Yesterday, it was the front page story in my newspaper, the Arizona Republic that first turned my attention to the subject of water shortage. The article was written about the newly released report from the National Research Council, that told of the combination of growing threats from not only population growth and drought, but climate change as well.
The NRC's news release tells a grim story, especially if, like me, you are one of the more than 25 million people spread over seven states that rely on the Colorado River for water and/or power.
However, even if you do not count yourself among the huge and exponentially growing population of the Southwest, you will want to continue reading anyway. Water shortage, an equal opportunity problem that is spreading globally, isn't sexy so it isn't making the MSM drool with ghoulish glee, like Britney's new look. However, water shortage is the coming crisis.
We can live without oil. We can't live without water. Stories this relevant, and frightening don't make it in very many major media outlets. Kudos to the Arizona Republic and to NPR for airing this story on yesterday's All Things Considered.
But the best source for water shortage stories that will haunt you, but also perhaps inform you in order to make better choices for our future was a DKos diary from Wednesday by Jillian. Her diary was the catalyst for this one, as it opened my eyes to what a truly HUGE and IGNORED problem this is, and will be in the future. G-d help us, this needs all the press it can get.