The problem is most evident in arid areas. Cities like Phoenix, San Antonio, and Las Vegas are finding their local water supplies dwindling. Irrigation is still very much an option, but at what point does this importation become too expensive and/or the areas that are being irrigated from begin to start hording their own supplies. Another major issue is water rights regarding running water. Some rivers are dammed or diverted for local purposes, thus harming areas that are reliant on this supply downstream. This happened earlier this decade when some running water was dammed up in Nebraska and had a negative effect on Kansas farmers, resulting in a federal lawsuit. Issues like these are just the domestic perspective; it does not even take into account the major issues facing areas like Saharan Africa.

Why is this a big deal? Water truly is the basis for life. Beyond just drinking water, the liquid is necessary for crop production. Everything we eat involves heavy use of water somewhere in its production process. Water is also important to industry. Whether it be to provide electricity, be an actual ingredient in the production process, or to serve as a cooling element, no manufacturing business would get far without large levels of easily available and inexpensive water.

The best solution to this is conservation. Unfortunately, a great amount of our current water use is just waste. There are steps that can be taken on a small scale to use less water for individuals that would add up quickly if taken by the masses. You have heard the clichés, take showers not baths, do not water your lawns unless absolutely necessary, etc, etc, etc. This does not provide the end-all-be-all answer though. Eventually, we will need to find better ways to harness ocean water. Three fours of the earth is covered by water, but salt water is not usable for the majority of our needs (not drinkable, dries out crops, corrodes machinery, etc). Desalinization processes are available to remove the salt and leave the water, but unfortunately these are still too expensive to be used for mass production at this time. Methods will have to be invested that make these processes more efficient, or a completely new invention will need to come along that is much more affordable. If we do not find solutions, they will be forced upon us whether we like it or not.

- EW
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I do not want to turn this article into a rehash of Who Killed the Electric Car? (For those who do not know, this was a documentary on the rise and fall of General Motors EV1.) The EV1 was a mid-90s electric car that was available for monthly leasing. It gained a very loyal following, but struggled for overall profitability. In their infinite wisdom and track record for foresight (tongue planted firmly in cheek), the executives at General Motors chose to not only discontinue the project, but to scrap the EV1s altogether. Regardless, this experiment did prove that electric cars were a viable form of transportation for a section of the population at a less than outlandishly expensive rate. Compare this to the hydrogen battery, which is a LONG way from being viable for most of the population. It is a much LONGER way from being even semi affordable to all but the wealthiest. As such, the only non-fossil fuel form of energy available that can meet the needs of most of the population is standard electricity.

One of the automakers that is leading the way for the next generation of electric car is Nissan. This December, Nissan will be debuting the Leaf, an acronym for Leading Environmentally friendly Affordable Family car. With a suggested retail price of roughly $32,000 (actually $25,000 after tax credits), this car features a lithium ion battery pack that allows for a range of roughly 100 miles (which has already been questioned and disputed by competitors such as Tesla) and a shelf life of anywhere between five and ten years. Standard recharging can take up twenty hours from empty to full, but Nissan also offers a quick recharge unit that allows for 80% recharge within 30 minutes (but this also lowers the long-term performance of the battery pack).

These specifications allow the Leaf to meet 95% of the needs for most Americans. If it were to serve as a family’s second car (with a standard internal combustion engine being used for travel that required a greater range), there would be few drawbacks. In fact, with the average American spending roughly $3000/year on fuel, the price of the leaf drops linearly for every year of use. One could make an argument that the total economic hit for 5 years of use of the Leaf is actually only $10,000 when current gas expenditures are taken into account. Bear in mind that number goes even lower when we take notice of the ever increasing price of fuel and the time value of money (accounting principal that money now is worth more than equal money later).

The long term success of the Leaf (and ilk that will be rolled out by competitors in the near future) remains to be seen. But if the electric car is the future (as it likely is), then the future is almost here.

-EW
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What stopped new construction of nuclear power plants and reactors in the first place? First, nuclear power has always been an iffy political proposition. The dangers of radioactive waste make it extremely unpopular with environmentalists. Also, even supporters of nuclear power have taken a strong NIMBY (not in my back yard) approach regarding it. They want the power and the advantages that it provides, just so long as the plant is located as far away as possible. Eventually, every area takes this stance to the point that it becomes impossible to build anywhere. Another factor that shut down nuclear power construction in the 1970s was the near disaster at Three Mile Island. While this was a far cry from Chernobyl, things almost got too far out hand. This combined with the coincidental release of The China Syndrome, a movie starring Jane Fonda and Michael Douglass that dealt with the potential dangers of nuclear power. Together, these factors made new sites for nuclear power very unpopular in most areas with enough voters that it became impossible to find new sites.

