by Chas Bonner
No, this is not an April Fool’s joke, and yes, it is somewhat repetitive. But remind yourselves: Repetition = Recall.
It is no secret that water is becoming of increasing importance; it is already causing riots and wars in parts of the world, and will only get worse as populations grow, and parts of the world become drier. Some examples:
- Only 3% of the world’s water is fresh, and 70% of fresh water is frozen.
- In 20 years, it is estimated that 1/3 of mankind will have only half the water needed to meet basic needs.
- Lake Mead is drying up, and is fast filling with silt.
- Desalinization is slow and uses huge amounts of power, although new technologies are being developed.
- Usage of underground water is estimated at 160% of recharge in the U.S.
- The Ogallala Aquifer underlying the Mid-West is the largest in the U.S., and has been drawn down about 100’ in less than 100 years.
- And the scary one for agriculture, we use 70 - 80% of all fresh water.
When products or commodities become short, they become more expensive. And water is a commodity.
Therefore we urge our farmers and ranchers to examine their water use, conserve where possible, check water rights as they can be lost, be prepared to grow crops which use less water, and pay more for water use.
Finally, one of the core competencies of Scythe & Spade is water usage, rights, irrigation, and costs. If help is needed, we are as close as a call.
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