...The video, “Nestle in Michigan”, discusses the issue of decreasing water levels in northwest Michigan areas. This is largely in part due to the pumping of water from natural springs and lakes by Nestle for the resale of their bottled water. Many residents are reporting that they are finding “mud flats” on their property were creeks used to exist. Nestle is pumping “upwards of 450 gallons per minute” of water from Michigan water sources—more than what can be replenished by natural means. This is causing water levels in streams to lower and mud flats appearing where other bodies of water once stood. Initially, my first response to the video was disbelief that the state government would allow this to happen. Especially considering that Nestle is essentially (as stated by one of the speakers in the video as well) taking our water supply, treating it, bottling it, and then selling it back to us. Our own natural resource—sold back to us, without the state government or local governments making barely a profit from it—$63,000 for a 99 year least—and without limit on how much Nestle is allowed to pump (Nestle in Michigan, 2010). The possible long term repercussions are surreal. In my opinion, the government should have a responsibility to protect our water sources the same way they protect our wildlife and forests. Regulations or taxes should be imposed to deter Nestle from essentially pumping our water sources dry. Unfortunately, Nestle was given a $10 million tax abatement...
Words: 686 - Pages: 3
...by water scarcity? Water scarcity can be defined as the lack of sufficient available water resources, lack access to fresh water, potable water for drinking and sanitation to meet the demands of water usage within a region. Water scarcity occurs because the population is increasing around the world coupled with urbanization and industrialization so the demand for water is increasing and this will lead to serious consequences on the environment. Water scarcity divided into two types that are physical water scarcity and economic water scarcity. Physical (absolute) water scarcity occurs when there is not sufficient water to meet demand. This could be the result of dry or arid local conditions. Physical water scarcity occurs because of abundant source of water being overused and over managed. There is another equally challenging source of water scarcity: economic factors. Economic water scarcity is predominant lack of infrastructure investments are political and ethnic problems. Over 1.2 billion are basically living in areas of physical water scarcity. And almost 1.6 billion face economic water shortage. Water scarcity involves water stress, water shortage or deficits, and water crisis. Water stress is the difficulty of obtaining sources of fresh water. Water shortages caused by climate change for example droughts or root impairment, pollution, increased human demand and overuse of water. Water crisis is a situation where the available potable, unpolluted water within...
Words: 2586 - Pages: 11
...from human activity. Water scarcity is one of the biggest challenges because safe drinking water is reducing year by year. Nothing can survive without water as well as human beings so it is necessary to protect clean water from decreasing from now on. In this essay, three causes of water scarcity will be identified. It will also pay attention to the measures to solve the problem. The major cause of water shortage is the increasing demand. The continuous growth in population contributes most to the increasing demand (Robert 2005). As a result of the population explosion, people have no choice but to find and use more water though this may dry up the river and exhaust the aquifers (Hutson et al.2004). However, many people are still unaware of the importance of water that they just take it for granted. It is not a good phenomenon because daily use of water may also make the situation worse. In brief, people need more water and supply can no longer meet the demand. Another cause is pollution that the number of factories is increasing and many of them tend to release dirty water into rivers in order to save money. Therefore, it is harder to find clean water. Climate change is the other reason why water scarcity occurred. Due to the global warming, the ice is melting so less clean water can be used. One of the solutions to save water is to improve the technology. As the population grows rapidly, more water is needed to produce food and clothes. The use of water cannot be avoided...
Words: 597 - Pages: 3
...Water scarcity The earth is now facing many problems such as climate change and droughts, and all of them result from human activity. Water scarcity is one of the biggest challenges because safe drinking water is reducing year by year. Nothing can survive without water as well as human beings so it is necessary to protect clean water from decreasing from now on. In this essay, three causes of water scarcity will be identified. It will also pay attention to the measures to solve the problem. The major cause of water shortage is the increasing demand. The continuous growth in population contributes most to the increasing demand (Robert 2005). As a result of the population explosion, people have no choice but to find and use more water though this may dry up the river and exhaust the aquifers (Hutson et al.2004). However, many people are still unaware of the importance of water that they just take it for granted. It is not a good phenomenon because daily use of water may also make the situation worse. In brief, people need more water and supply can no longer meet the demand. Another cause is pollution that the number of factories is increasing and many of them tend to release dirty water into rivers in order to save money. Therefore, it is harder to find clean water. Climate change is the other reason why water scarcity occurred. Due to the global warming, the ice is melting so less clean water can be used. One of the solutions to save water is to improve the technology. As the...
