What the hell are we going to do when the water runs dry?

Question

I just got done watching one of the videos on the Yahoo front page about the "epic drought" hitting the American southeast. They said that a town in Tennessee has already run completely out of water, and that Georgia, Florida, and Alabama are all at risk too. They also projected that up to 36 states face a similar fate within the next 10 years. If the tap runs dry in your town, what will you do?

Forgive me for saying so, but I think some of you are a little naive - it doesn't matter that 70% of the planet is water if 69% if outside of your coutry's borders and most of that is undrinkable. It is entirely possible that we will run out of DRINKABLE water, and that the current drought will persist for years to come. I'm not trying to be a doom n gloomer, just trying to state facts, and wake people up to the truth. If you would rather believe that we will never run out of water, so be it. The people in Georgia seem to think it is entirely possible, and I don't think the story is being sensationalized.

Answer 1

What has happened (I live in N. Georgia, BTW--I'm familier with this): Over the past 2+ decades, a series of Republican administrations in Georgia has given free rein to ill-advised development. They have disregarde d scientists and policy anaylysts that have told them--repeatedly--that the kind of growth policies they were implementing were--and are--unsustainable.

In short--the (GOP) in Georgia did this--in order to make money--simple greed at the expense of the welfare of the citizens of Georgia. Now the chickens are coming home to roost.

Georgia--the next Blue state! :)

Answer 2

good day i like that. If we could detect a good water resource, we could rig up swamp cooler, which suits best in dry situations. i ponder whether there is something fermentable in hell? Brewing beer or wine truly isn't that no longer undemanding. After that each and every physique we want is a pair decks of enjoying cards and that i think of it's going to all be ok.

Answer 3

The only reason we're facing a risk of water running out is because we (as a species) are stupid.

Over 70% of the planet is covered by water -- and all it takes is electricity to convert salt water or swamp water to distilled water. All of the states you name have coastal regions. Most also have swamps and lakes and rivers that are not dry.

If we actually put some effort into developing useful energy sources -- starting with wind and solar, possibly including nuclear -- we'd have plenty of power to distill as much water as anyone would need.

The fact that we don't is sheer stupidity and greed on the part of the utility and oil companies -- and it's our own fault for allowing their greed to get in the way of solving these problems. We've had the technology for decades -- we just refuse to use it because of politics.

Answer 4

My little community has not imposed any sort of water restrictions. I say this is just a temporary drought and will past within a year.

Answer 5

Have you seen a globe? The planet is 70% water. Many places are already building desalination plants. More places will build them as inland fresh water becomes scarce. But we will never run out of water entirely, that's just silly.

Answer 6

The Earth is comprised of more water than you can imagine. Land mass is insignificant compared to water. Yet of all the water on Earth, 99% of it is unusable by humans (for drinking).

So now is the time for scientists to find ways to convert our water to make it fit for human consumption. Otherwise, whoever has the most bottled water stored in their cellar wins!

Answer 7

Import water from China?

Answer 8

Desalinate sea water

Answer 9

Not much we can do, if that happens. Perhaps the powers that be should think about it. Maybe it would be better if we all did something, but What?

Answer 10

Talk to the people who don't believe in global warming. I am sure they have a plan.