Water, None To Drink And None To Spare

The global water shortage

Today, as the two party political conventions draws center stage of the news coverage where too many are caught up in all the hype are always forgetting the undercurrent of economic uncertainty that exists in not only the United States but all across the world. We here in the United States have always taken for granted that there would be enough fresh water for us to brew our coffee and brush our teeth in the morning. But, sadly that is not the case in too many areas all across this nation. In fact much of the rest of the world faces dire and acute fresh water shortages that have contributed to much of the turbulence that is sending the whole world out of control.

When we hear about our own infrastructure failings too many of our elected officials and those seeking political office continue to omit the plain fact that access to fresh water is the one natural resource that is critical for all other infrastructure projects to be successful. Without fresh water all live would not exist. That is how crucial fresh water is for every life form on this planet. Just think for a moment what would happen if one morning you go the sink and turn on the faucet only to have green slime coming out or worse no water at all.  Imagine how long would a person last without fresh water. Now, think if you found out some where there were people who had managed gain control of available fresh water. History is filled with wars being fought over the availability of fresh water.  Today is no different. Sure oil plays a major role in the contributor of major conflicts but it is the availability of fresh water that is the root cause. For without fresh water every economy around the globe will collapse.

Believe it or not nature provides this planet with more than enough rain water. But, man being selfish in many respects chooses to ignore the fact that when places around the globe are not as fortunate to have abundant rainfall always site monetary concerns for their lack of effort in engaging water transfer to those areas that face water shortages. If ancient Rome could build the worlds finest aqua duct you would think that in the 21st century man would be able to construct water transfer to encompass the whole planet. As of today the United States is experiencing a very acute water shortage especially in California and the southwest.  What is more troubling is the fact that whatever ground water there is remaining really is unsafe to drink or even use in irrigation because of all the contaminants that have been allowed to seep into our underground aquifers.

 

In Florida the situation is getting worse all the time. We are facing a long term crisis even though we have periods where there is abundant rain fall but our existing infrastructure is woefully inadequate. So many times when it does rain over 90% of all the rain water flows right into the Gulf of Mexico or the Atlantic ocean.  Another major concern is our economy which relies heavily on tourists flocking the Florida beaches. The sad fact is that over the past eight years and billions of dollars that was earmarked for Florida Everglade restoration that money was rerouted to the coffers of political candidates. Meanwhile the sugar industry with heavy donations to every legislatures campaign have managed to reap huge profits every year. What has happened in the meantime to the environment, our fresh water and our coastline is a disaster. Disastrous algae blooms continue to foul our costal areas. Sea grass die-offs plague all of Florida Bay. And, the Everglades continue to wither and die. The power of money continues to trump environmental concerns. all for political expediency.

 

 All across the US we have witnessed above normal severe weather that has disrupted not only the flow of commerce but destroyed property, livelihoods and lives. Coinciding with this past springs weather is the fact that our available fresh water continues to be wasted or squandered just because we have failed to capitalize on what nature already provides. Many don't even realize that the planet naturally produces abundant clean air, nourishing food and fresh water for all living things. It is up to humanity now to implement the means that nature already provides so that everyone has access to what nature already does. We have the technology now and the means to do so. So why are so many millions the world over still languish in such dire conditions?         

 

A most disturbing reality is already placing millions not only here in the United States but all over the world in peril is the privatization of water resources. What is more troubling is the fact that the United States does not consider access to fresh water as a human right. Water is still regarded a privilege and not an inherit right.  This privatization continues to favor the wealthy while discriminating against the poor. In reality what has already taken place through-out the world through privatization of water resources has increased the number of poor and destitute while incubating more and severe health conditions all around the planet. Could it be that corporate war mongers continue their assault on the poor, and the destitute to satisfy their unquenchable thirst for more profits?

 

 In every major city across the US water utilities have already raised water rates to the point that millions now have had their water shut off. Then again what has taken place in California is typical that many still can't get access to existing municipal water utility companies or even city sewage. Without access to proper sanitation believe it or not is a growing epidemic right here in the United States. The United States is one of many countries that does not recognize that access to fresh water as an inherit right.  With the trend to privatize water utility companies too many are being faced with extreme almost inhumane living conditions just because they lack the affordability to acquire the means to have access to fresh water and proper sanitation.

