Reference; http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/the-earths-freshwater-reserves-are-disappearing/ar-AA7unOr Excerpt; With drought afflicting several parts of the world, and with aggressive use of groundwater in many agricultural regions, this precious water resource is under serious strain, warns NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory hydrologist James Famiglietti. We're talking about fresh water...potable water...the stuff that is required for life...yet few care about these types of reports. If we stick our heads in the sand eventually all the evil stuff will disappear...and if it doesn't??
have kids that they can't possibly raise properly, drive gas guzzlers, blow all their money (assuming that they even have a job), etc.
We need a National Fresh Water Management System akin to California's. <Doom> Federals <Darth Vadar breath sounds> should improve Fresh Water capture systems, not just draining rain to the ocean. Series of treatment purifying, biologically driven lakes & ponds, purifying the water with each transition. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arcata_Wastewater_Treatment_Plant_and_Wildlife_Sanctuary It really is a beautiful area with boardwalk walkways. No smell of "rot". When the water meets standards for storage, aqueduct it to reservoirs or aquifers. There should be enough water held to aqueduct it to a drought region to support agriculture, people and industry. Such a National Fresh Water Management System would have made a great Public Works Project. And unlike Bernanke Dollars and TARP too, "this" would leave a hard product for the expenditures/debts made. It would also benefit all of "us". And keeping water available is good for business! Moi r > g View attachment 31369 They Hoard N. American fresh water !
With continued population growth, which equals greater demands on potable water, with failing aquifers, with spotty rainfall, knowing that fresh water is a finite resource, and knowing that depleting the aquifers has downside, fact is it's just a matter of time before we are in crisis mode. We have the salt water of the Earth's oceans to desalinate and distribute but Americans seem reluctant. We can build 1000's more reservoirs with hydro-electric power generation but Americans are reluctant. And, as a nation already $17 trillion in debt with deficit spending for years to come, without increasing debt, Americans won't step up and fund these types of programs. This is the identical issue as global climate change in which idiots who look around their surroundings and don't see or experience the potential simply are not interested in the issues. The realist in me says we have options to create more potable water but the pessimist in me says we'll wait until we're so deep in crisis that our options will be futile... BTW: there are several other world nations reaching fresh water crisis, all of which, have an effect on the USA...
The problem with future potable water is one helluva problem. Even more so than the climate changing. I don't expect any real action until its too late and it will cost millions of human lives. That is the way we roll, with our temperament only looking to the next quarter of the calendar. We should invest heavily in the infrastructure of desalinization plants on all coastal areas with the means to move water to the center of this nation. And not wait until the crunch arrives. I wonder if rainfall globally is down? One would think if the earth is warmer than a couple decades ago, there should be more rainfall, but perhaps in different areas. Since we know from nasa that the earth is also greening up with the little bit of co2 being increased, this sounds like those areas are receiving more rainfall than in the past. Given how important aquifers are, one might wanna think twice about building pipelines over ours.
Listen, man, I am a rich fella. I can put any kind of water into my fresh water system and it will come out cleaner than on an ocean liner. I am sorry that other people have not had the foresight to install such a system in their own houses, but - not one more dime in taxes.
If you watched the most recent 60 Minutes, in CA there are places in which the ground level is sinking from 1" to 1 foot per year due directly to ground water depletion! And yes they did mention it is hurting infrastructure such as roads, rivers, etc. I like the idea of desalination plants and distributing the water via pipeline or canal...would be an excellent WPA type program employing millions for many years. Global rainfall is not pertinent since the problem is having rainfall in the right areas... - - - Updated - - - So your motto is since you've taken care of yourself then others need to fend for themselves?
We could probably take care of all our infrastructure problems for the decade cost of just one carrier group. That will only leave us 12 but since the most any other nation has is 1 I think that might be enough.
I will care when the government does. http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/03/20/3416407/nsa-utah-drought/ Till then nope no one cares.
But 'you' are the government...government cannot act without your input...therefore you must care about issues in order to relay your concerns to the people you voted into office...