COMMENTS:
I think that the growing shortages will be felt more and more as soon as this decade, but that it won't have a catastrophic impact on most for another 15 - 30 years.
Fresh water will become as scarce as oil, if not moreso.
So you don't think we'll ever figure out a cheap and efficient way to desalinize seawater?
The only reason we don't have that technology now is that we don't need it. If water ever becomes scarce it will rise in price right? So then it would become worthwhile to invest in such research and build the necessary plants. The free market saves the day again!
I am already packing to move to the nearest glacier with my heater.
herzog
I agree. Desalinize seawater is already being used in numerous countries that don't have much fresh water.
I'm doubtful ... so far, desalination techniques require a *lot* of time and/or energy ... more than most economies would be comfortable with.
What I am scared of is nuclear waste contaminating the oceans, then we are fucked
Cath: no doubt, because there's no market in it. Only a very few countries have the money and the need to invest in these plants, I believe kuwait is one. But if ALL the western nations were to be short of water there'd be more money invested in making desalination a practical process. And as such the cost would go down. Before automobiles came around there was no way in the world do distill the ammount of gasoline we produce now on a daily basis. As soon as something becomes profitable it becomes possible.
F*ck that, what if we ever run out of Baked Beans, Ooooh, just the thought, makes me go weak at the knees.
herzog
One point that I hope is always considered...
they never allow corporations to control the water treatment plants. That is one monopoly that should never exist.
...which is part of the problem because we want corporate investment we just don't want their greedy hands around our throats.
herz: You may have a point ... if the economics shifts so that more focus is put on it, the technology and production methods may well improve.
However ... will desalinizatuion on a massive scale shift salinity of existing water systems?
and baked beans
Cathexis
Interesting question about the removal of salt from the oceans on a massive scale...
Another possiblity is creating co2. Again this done on a massive scale or even using our fresh water resourses on a massive scale will affect the environment.
I don't know if the perfect answer is out there.
(I meant creating h2o )
I doubt it would have a major effect on the salt levels in the ocean. For it's doubtful we could such that much water out of the ocean that it'd have an appreciable effect. And two all the fresh water we make is going to end up back in the ocean eventually, so it'll balance out.
herz: One factor in deslainization's favor -- the economy will be shifted in perspective, when the alternative is No Water.
However, I am sceptical it will be done on a level that ensures fresh water for all. I believe that poorer nations will be shut out (as well as poorer populations within developed nations) and potable water quantities will become another measure of wealth.
Most people don't have clean water now, and in many places it is a measure of wealth.
We wouldn't have a problem if the third world would stop breeding so quickly. But that's another topic.
that is an excellent tpic though Herz.
I can't stand the fact that some of these cultures dont mind briging kids into a world where their lives are going to be nothing but miserable, WTF are these people thinking.
'that is an excellent tpic though Herz.'
Thanks, I thought so too, so I made a ballot about it. -47529
100 years
Voted : 100 years
It depends on how well we take care of what we have. Once it's polluted, it's gone. Without clean water, you're dead!!!
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