shortages, and technological advances that are changing the way people learn. The healthcare segment explores the rising costs of healthcare, the shortage of doctors, and the potential of telemedicine to improve access and quality. The cybersecurity segment delves into the threats and vulnerabilities that California faces in the digital age, from ransomware attacks to election hacking.

Throughout the show, the host and the guests reflect on what it means to be Californian and how the state's values and traditions can inform its future. They discuss the importance of inclusivity, environmental stewardship, and social justice in shaping California's destiny. They also acknowledge the difficulties of balancing conflicting interests and navigating a rapidly changing world.

The show concludes with a call to action, encouraging viewers to get involved in their communities, vote for leaders who share their vision, and embrace the spirit of innovation and collaboration that has made California such a dynamic and resilient state.

Overall, California Dreaming: The Future of the Golden State is an informative and thought-provoking exploration of the challenges and opportunities facing California. It offers a balanced and nuanced perspective on a complex subject, and it inspires viewers to think creatively and engage in constructive dialogue about the future of their state.

California Dreaming: The Future of the Golden State is a series that ran for 1 seasons (1 episodes) between May 6, 2021 and on ABC