   

The situation is very evident in California but also in India where ground water has been diverted from local farmers for the purpose of manufacturing and in this case that manufacturing plant is Coke, the soft drink company with world wide distribution. Many people don't understand just what goes into the process of making soft drinks and how much fresh water they actually use and waste. For instance for every 1 litter of Coke needs 3 litters of fresh water. When we think of the volume of soft drinks made not only in India but all through-out the world so much fresh water is wasted and striped away from farms and underground aquifers just for the continuation for corporate gains. 

 Ever since time began wars and mass destruction have all been caused by the availability of fresh water being denied to other nations or populations. More precious than gold, oil or any other valuable commodity having enough fresh water has been histories most valuable resource.  A global epidemic of disease and plagues will be thrust upon mankind if nations don't resolve an put forth contingencies that will expedite the transfer of abundant resources of fresh water are made available to other areas around the globe where drought conditions exist. Technology has also made it possible to manufacture water where their remains no other alternative.  The scientific community have come up with many ways to duplicate what nature already does. And in many instances the cost factor in water transport is minimized by their discoveries.

With the population globally at around 7 billion today with the projected population growth rate that will exceed by 45% over the next 50 years means that without correcting and solving the water crisis global tensions will only continue to escalate. By 2025, water demand is projected to exceed supply by 56%. Demand is doubling every two years. And, serious shortages are  already affecting nearly 500 million people including millions right here in the United States. What this all means is that the world today is rapidly running out of access to fresh water. Figuring in the amount of pollution that is still pouring into rivers, waterways, lakes and even the world's oceans is contributing on such a massive scale the reduction of available fresh water. The squandering, the hording, and the wasting of what nature already provides today has increased the rate of decreasing amounts of fresh water available for all life on this planet. 

Countries like China, India, Africa, Latin America and yes the United States are in dire straits. China and India account for 40% of the world’s population. Yet neither country has potable tap water. Two-thirds of China’s cities face water shortages. And in big cities like New Delhi, ground water is expected to dry up by the end 2015. In Latin America, about 15% of the population 76 million people lacks the availability of safe drinking water. And, over 200 million don’t have sanitation services. In Detroit, still thousands have had their water either shut off or are denied access to city water and sewage just like in  too many other cities across the United States. The prognosis if man continues of the same path of denial to the monumental crisis at hand the world that we now know will be no more.

 Using the availability of today's technology there are increasingly innovative ways to make clean water from dirty water, produce more available potable water, encourage more conservation of the available water that is at hand and transfer fresh water from areas that have abundant sources to areas that lack water reserves. Whether it is seawater desalination, water recycling and purification, wastewater treatment, potable water treatment, or water creation { which is just starting to be known because of the new development of technology that is making this possible} or national water aqueducts are all real authentic and viable solutions to this very real eminent threat to the existence of life.                        

 

When China is expected to spend more than a trillion dollars over the next ten years to secure more fresh water for their growing population they are recognizing the enormity of a crisis in the making and are doing enough investment so their population even with all it's projected growth will have enough available fresh water to maintain health and security. A sort of water revolution is afoot in China right now. On the other hand in the United States there remains virtually no real contingencies to combat water shortages here.

 

Today's advancement in technology has made it possible that man can manufacture enough drinkable water using the relatively well known equation H2O. The most abundant source of fresh water is actually in the earth's atmosphere. For instance, when atmospheric humidity condenses, it falls as rain. We now have devises that enable every one to replicate natures process of delivery rain. A devise so extraordinary that very few know of it's existence. It replicates natures process of condensation by simulating the dew point which makes it possible to continually make water even in very low humidity conditions. In Florida where humidity is so stifling during the summer more water can be made. Even during the winter enough water can be made to ensure that everyone has access to abundant fresh water where the average temperature is above 60 degrees and the humidity is above 40%. 

 

In practically every society there are those who continue to exert their dominance over others whether it is for power, control or wealth there will always be populations that are subjected to the greed of others. All through-out history man has sought to control others through manipulation, and control of certain devises that can make a monumental difference in the quality of life of others. In this case the manufacture of fresh water using natural resources like solar or wind to produce the energy that provides the power to replicate natures process of condensation is paramount in securing abundant fresh water in areas that remain isolated from water transfer facilities. It is paramount that our elected officials act on making not only access to fresh water and sanitation more accessable but resolve that having this access as a human right will not only secure this nations stability but reinforce the reality of Global peace.