Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Water Issues Again (Still)



Time is running out (or maybe has already) for the decision makers to decide to come down on the side of the environment and save the world for our grandkids. I heard some jerk this morning say “I’ll vote for anybody who will take out the EPA”. Smart. Real Smart. This same moron probably would scream “SOMEBODY DO SOMETHING!!!” if his favorite fishing hole dried up, or his favorite hunting place burned to the ground or his favorite grouper sandwich costs 50 bucks.
Fresh water is not in short supply. It is just not falling where it used to fall. Wonder why? I don’t. Sure, it will rain again in the drought areas, and dry up in the flood areas, but the trend line is bad news. And for you conservative types that put national security at the top of the pile, check out this from U.S. Intel Head James Clapper as he gives this assessment to the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence:
“On Drinking Water Resources: Shortages, Floods Will Hurt U.S. National Security
During the next 10 years, water problems will contribute to instability in states important to U.S. national security interests.
Water shortages, poor water quality, and floods are unlikely to result in state failure. However, water problems combined with poverty, social tensions, environmental degradation, ineffectual leadership, and weak political institutions contribute to social disruptions that can result in state failure.
Now and for the foreseeable future, water shortages and pollution probably will negatively affect the economic performance of important U.S. trading partners.”
Oh my. Not only floods and droughts, but terrorism too. All because 10 or so years ago somebody listened to the Koch brothers instead of Al Gore. Tisk, Tisk.
Image: Lake Sidney Lanier in Atlanta Georgia. http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2009/08/16/us/DROUGHT3_600.jpg

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