We're Heading for 'Water Bankruptcy'

AlterNet by Tara Lohan | Feb. 4, 2009 (Special Report)

From California to the Himalayas, things are looking bad.

"Argentine farmers face ruin as drought kills cattle, crops" (CNN)

"Nevada a natural disaster area due to drought" (AP)

"Kingdom braces for drought-like conditions" (Jordan Times)

"Calif. facing worst drought in modern history" (USA Today)

"Kenya to declare national emergency over drought" (Reuters)

And to sum that all up, a new report recently released said that: "The world is heading toward 'water bankruptcy' ... Full Story »

Posted by Dwight Rousu

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2.7

by Fred Gatlin - Feb. 4, 2009

This is a very poor article about an important subject. It will take much more thought and work to solve the problem unless we know more about the causes and issues than what is in this article

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4.2

by Marsha Iverson - Feb. 4, 2009

In this brief "heads up" alert, Lohan calls much-needed attention to a looming global crisis we've long ignored. She just barely touches on key issues, but the cross-section--geographic, drought, crops at risk, and key indicators--should snap readers to attention.

I grew up in a desert-turned-oasis by diverting water from the Colorado River--uphill 2000 feet--to central Arizona via aa 336-mile open-air canal. I've seen the growth, the half-empty lakes, the verdant green golf courses in the stark, parched desert, the orchards and fields turned to condos, malls, business parks, and parking lots. I've also seen the ruins of the ancients: the abandoned ruins the First Nations left behind when the water supply failed. Drought happens: crops wither; ... More »

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4.4

by Dwight Rousu - Feb. 4, 2009

Lohan brings a multitude of reports together to present a picture of an emerging emergency in water supplies, and issues a call for big picture thinking.

One obvious area of big picture thinking is stopping the population explosion.

Dwight posted this story.

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5.0

by William Hughes-Games - Feb. 7, 2009

He has hit the nail right on the head and everyone wants to get us back to 3% annual growth (IMF prediction last week for 2010). Twice the economy, twice the water use. Doubling time a 3% = 23 years

Haven't these folks heard about natures ever vigilant hydraulic engineer.

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4.9

by Kenneth Sibbett - Feb. 4, 2009

The author gives a warning shot across the bow for the so-called experts on global warming. If something isn't started in the very near future, lack of water, which leads to lack of food, which leads to anarchy.

With all the dire predictions on the scarcity of water in the very near future, it's hard to believe people are still building house's in Vegas, Phoenix, and other desert locations. There's got to be a law against moving to the desert and expect cities to supply you with water.

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1.9

by Norman Rogers - Feb. 11, 2009

Presents no objective evidence of world wide unusual drought. Droughts are common in CA and happen nearly everywhere. More global warming hype.

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3.8

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from 6 reviews (50% confidence)

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3.8

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4.2

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4.0

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3.8

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3.7

Style

3.0

Context

3.7

Depth

2.3

Enterprise

3.3

Popularity

3.7

Recommendation

3.8

Credibility

4.0

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