Friday, August 02, 2013

Global Water Shortages Grow Worse But Nations Have Few Answers



Global Water Shortages Grow Worse But Nations Have Few Answers

As we have been hearing, global water shortages are poised to exacerbate regional conflict and hobble economic growth. Yet the problem is growing worse, and is threatening to deal devastating blows to health, according to top water officials from the U.S. State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) who spoke before a House panel hearing today.

Ever-rising water demand, and climate change, are expected to boost water problems worldwide, especially in countries that are already experiencing shortages. Globally, the world is on track to meet the Millennium Development Goal of halving the number of people unable to reach or afford safe drinking water by 2015, but it still must make strides to improve global sanitation, says Aaron Salzberg, the State Department’s Special Coordinator for Water Resources. In addition to supply problems, unclean water causes more than four billion cases of diarrhea a year which lead to roughly 2.2 million deaths, and most are in children under the age of five.

“The magnitude of it is extraordinary.” says Christian Holmes, global water coordinator for USAID.

The hearing comes on the heels of stark reminders of the current water shortages that are apparent across the globe. Pakistan, one of the most water-stressed countries in the world, is on the brink of crisis. A recent report from the Asian Development Bank, highlighted by The Atlantic, states that the country’s emergency water reserve only has enough supply for 30 days – more than 30 times below the 1,000-day recommendation for similar countries. Pakistan, the report states, is “not far from being classified as ‘water scarce,’ with less than 1,000 cubic meters per person per year.” Among other factors, climate change is affecting snowmelt and reducing flows into the Indus River, the area’s main water source.

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Firstly, the title of this is bullocks. There are a plethora of answers to solve the global water crisis, however they all require a change in moral will on the part of humans who do not have it. Therein lies the main reason why we now see our world teetering on catastrophe in more ways than one. It is about US. There was a time when countries like the US and other countries were developing as well. However, over time great and vast water/sanitation systems were built. What is the excuse for not doing so now for those people in countries where we see such misery? In the 21st Century NO ONE should be without a toilet, one of the most basic needs!

It is said that more people in India have a cell phone than a toilet. Something is wrong with this picture and it also goes back to the corrupted corporate- capitalistic state mindset and the predominance of the money/greed paradigm taking precedence over humanity. I would also suggest privatization, class warfare, political corruption and racism are part of this paradigm of greed. We see this same paradigm revealing itself regarding clean energy and the procrastination in implementing it on a vast scale for maximum profit at the expense of human life and the biosphere.



The day is coming when our collective submission to these forces will leave no other solution but worldwide revolt. That is the truth of it. When humanity deems to spend more on war than water we know we are in need of a serious intervention. That is not to say there aren't many on this planet already working to provide water to those who need it. However, to see the total lack of moral and political will on this collectively on a global scale is infuriating. It seems as a species we are really good talkers. We need to be walking a hell of a lot more. People are dying due to lack of water and that includes polluted water which adds to scarcity.

It has been said that a time of higher consciousness is coming. It better hurry because we are running out of time.

No water, no food, no life.

Monday, July 29, 2013

Arctic Ice, Oceans, Climate And The Human Condition



As of this writing the Arctic ice continues its rapid melting (regardless of what parrots of denier websites claim) surpassing what was expected by scientists. Biodiversity continues to decrease as consumption increases. Strains upon our resources (particularly water) continue as population rises. Reports by the EIA state that energy consumption will increase by 56% by 2040. In other words, we the human species are affecting the Earth in ways we never have before. It is said we have entered a new epoch in history known as the Anthropocene Era where humans now control where this Earth goes based on our behavior. And yet, we still see no drastic action taking place on the part of governments including our own to aggressively address the crises that we face.

We are still debating, arguing and using politics as a crutch to not have to take action out of fear, complacency, comfort and greed. Environmental organizations tasked with holding governments accountable also play a partisan game that takes precedence over doing what is necessary. We already see that regarding the current administration. We have allowed politics and ego to take precedence over a true moral imperative with both sides seeming to find more pleasure in bickering over what is necessary regarding all of our survival and the survival of those to come than really doing something.

Which makes me wonder more times than I used to if we as a species are even capable of addressing crises such as what we now face with our climate. I really do not know how much clearer the warnings can be made: Humans are forcing the climate system as never before during our existence due to the overloading of our atmosphere and oceans with CO2 and other potent greenhouses gases like methane. This is pushing the hydrologic and carbon cycles beyond natural boundaries and leaving us living in a world where we are playing Russian Roulette with our very lives. We are in essence performing a scientific experiment without any regard for the precautionary principle or scientific ethics. Every day we continue to add to the CO2 pollution in our atmosphere is one more day in our future we can be assured we will see an exacerbation of this crisis.

NASA Video: This Is The US In 2100



Yet, we also hear nothing from deniers but that climate change stopped 16 years ago which was already debunked because well, the atmosphere isn't the only part of the world... unless of course, you are a cherry picker.

The Consensus Project

No Warming In 16 Years



Are the oceans not part of this world? If they have indeed been storing over 90% of CO2 emissions with us still seeing 2000-2010 as the hottest decade on record it is only a testament to the warming effect of greenhouse gases.

What we are also experiencing now are the time lag effects of the CO2 we have been emitting into the atmosphere for the last 100 plus years. This besides now seeing the effects of ocean acidification is not something to be dismissed, especially when using 16 years as a basis point when we have been seeing this much longer and warning of the effects since the 1800s.

What we have now put into motion should be the central concern, not quibbling over cherry picked points of reference skewing them to suit an agenda.

This is serious because what is now occurring globally is a direct reflection of what we have become and what we have forgotten about regarding our place on this Earth.

Each Degree Of Global Warming Might Ultimately Raise Global Sea Levels By More Than 2 Meters

NOAA Scientists Embark On Voyage To Assess Ocean Acidification

Biodiversity decline, record Arctic sea ice melt and loss, ocean acidification, drastic changes in jet stream affecting climate, aquifer depletion and peak oil are all leading us to our turning point as a species. Only 20% of current total fossil fuel reserves can be utilized to keep the world under the 2 degree C threshold that is said will bring upon us the tipping point.

Renewables Growing But World Still On Course To Smash 2 C-EIA

Warmer Conditions Cause Open Water Areas In The Arctic

There then appears to be no other answer to this at this point but civil disobedience against the status quo that is resolute in keeping business as usual regardless of the consequences and to disenthrall ourselves from the system we have built on greed where money means more than a sustainable planet.



On a brighter note I think we are beginning to see the signs of a shift in consciousness. The urgent question that needs to be asked however, is this shift happening at a pace that will outrun the pace of what we may now see as runaway climate change in this Anthropocene Era? I leave you to answer that.

Another World Water Day Gone

We see another World Water Day pass us by. The theme, Water For All, signifies that though some progress has been made we are woefully behin...