Without water, the world would cease to exist. Land that was once fertile and green would inevitably become barren and be rendered useless. Forests, grasslands, and other key habitats would disappear in the blink of an eye, leaving tens of thousands of species helpless. Our society and life as we know it would be flipped upside down as wars ensue over natural resources and the ownership of any water that might remain. Although many believe that our current water supply is not so finite and our society is far from reaching the verge of disaster, in many regions of the world, the depletion of water has already generated some of these detrimental impacts.
In the past decade, Texas has witnessed a number of both societal and environmental changes take place within its borders due to a significant shortage of water resources. This deficient water supply has not only been caused by its overconsumption and inefficient usage, but perhaps even more so by the historic droughts that plagued the state in recent years. The drought of 2011 was reported to be even worse than the drought of record in the 1950s, making 2011 the driest year ever for the state with an average rainfall of only 14.8 inches (6). Coupled with the scorching summer heat, the drought left many rivers and reservoirs used for residential purposes completely dry as increased evaporation substantially reduced surface water levels throughout Texas.
While the state has been fortunate enough to receive more rainfall within these past two years, ameliorating the drought’s devastating effects, according to State Climatologist John-Nielsen Gammon, “over 90% of Texas” is still suffering from some form of drought conditions (6). During the summer of 2011, nearly half of the state en...
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...er?" Oklahoma RSS. Npr, 20 Sept. 2013. Web. .
22. Wertz, Joe. "Supreme Court Ruling Won’t Keep Texas From Trying to Buy
Oklahoma Water." Oklahoma RSS. Npr, 21 June 2013. Web. .
23. Wertz, Joe. "Texas’ Application for Oklahoma Water Still Active Despite Supreme
Court Ruling." Oklahoma RSS. Npr, 25 Oct. 2013. Web. .
24. Wertz, Joe. "The Evolving Politics of Oklahoma Water Policy." Oklahoma RSS. Npr, 2 Aug. 2013. Web. .
Going forward, the Court of Appeal’s decision in Garetson Brothers v. American Warrior will stand for the proposition that Kansas water laws mean what they say. Rather than consider any economic considerations, the only relevant factors will be who has the senior water right and whether an impairment has occurred. As groundwater becomes scarcer in Kansas, senior water users will likely find that Kansas laws will serve to protect their use over any junior water
Every person requires water for survival. So what would happen if we ran out? North China is undergoing a serious water crisis, which holds a large part of China’s agriculture and population, with China’s government attempting to gain control of the situation they have decided to bring in water from the south. North China does have many factors contributing to it’s water issue at hand, however, in my opinion there are three main issues which the government should gain control of, or the three biggest causes of China’s crisis. these causes include urbanization, global warming, and the worst for last, industry.
The California water drought has been declared a crisis by the governor of California. 2013 was the driest year on record, and California could be running out of water. Californians should be water wise, and their use, or no use, of water will have an enormous impact on this drought. They can use the techniques published in a recent Time article called, 5 Ways to Bust California’s Drought, to reduce their water use. Landscape techniques, alternate water sources, and the personal conservation of water can reduce the use of water, and can have a positive change on this water crisis.
Water has long been a controversy in countless places worldwide and Colorado is no exception. The water rights in Colorado involve different stages within the Prior Appropriation Law; the senior and junior water rights. Senior water rights are privileges that were the first to be issued on unappropriated streams in Colorado and are to be filled before the junior water right holders. Junior water rights are similar to senior water rights, but are filled after the senior water holders take their allotted amount (Wolfe Prior Appropriation Law). The water in Colorado is just that; Colorado’s water, owned by the people and restricted by the state. However, Colorado is required by law to send over 30 million acre – feet of water to seven western states (“Missouri River”). An acre – foot is “The quantity of water required to fill one acre with one foot of water and is equivalent to 43,560 cubic feet or 325,850 gallons” (“Missouri River”). The State enforces all water laws in Colorado even though they are not straightforward and are riddled with loopholes. These water laws came into effect “As early as 1879” (Hundley, Jr. 53). In the laws, there are even more constraints and idiosyncrasies including; owning ground water, owning surface water, senior rights and junior rights, and the use and reuse of rainwater or graywater. Water users in Colorado need to familiarize themselves with the laws and regulations involving water in order to receive the allotted water and the reasoning behind that number.
