Water Drought

Water scarcity in the Southwest is a serious issue caused by climate change. The Colorado River is in critical condition, leading to droughts and harming the environment. This problem affects everyone, but marginalized communities suffer the most. WaterSense is working to solve the shortage by promoting water-efficient products. Justice is a concern as certain groups face higher prices and limited access to clean water. To help, we should be mindful of our water usage and take shorter showers. It's important to prioritize the needs of marginalized communities and implement strategies to mitigate water scarcity. Hello, and welcome to EI. This episode, Navigating Water Scarcity in the Southwest, a podcast where we talk about environmental issues from all around the world. My name is Fletcher and I'm joined by my co-host, Ian. Say hi, Ian. Hello. Today, we will be discussing an issue affecting the Southwest, water scarcity. We have brought in a guest speaker, Avril, an environmental expert on this topic. How are you doing on this delightful evening? Fletcher, thanks for having me. I'm doing amazing today. Wonderful. For some context, the water shortage started two years ago due to gradual temperature change, which was caused by climate change. Thanks for the info, Ian. Avril, what is your outlook on the water shortages happening all over the Southwest? It's looking pretty bad over there. The Colorado River is in critical condition. Its water levels have been decreasing for a long time now, but we have only started recognizing its dangerous effects when it's too late. Quite a shame. Indubitably. What are some of the dangerous effects of this issue? As everybody knows, droughts are very, very bad. Terrible, you might even say. This lack of water seriously harms the environment around us. Without water, the surroundings have become dry and cracked. The old vegetation and animals that have lived there will die out. It also takes a massive toll on the people as well because they won't have enough water to survive. What groups of people are affected by this issue? Well, I can chime in on this one. Each and every one of you is negatively affected by this issue. These states produce more than half of our crops. These droughts have led to a lack of crops, which leads to higher prices and famine. Why did the price go up? Don't. Because I wanted to reach new heights. I'm going to boil you alive! Speaking of boiling, the temperatures are really high down there. The most prominently affected groups are the 182 federally recognized Native American tribes in that area. These communities face some of the highest poverty rates in the nation and often lack adequate food, infrastructure, transportation, and access to health and community services, which is accentuated by this issue. Ian, could you talk about a group working to solve this issue? Of course. A significant group working on solving this water shortage is WaterSense. WaterSense is a government-run organization that encourages water-efficient products and uses of quality products that use less water. Now, a fun and exciting fact with Ian. Fun fact. According to Colorado State University, nearly half the 204 water basins they studied in the United States might not meet the monthly demand by 2071. Oh jeepers. And that's all I got. Oh. Well, so why learn about this? How does this issue relate to justice? Are all demographics equally impacted? Tell me why. Ain't nothing but a heartache. Tell me why I am such a mistake. Tell me why you won't shut up. The issue of water scarcity in the Southwest has significant implications for justice, as not all demographics are equally impacted. Marginalized communities, including low-income groups, minority populations, and indigenous communities, tend to bear a disproportionate burden. They often lack access to reliable water sources, struggle to obtain clean and safe water, and face higher water prices, exacerbating existing socioeconomic disparities. Historical and systemic factors contribute to these inequalities, making it harder for these marginalized communities to adapt and mitigate the effects of water scarcity. Moreover, water scarcity can have detrimental effects on agriculture and food production, further exacerbating justice concerns. Farmers and agricultural workers often face financial hardships and job losses as crop yields decrease and agricultural lands become less productive. These economic challenges disproportionately affect already marginalized communities, deepening existing inequalities and contributing to food insecurity. To address these justice concerns, it is crucial to prioritize the specific needs and vulnerabilities of these marginalized communities in policies and strategies aimed at mitigating water scarcity. This includes involving them in decision-making processes, enhancing access to affordable and clean water, and implementing targeted initiatives to support their resilience and adaptation. By doing so, we can work towards a more equitable and just society that ensures the well-being of all demographics impacted by water scarcity. Dang, this situation is worse than I initially thought. This situation is one that can definitely not be solved by one person. How do you propose everyone can help to at least stall the situation from worsening? We should be more aware of how we use our water. For example, you can start taking shorter showers. A typical shower uses 5 to 10 gallons of water a minute. Limit your showers to the time to soap up, wash down, and rinse off. Don't just stand there and sing. You can also keep drinking water in a refrigerator instead of letting the faucet run until the water is cooled off. Thanks, Ian. Overall, you, whoever you are, and I, need to be more aware of what we do with our resources. Water scarcity is a major issue plaguing the Southwest. Billions of dollars have been lost, communities have been harmed and uprooted, and lives are at stake. So do what you can, even if it's the littlest thing like turning off the faucet when brushing your teeth. It has an impact. Well, that's all for today, folks. Thank you, Avril, for joining us today. And thank you, everyone, for tuning into our podcast. Have an awesome day. Fletcher and Ian out!