However, times have changed. The general public has an extreme need for more power sources. When the need is great enough, nuclear reactors look like a better option. Blackouts in California in the past five years showed how reliant the nation’s infrastructure is on reliable electrical output. With regards to environmentalists, the fact of the matter is that every form of mass power production is unpopular with most of them. Coal results in air pollution, hydroelectric plants destroy forests and entire ecosystems, windmill farms are deemed an eyesore by many and they have questionable efficiencies, oil is dirty and puts the nation under the thumb of Middle Eastern sheiks, etc. At the end of the day, it is all about balancing the pros and the cons. As for The China Syndrome, Three Mile Island, and even Chernobyl, these are all becoming distant memories of a completely different time. Nuclear power has been safe (in terms of results) all over the world for three decades now. The biggest fear is now external, as in what effects a terrorist attack would have on the facilities. People are tending to feel relatively safe about the facilities themselves.

The last deterrent to nuclear reactors is still the biggest – NIMBY. This is still a strong mentality, but what has relaxed it a bit is the down economy. New power plants mean lower energy costs and more jobs. When people are suffering, their political and personal beliefs regarding a specific topic tend to start moving up or down a sliding scale. There are also government incentives being offered to areas that are willing to take on the construction.

The first two new reactors are scheduled to begin construction within the next year – assuming that this does not meet further political resistance down the road, which is a definite possibility given this form of energy’s history. A number of other areas across the country will be willing to take on this construction and the government subsidies that go with it should this project fall through. Regardless, nuclear power will be making a very strong return to this country very soon. It is hard to imagine any kind of an energy future for this nation that does not involve nuclear power in some way, shape, or form.

- EW
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It is tough to be able to experience respect regarding animals and not really feel respect for the surroundings. Ecology is in a desperate state and is putting the entire world at risk. If we don’t notice what we do then who will?! Whether we do end up making use of all of the assets and polluting everything then who would end up being harmed? It would be all of us! There is a structure of reciprocity among man and the planet, every person along with nature reveals goodness, and should understand that it is a moral responsibility to protect the ecology of the planet.

The Bible states that God offered man the ruler ship and dominion over everything the Earth. Nevertheless, this mandate continues to be misunderstood due to the fact man was not allowed to annihilate almost everything left and right. Dominion shouldn’t be isn’t associated to destroy or kill everything in sight, to the contrary, this means protecting those underneath our level. Most of Earth’s creatures should have an excellent standard of living but man has neglected the responsibility to support creation. Human legal rights may have an acceptable list of great intentions towards man but what about animals? Who will shield them? Where are their rights? Can man be the only one that has them?

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The SB1070 law proclaimed by the governor of Arizona, Jen Brewer, on April 23, 2010 took effect on July 29th 2010.

For Washington, immigration issues are the sole responsibility of the federal government, and local laws cannot override federal laws. On behalf of the Federal Government and her answer concerning this law, the judge, Susan Bolton rightly demonstrated responsibility of the federal government enforcing immigration laws in this country. However, in reality the context of this Law, has given other states the ability to try to imitate similar laws such as i.e. Florida.

July 29th will go down in history as a day that persecution over immigration will be carried forward with the pretext of legality, but actually racism is the main issue to overcome.

It is a disgrace in this country that preaching the values and respect will allow the state of Arizona to persecute and mistreat those involved in any type of discrimination related to race, color, religion, and ethnicity. The same governor of Arizona, Jen Brewer, signed another law that prohibits the school system to uphold among members of any ethnic group; especially to those targeted primarily to students of a particular racial group, as well as promoting resentment towards others particular groups.

In this state, they expel school children a little over a month before finishing the school year; over one hundred students will abandon school due to controversial measures taken by Arizona’s Governor, included in the anti-immigrant legislation, and enforced by the Department of Education of the state.

I would like to remind you all the damage done to the humanity during Second World War (THE HOLOCAUST). Today, in the 21st century, Arizona legislation is chasing the unprotected groups. Therefore, destroying all families including children unable to finish school.

Recall that Abraham Lincoln was the president during the civil war granting African-American their freedom. Since then, what have we learned? If history repeating itself? How far are we gotten?.

Our national security, our economic recovery and the future of the United States of America and indeed the future of human civilization depends on our country taking leadership. And that, in turn, depends on the United States Senate acting.

This is sending a clear message that a state passed such a heinous law, and any consciences person in this country have a moral obligation to speak about. The mere existence of what I believe in, all human are created equal, this is the foundation of our nation.

God Bless America.

Paul Chehade:.

http://www.solidary.org

Source:

http://www.1888pressrelease.com/immigration-racism-the-method-to-take-out-the-attention-o-pr-229517.html