Texas, with its abundances of natural resources, is facing a new demon, one that doesn’t even seem possible, a shortage of water. Water, without it nothing can survive. Texas is the second largest state for landmass in the nation and ninth for water square miles. Within the borders of Texas are more than 100 lakes, 14 major rivers, and 23 aquifers, so why has water become such an important issue for the state? Politicians and conservationists all agree that without a new working water plan, the state could be facing one of the most damaging environmental disasters they have ever seen. The issues that shape the states positions are population growth, current drought conditions, and who actually owns the water.
With the changes coming from global warming and increased greenhouse gasses, there will be many impacts to Texas over the coming decades. One of these impacts is the effect on our water resources. Texas’ main source of fresh water is precipitation, coming almost completely from rainfall. With temperatures rising and with an expectation that precipitation levels will most likely drop in coming years, this combination will put great stress on our water reservoirs. If we continue our current usage rates of water and if recent climate changes continue to persist then we will see a huge decrease in our water reservoirs. Also, given that we are in a drought, it appears that conditions are getting worse every year, posing a serious problem for the future if this issue is not addressed now.
Americans today tend to believe that the Colorado River drought has been a recent occurrence, although drought relief strategies have been implemented since early 1997. To summarize, in the book The Colorado River Basin Drought Planning and Organizations, Colorado is named as the original state to acquire a drought relief plan. For instance, various assume water levels are diminutive in the Colorado and blame is due to the previous ten years of drought throughout the United States. Although it is true that water levels are at a record low, initial plans in the early 1920’s to introduce manufactured structures into the water basin is the original reason Colorado’s water system began to be compromised. It follows, then the supplementary natural
For about five years California has experienced above average temperatures and a lack of rain. This lack of rain and snowfall has caused California to become increasingly dry, starting arguments over whose right to water is more important and who needs to be more mindful with their use of water. Farming in California truly began during the gold rush when water was redirected to land where food was grown for those looking for gold (Siegler, 2015). The farmers that have stayed on that land now have senior water rights (“Water wars”, 2015). Farmers that settled their land before 1914 are those with senior water rights (Terrell, 2015). Governor Jerry Brown has called for a cut in water use by one-quarter percent to people living
Water is essential to life. By being so important it is crucial to keep it maintained and preserved. Our water supply is affected by environmental, economic, and legal issues. In Oklahoma water is very sacred to its people especially to Native Americans. Both Choctaw and Chickasaw nations are suing the state of Oklahoma for the regulatory authority over Sardis Lake and the water resources it holds. The Choctaw and Chickasaw nations deserve the rights over Sardis Lake because it is their main water supply and they own the rights through the treaty of the Dancing Rabbit Creek of 1830.
Drinking water is essential and indispensable to life itself possible on the face of the earth, it is much more than a well, a resource, a commodity, drinking water is specifically a human right of first order and an element essential national sovereignty itself and, most likely, whoever controls the water control the economy and life in the not so distant future.
Summary: Without water, there is no way that life would be sustainable on this planet. It is without a doubt our most valuable resource.
Droughts are becoming longer and more intense internationally since the 1970’s (**). If there is no change, studies show that droughts are going to keep getting longer and more severe. Droughts are dangerous because they mean less water for things like watering crops, drinking, and production electricity by hydroelectric dams. The Southwest United States is currently at risk for droughts because water supplies are draining in states like Arizona, where water is insufficient enough as it is.
Water is the most important substance in our evolution and our daily lives. Without water,
Water is on of the most precious natural resources that exist on our planet. “It is delivered from the atmosphere in the form of rain, snow, hail, fog, and condensation and returns to the atmosphere by evaporation and transpiration” (Hannigan 1969). Although many of us love activities that have to do with water, we disregard it and pollute out rivers, lakes and oceans. Slowly but surely we are going to harm out planet till no return. Protecting and conserving nature will secure a better future. 71% of earth is covered with oceans. Sounds like a lot right? Imagine ...
Water shortage affects the agricultural sector, so as a consequence the price of production increases. The water crisis affects the economy and health of the population, so people need to understand that water is a priority to life.