WATER = LIFE. There is a limited amount of water on this planet, and it's in short supply. Some major rivers no longer reach the ocean due to diversions for irrigation and city supplies - and for energy generation. What we each can do is simple - see the numbered list at the bottom of this post:
THE INSANITY:
Fracking for natural gas: In 2010, the EPA estimated the 33,000 existing wells used 70-140 billions of gallons of water/year. There are over 77,000 wells now, with many more to come. The water is polluted - mixed with chemicals, and is mostly removed from the water cycle - no longer available. Fracking chemicals have also leached into our underground fresh water aquifers.
Gasoline: It takes 3 gallons of water to produce a gallon of gas, and that water becomes polluted. We could make fuel directly from water instead. Hydrogen (made from splitting water) in a fuel cell can replace a gas engine. Tailpipe emissions from a fuel cell car are clean water vapor, going right back to the land. Electric vehicles charged using renewable power are an even better option. Hybrid cars could use batteries and fuel cells instead of batteries and gas engines.
Big agriculture accounts for over a third of water use. In our region, this is mostly for genetically modified corn and soybeans. 20% of our corn crop is shipped overseas, and 80% of the corn is for livestock and other feed, here and overseas. The fertilizers cause algae blooms in our lakes.
Bottled water is a multi-billion dollar business, and an environmental nightmare. Big corporations buy up water tables from under farms, small towns that can't fight back, and even in drought-stricken areas. It takes more water than what is contained in the bottle to make the bottle. Shipping from even short distances uses fuel unnecessarily.
SOME ANSWERS: Solar, wind, electric vehicles, hybrids with fuel cells instead of gasoline. All of this technology is already available. We can start moving to 100% renewable power and fuel today. We could have done this decades ago. Many developed countries are already heading in that direction.
Those who make money on oil and gas don't want policies to change, so they spend tons of money on political campaigns, so politicians don't change policies to benefit all. Same goes for big agriculture, and multinational food and beverage conglomerates.
EASY ACTIONS:
1) Vote with your wallet: Don't buy or drink bottled water (or pop, which is bottled water with unhealthy stuff added). Only buy energy efficient vehicles or hybrids - 40mpg or higher. Eat local foods - check labels or ask. Buy from (truly) local farm markets. Eat less meat.
2) Search for electric providers that have a high percentage of renewable power. In Ohio and the region, you can get 100% wind power at a good rate. Ask your electric provider for more renewables.
3) Elect Democrats or Independents, since the vast majority are pro-renewable power (and pro-environment, pro-equality). Just look at the League of Conservation Voters report cards for Congress (www.lcv.org).
4) Call your reps in DC. (To find them, click on the map at www.contactingthecongress.org.) The person answering just takes messages, so it's no big deal. Tell them you want them to:
- do whatever it takes policy-wise to work toward 100% renewable power.
- move any subsidies from oil and gas (currently billions of taxpayer dollars) to renewables, and energy efficiency incentives.
5) Simply be aware: Find what watershed you live in by Googling or calling your county's Soil and Water Conservation District. Find if there is a watershed coalition group and get on their mailing list. Google World Water Day (March 22) and look for events or initiatives. Know where your drinking water comes from by calling your city hall.
6) Inform others.
No comments:
Post a Comment