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.asp
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