From: bivalve (bivalve@mail.davidson.alumlink.com)
Date: Fri Nov 14 2003 - 17:19:51 EST
Although water shortages are an especially acute problem in arid regions, it's not just there. The cities are thirsty. Negotiations between Alabama, Florida, and Georgia on sharing river water are popularly described as water wars. It doesn't help that Atlanta claims the right to use all the water and illegally dumps sewage into what water they do send downstream.
Water is also a major conservation issue with regard to care for the rest of creation. Freshwater organisms in arid regions are generally imperiled, if not already extinct, including mollusks in California, Texas, Mexico, interior Australia, and the Middle East. The drainages impacted by Atlanta urban sprawl once were home to hundreds of endemic species; many are now extinct, and many others are severely imperiled.
In additon to pollution, urbanization exacerbates both flooding and droughts, because hard surfaces like roofs and pavement prevent water from soaking into the ground. More water going directly into the river means higher water immediately after rain and less groundwater to buffer against drought.
Another complicating factor is trade in agricultural products. Exporting foods actually involves exporting a lot of water, sometimes from places that need all the water they can get.
Dr. David Campbell
Old Seashells
University of Alabama
Biodiversity & Systematics
Dept. Biological Sciences
Box 870345
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0345 USA
bivalve@mail.davidson.alumlink.com
That is Uncle Joe, taken in the masonic regalia of a Grand Exalted Periwinkle of the Mystic Order of Whelks-P.G. Wodehouse, Romance at Droitgate Spa
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