Words: 600 - Pages: 3
...How can we help reduce water scarcity in the world? What are the hindrances? What are the consequences of failure? Student Name: Yang GU (John) Student ID: 505052 Teacher: Peter Wald Date: 10/05/2013 Water is essential because water can maintain the process of eco-system, supplies the agriculture and human cannot live without water. However, there is the increasing number of water issues are appearing in the modern world and issues tend to be serious, especially the supply of water. Although water scarcity is an issue which needs to be solved quickly but, water scarcity is not easy to be reduced and when the project failed, it may cause more problems can make problems worse than before. There are over 43 countries are suffering from water scarcity approximately (United Nations). It may cause a number of water-related problems: starvation, water security, and poverty. According to a report which was published from the IWMI (Barker, R et al 2000) has pointed out the water scarcity is growing. In the meantime, research also found out the some poverty areas usually has the problem of water scarcity, especially Africa (Barker, R et al 2000). Therefore, solve the water scarcity problem should be the priority for some drought countries all around the world. For instance, The United Nations is running a plan called The “WATER FOR LIFE DECADE”; the aim of this plan is to help some places where lack of water to face the challenges of water scarcity (FAO 2006). The programme...
Words: 1033 - Pages: 5
...Major Water Scarcity in California And it’s Effect on the American South West This essay explains the lack of precipitation in South West America and its effects on California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico. It also explores the numerous alternatives that could be used in order to solve this water crisis. The cause of the drought in California is the lack of snowfall in the Rocky Mountains, which caused the river to evaporate. As temperatures are rising, it causes water to evaporate and dry out soil that we need to plant crops. Authorities are reducing the flow from Colorado’s two reservoirs, Lake Powell, which supplies the upper Colorado Basin, and Lake Mead, which supplies Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Evidence suggests “For the...
Words: 1247 - Pages: 5
...informative tool in explaining the causes and consequences resulting from the dire crisis of water insecurity. My argument strives to show that water-borne infectious diseases can be prevented and controlled through proper management, supply, and provision of safe drinking water. I will acknowledge members of government and NGOs who have recognized the importance of alleviating water scarcity. However, I will illustrate why, despite that the action has been taken in various forms of projects, initiatives, and setting goals, many constraints against success remain in poverty ridden and socioeconomic insecure regions, such as Madagascar. Madagascar, a large island lying off the coast of southeastern Africa in...
Words: 760 - Pages: 4
...Water is the foundation of life. It is only in areas that contain liquid water in which life exists. Ancient societies used to cherish water. Some would even worship water and build their lives around it. Recognizing the vitality of water management was of key importance thus water was common and universal. Although everyone is dependant upon it, in today’s society the appreciation of water has greatly diminished as water resources are taken advantage of and exhausted. Ninety-seven percent of the Earth’s water is salt (Barlow & Clarke, 2002). Just a mere three percent of the Earth’s water is fresh water and much of it has been polluted. Despite the fact that water is crucial for survival, this basic need is one that is not afforded to all. On the basis of profit, water has become a life and death situation. Wealthy people and countries with the ability to pay will have access to water. Those who cannot afford to pay for the basic need of water, that has now become a commodity, will go without and suffer in poverty. Drinking water scarcity is a huge pandemic. Due to human’s selfish and non-sustainable impact of the water supply there is a global water crisis- the world is running out of water. Amongst developed countries and multinational corporations, there is a damaging mentality that water can be used without limit as long as there are no immediate or significant impacts. The environmental impact of this way of thinking is detrimental. In reality, all of the negative effects...
Words: 1808 - Pages: 8
...Water scarcity and the West. Water is a scarce and highly prized commodity in the arid Western states. Not surprisingly, water policy creation is very much a challenge for a number of reasons. Citizens hold multiple water values such as economic development and the protection of wildlife which are often contradictory. State prior appropriation laws are not easily reconciled with federal reserve rights and the public trust doctrine. There are multiple governmental and nongovernmental actors who work to influence and implement policy in a decentralized political system. If actors lose a policy battle in one decisionmaking arena (such as a legislature), they often try to influence policy at another venue (a court, Congress or an agency). Policymaking involves water issues that are dynamic over time. Furthermore, there are several types of water policy (distributive, allocative, redistributive and cooperative) that vary according to who pays costs and receives benefits, the level of conflict, the openness of decision- making to interested parties, and the level of government which dominates. Long ago, Mark Twain was correct when he said “Whiskey’s for drinking, water’s for fighting about.” © 2001 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved. 1. Introduction In the arid Western states, water has always been an important resource. For over 100 years, federal and state governments and local water users have worked to provide water to agriculture, industry and residents. Since 1902 the...
