The readings for today primarily focused on the importance of water as a natural resource. However, the first chapter assigned emphasized the misuse of water all around the world. In other words, because water (rivers, oceans etc.) is a free access natural resource, humans tend to overuse, and misuse this natural resource. In today’s society, the amount of freshwater is slowly diminishing do to a variety of human activity, such as the influence humans have on climate change, and the continuously growing population. Similarly to the previous chapters, it is mentioned how human activities are influencing the overall health and well being of the environment and its natural resources. Due to this recognition of water loss, humans have tried to use other resources of water to sustain the health of the increasing population.
One of the solutions proposed to this ongoing struggle with water loss, is this groundwater resource. This term simply refers to the storage of water underground. In most cases using this resource has helped many communities, however, there are many disadvantages associated with groundwater. Furthermore, because humans have not fully distinguished the pros and cons of this resource, humans are unable to understand if using this resource is helpful or not. There are a few dangers associated with obtaining more groundwater. For example, this resource is nonrenewable, therefore, it can take decades or centuries to renew itself. Also, as I mentioned before, due to our lack of knowledge, humans are unaware of the ecological/ geological impact of this resource. Lastly, the costs of this resource is unknown therefore, people may/ will take advantage of this resource. Also, Miller also suggests the different ways in which humans can ensure the protection of this resource (or management of the resource). A very important suggestion that I believe will help with the groundwater depletion, is the subsidies the government can impose. Currently many farmers and people who produce crops receive some form of payment to ensure the production of goods. However, as Miller stated, these subsidies should be used to encourage individuals to conserve our natural resources. Subsidies should be guaranteed to individuals if they are able to comply with sustainable methods of producing crops (people should get paid to conserve water and energy). Another very important point that Miller made was this idea of increasing the price of water. Like I mentioned before, people remain unaware of their contribution to this water loss, therefore, it should be the responsibility or the government and organizations to increase the price of water. This will restrict the overuse of water and it will increase the environmental awareness of individuals. In the text, Miller mentions the water meter used in Brazil. A water meter simply charges people for any amount of water they wish to use. This of course forces individuals to use this resource within their means. This idea fascinated me because I realized that people become significantly more aware of the resources provided by nature; It provokes a sense of understanding the value of water. It is important for people to understand that water is not a never ending resource. What disappoints me is that other less developed countries are establishing new systems that encourage this act of sustainability ( three principles of sustainability), but more developed countries such as the U.S. prioritizes industries and this increases their ecological footprint.
Miller mentions a very important quote by Sandra Postel that accurately describes what is causing so much water waste. Postel mentions this idea of heavily subsidizing water, and how this leads individuals to believe a false message that water is abundant. However, Postel states the reality of the overuse of water; Rivers are drying up, aquifers are being depleted and many different species are going extinct. I agree with Postel, and I believe most of humanity needs a wake up call, so they can realize that their actions are leading to the depletion of resources and thus directly affecting their overall health and existence. (not just the environment being affected).
This chapter provides readers with information based on methods that can potentially prevent further water depletion. For example, a commonly used method is the introduction of dams to major bodies of water. As mentioned in earlier chapters dams play a large role in controlling and regulating a river’s flow. In other words, dams are very helpful when it comes down to controlling floods. Besides controlling floods, dams can also generate electricity. This of course fulfills 2 out of 3 principles of sustainability. Lastly, dams also assists farmers with irrigation systems that contribute to the proper growth of crops and plants. However, just as much as dams are helpful with proper water use , there is also an abundance of negative impacts that dams have in our environment. These negative impacts includes the disruption of biodiversity, displacement of homes for people, and they can often cause drought in certain areas. In addition, the toxic dust, and salt that remains in the area contaminates the water, causing health problems such as respiratory disease, kidney disease, eye problems etc. Another solution proposed by Miller is this concept of desalination. This simply refers to the conversion of salt water to fresh water. There is a variety of ways to convert our water to freshwater, however, this process is very costly, and the pumping of chemicals severely affects the marine life in that specific area. Also, by converting so much water to freshwater, there is an increase of salt in that location, and this is of course detrimental to the land, and nearby oceans (too much salt is bad for humans and other organisms.
This idea of desalination and climate change are often paired in the text. They are both caused by humans, and the occurrence of the two processes significantly affects that specific environment. Like I mentioned before, desalination leaves behind a significant amount of salt. Over time, and this salt spreads to other locations, it can/ will pollute other bodies of water. Also, this type of pollution kills wildlife, and crops and vegetation. In addition to this hazardous processes. There is another process that increases the impact/ damage on the environment: climate change. Climate change affects most rivers by influencing the evaporation of the water. Also, since climate change influences the melting of glaciers, any potential sources of water is diminishing too quickly. Over time, these two processes starts to work together to deplete more natural resources. As stated by Miller, “the combo of climate change and severe salination has reduces crop yields from 20-50% & a third of the areas crop land (Miller 333).” This simply means, that these two human made problems are working hand in hand to deplete a majority of our natural resources and habitats.
Before & after human activities (Aral Sea)
The picture above depicts the before and after effects of mismanaging bodies of water. In this case, the Aral Sea was a source of water for people in the area. This body of watr was used for irrigations systems used to grow products such as cotton. Also the Aral Sea is known as a saline river that contains an immense amount of salt. Therefore as this water was continuously used and converted to fresh water, the remaining bit of water contained more salt than any other body of water. Also, like I mentioned before climate change and desalination work hand in hand. Therefore, any remaining bit of water had evaporated due to the warming of the earth. After all this overuse of this body of water, the Aral sea had split into to bodies of water, and later on the other half had completely evaporated/ vanished.
On a positive note, if humans are able to positively integrate practices that save water, then the human species is also reducing their energy use, air / water pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions. This brings me a sense of hope and motivation. After reading this chapter, my sense of awareness increased, and I became more conscious of my actions that relates to the overuse of water. For example, I have tried to minimize by use of water by limiting my use of laundry machines, toilet flushes, and hose (gardening with a hose).
One very important process that is also contributing to the scare amount of water is pollution. Pollution is primarily caused by humans, and this issue is continuously growing. What is very concerning is this lack of awareness within our communities. Not only is pollution hurting our health and overall well- being, but we are greedily damaging and destroying the life of certain species, and their natural habitats. During the class presentation based on pollution, a fellow peer discussed the Olympics that took place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. There was a controversy related to the overall cleanliness of the river and the people partaking in water related activities. Also, as stated by my peer, the increase of biodegradable waste actually causes the elimination of many different organisms (dissolved oxygenàextinction of organisms).
Although humans need desalination and technologies are improvingàis it not still a form of waste?
Word count: 1536
Miller, G. Tyler, and Scott Spoolman. Living in the Environment. Cengage Learning, 2015.
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