Rivers and streams vulnerable to groundwater pumping.
At the recently held Groundwater 2010 Conference in Canberra, Australia, Dr. David Rassam, scientist for the nation’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) shared new research highlighting the relationship between groundwater use and aquifer eplenishment.

In the study, Dr. Rassam and team confirmed the importance of ensuring that groundwater use did not exceed the ability of aquifers to become replenished, to avoid obvious shortages. They also found, that river replenishment is also dependent on groundwater flow, especially during dry periods.

Citing an example, Dr. Rassam stated, “In this stream … we found that increasing groundwater pumping by 40% caused a 93% reduction in base-flow in the river – (so) it’s not a linear relationship at all.

This demonstrates that preventing water entering aquifers, or pumping too much groundwater out, may lead to complete drying of nearby streams during the dry period. This can happen much more easily than we previously thought. The impacts on local water ecosystems could be dire.” 

Many thanks, Dr. Rassam and colleagues, for this reminder of the vital interconnectedness of our natural world. Let us join in practices that conserve water and other precious resources for the sustainable benefit of all beings.

Concerned for humanity during these urgent times, during a July 2008 videoconference in Formosa (Taiwan), Supreme Master Ching Hai suggested our more conscientious care for the gifts of the Earth.

http://www.physorg.com/news/2010-11-groundwater-threat-rivers-worse.html
http://cowracommunitynews.com/viewnews.php?newsid=5903&id=137

Extra News
A new report by the Indian Network for Climate Change Assessment forecasts a two degree Celsius temperature rise within the next two decades, which would cause significant changes in rain cycles, increased flooding and northward spreading of malaria and other diseases. http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/environment/global-warming/India-faces-major-climate-
changes-by-2030-Report/articleshow/6942126.cms

In a recent poll of 1,000 people ahead of the Cancúnclimate change negotiations in Mexico,
71% agree that the money spent on wars and military would be much better used to mitigate and adapt to climate change.
http://www.torontosun.com/news/canada/2010/11/18/16210206.html
http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/News/national/2010/11/18/16210656.html

State officials and citizens in New York, USA form a task force to evaluate a recently released report forecasting climate change-induced rises in sea level that would affect over 62% of the state’s population.
http://www.nytimes.com/cwire/2010/11/19/19climatewire-new-yorkers-learn-the-troubles-posed-by-sea-63097.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Designed to run on electric power for about 40 miles before switching to a gasoline engine that
also recharges the battery, the Chevrolet Volt plug-in electric car by US-based General Motors
is named 2011 Green Car of the Year.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE6AH4AD20101118