Is Water The New Oil?

Hello Wala's,

I received a very passionate email on Tuesday from user Green Queen (GQ) about Water, the shortages we face and the fact that if Water was priced as a commodity it would be more expensive than Oil. Well, I asked GW if I could share her email with the rest of the community as a blog and she agreed. So here you go. GQ thanks for being a member and thanks for the passion on this issue.

Email to Chief Wala from user Green Queen on Tuesday June 23rd:

I love your site.  Very comprehensive, fun and easy to navigate.  You also have wonderful contests and I love the way it looks.

One thing missing though is talk about water.  Water is becoming the new oil.  Farmers are selling their govt subsidized water instead of growing food.  Many countries around the world are experiencing drought that is for third and first world countries.

Seventy to eighty percent of water goes to farmers.  The entire industry needs an overhaul.  Conventional farmers use pesticides and chemical fertilizers that leach water out of the soil creating the need for more water.  Furthermore, the pesticides and chemicals pollute our air, water and food.  Tell me that makes sense.  

Companies like Monsanto are trying to control the farming industry so that only their seeds and chemicals are used.  This further increases the risk to water because it will further destroy the soil and continue to create a dry environment for food to grow.

In homes 70% of the water goes outdoor to make lawns green.  How can we change this ridiculous mindset?  What are the options here?  California is a desert yet in Southern California 90% to 95% of homes have lawns.  Lawns like climates like England, Ireland, Washington State states that are wet.  They require lots of water.  

However, there are grasses that can tolerate less water.  But in most regions these grasses are not considered.

Don't get me started on hand water the lawn, especially in the middle of the day!  Where do these people think the water is going?  Not deep down to the roots.  It is evaporated, runs off on to the sidewalk, ridiculous.

Most homeowners use chemicals and pesticides on these lawns further exasperating the problem.  They mow too often etc.

There are ways to capture water and to purify it for drinking, watering, flushing toilets etc.

As we all know water is a essential for human, animal and plant life.  Only 3% of the water in the world is drinkable and we are using it as fast as we can and polluting it.

What are the solutions?  Some say desalinize water.  But the energy for that is huge and 80% of energy comes from coal.  So we further endanger the environment.

Water is probably the biggest concern and problem we face in this decade.

If water were priced like a commodity like oil then it would cost more than oil.  In Australia water prices are going up.  In California there are water restrictions.  The list is endless.

It is important to respect water and always conserve it.  Population growth has put major pressures on natural resources.

Any way that is my rant.  How long will the water last?

(Photo added by Greenwala)