Words: 7161 - Pages: 29
...Water scarcity has become a major issue nowadays, specially in this arid zone that is Texas. As stated in the article, “Texas has been experiencing a severe drought since 2011 and it is contemplated to remain that way for more years” (Phillips, p 1), so it is necessary to start implementing mechanisms and regulations that help to conserve the water we have. Our legislators and policy makers have to consider changing the actual system of distribution of water as well as the regulations and rules for the use and property rights of water. Since farmers are the one sector that consumes the most total water, perhaps major regulations should start there. Of course, these regulations have to be in a way that every part involved gets benefited. For...
Words: 280 - Pages: 2
...the United States. This is due to a combination of rising scarcity, increasing energy prices, and rising awareness of climate change and the lack of water availability. These issues have encouraged public officials to use water pricing and other incentives as a tool to motivate further improvements in water use efficiency in agriculture and other sectors. Many parts of the U.S. have been battling drought, and the world population is ever increasing. In 1961 the world population was 3 billion, now it has more than doubled at almost 7.5 billion people (U.S. Census Bureau.) Irrigated area increased from about 139 million hectares to 263 hectares (Howell 2001.) Average use of...
Words: 2103 - Pages: 9
...Describe and explain the global distribution of water scarcity Fresh water is a finite resource. 80% of global fresh water is trapped in ice, snow or permafrost. The remaining 20% is mainly groundwater, only 1% of this is easily accessible. Around 1.4 billion people lack clean drinking water, 2.4 million people have inadequate sanitation and 0.5 billion face water shortages every day. The distribution of fresh water is uneven, leading to a ‘water gap’. Water stress is when demand for water exceeds supply, and is quickly becoming a global issue. Water scarcity is a more extreme version of water stress. Physical water scarcity is when a country is utilising more than 75% of the water available to them. Some countries suffer from economic water scarcity. This is when a country is using less than 25% of the water available to them. Greater demand for water than supply of water can cause physical water scarcity because there simply isn’t enough water in specific locations such as North Africa, middle east, California and south east Australia. Places which don’t suffer from physical water scarcity are places such as western Europe, Scandinavia and Canada. Physical water scarcity is caused by a variety of factors. Demand is outstripping supply because there is a higher population now than 100 years ago. In the last 100 years population has almost quadrupled in size. Increased population growth also means a larger supply for food and agriculture. Californias population is at 37...
Words: 1302 - Pages: 6
...Do you think the company's (either Pepsi or Coca Cola not both) actions adequately address the problem of their water usage by making more water available in other places? Explain your answer. Yes, I think Pepsi has tried its best to address its problem with water usage. First of all, the numbers say a lot. According to PEPSICO (2015), the company was able to save nearly 14 billion liters of water, equivalent to 15 million dollars in the year 2012. Second, the website also mentioned that in 2011, PEPSICO was able to restore 14.7 billion liters, exceeding the 6.3 billion liters of water used in the manufacturing facilities. They accomplished this through the multi-pronged approach to working with our communities, engaging farmers and improving in-plant activities. It is important to let not only Pepsi itself, but also all the suppliers around the Pepsi industries to work together. Also, it is essential to educate workers to know the importance of water conservation. According to Bloomberg Business (2007), workers have organized themselves into teams with names like Golden Lion and Ambition. They post Japanese-inspired Kaizens or suggested improvements, to reduce waste, illustrating the ideas with cartoons and stick figures for added clarity. According to these data, I would say that Pepsi has done an excellent job. Do you think either company would have done this without the negative press? With eco-friendly and long-term development as one of the hottest words in the industry...
Words: 384 - Pages: 2
...California. Once admired for being “the place that never rains,” is now a growing concern. The lack of water is not only affecting the environment, but is worsening the economy. The drought of California has become familiarized throughout the United States. Although...
Words: 524 - Pages: 3
...for those who prefer a more linear approach, as a text version. [pic] • Scarce Resources: o Land ▪ Rent o Labour ▪ Wages o Capital ▪ Interest o Enterprise ▪ Profit o Uneven Distribution • The Science of Choice (linked to Scarce Resources) o Value o Utility o Sacrifice ▪ Opportunity Cost How do we sum up the basic economic problem? We all suffer from it and spend most of our lives trying to resolve it. Essentially, the economic problem stems from the fact that as humans, we have unlimited wants and needs. A need is something that can be seen as being essential to survival, such as food, water, shelter and warmth. A want is something that we would like to have but which is not essential to survival - a car, the latest version of the PlayStation, that new top you have seen in Top Shop, the mobile phone with all the latest gadgets on etc. The problem is that the world and every individual in it have limited resources in relation to the wants and needs we have. We never have enough money to get what we 'want'. There are never enough resources to make sure the health service works properly; teachers and lecturers will...
Words: 2225 - Pages: 9
