Climate change to cause increasing water stress in US counties. A new report commissioned by the US National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) has concluded that at current rates of water usage and global warming, some 35% of US counties could face water shortages by 2050. Dan Lashof, NRDC Climate Center Director, further explained the findings.
Dan Lashof (m): That’s more than 1,100 US counties in the lower 48 states now looking at higher risks of water shortages by mid-century as a result of global warming. The report also finds more than 400 counties facing extremely high risk for water shortages, which is a 14-fold increase.
It really is a groundbreaking report that puts together the data in a new way that has not been attempted before, by drilling down to the county level, and providing an index of the risk of water shortages due to climate change.
HOST: Using publicly available data, researchers first analyzed current water withdrawals for different sectors such as irrigation and municipal water supply, then estimated future demands if these usage patterns continue. Comparing these figures with a forecast of water availability in 2050 revealed a situation that could be severe enough to force the US to engage in long-term water rationing.
Dan Lashof (m): The reality is that we need to take action on climate change and clean energy now, not just because it’s the right thing to do, but also because the alternative of making painful, unplanned changes later, is not a pretty prospect to think about.
HOST: Many thanks, Director Lashof, US National Resources Defense Council and all contributing researchers for your insightful findings on the risks to water supplies imposed by climate change.
May governments and all individuals recognize the urgency of the situation and act now to protect both resources and lives from global warming.
During an August 2009 videoconference in Thailand, Supreme Master Ching Hai, highlighted as on many previous occasions the swift and simple measures needed to save endangered resources such as our precious water supplies.
Supreme Master Ching Hai: We have over six billion people in this world and the sources of groundwater for wells, which supports half of our world population, are dying, drying up.
And the top ten global river systems, drying or ebbing away. And three billion people are short of water. How many more, I don’t know, how many more of suffering people are we waiting before we take action? Please do it now! Just be veg.
Stop the meat, dairy, fish industry. Be benevolent. Create a merciful energy that will envelop our world, that will emit mercy, love, protection for us and our children on this planet. Please take action now. Very simple. Just be veg.
http://www.nrdc.org/media/2010/100720.aspExtra NewsThrough a new initiative to promote practical principles of eco-living, His Royal Highness Prince Charles of Wales urges the United Kingdom toward a “sustainability revolution” to counter what could otherwise be catastrophic climate change.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/world/view/20100731-284213/Britains-Prince-Charles-urges-sustainability-revolution A new desalination plant launches in southeastern India’s Chennai to supply more than 100 million liters of water per day as it replaces boiling with a high pressure filtering system, thus saving energy and making the water more affordable.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-10819040 Canadian scientists report that southern Canada’s largest water body, Lake Winnipeg, is deteriorating, with disturbing evidence of oxygen-deprived dead zones and large green masses of toxic algae.
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/algae-storms-grand-beach-99447669.htmlhttp://www.cbc.ca/manitoba/features/lakewinnipeg/checkup.html
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