“Water: Adapting to a New Normal”

Summary and Response

In her article, Sandra Postel explains the impact that water (or lack there of) has in our environment. She explains that we are currently using more water than we should, and if we keep on the track that we are on then we will eventually run out of water. Postel does not give one solid answer for how to solve the problem; however, she gives multiple answers on a smaller scale that she argues will fix the water and energy problems. As a whole, Postel identifies various water problems, gives examples, and analyzes each issue by finding a solution to fixing the problem.

There are multiple problems that our world has that focuses on water. In the past few decades, there have been fatal floods, storms, droughts, dams break, and famines. Though one could maybe make an excuse about one or two of these natural disasters, because all of these are happening, it is not just a coincidence. Postel points out that many American may think that these events only happen in far away, third world countries. She argues that is not the case, and mentions many devastating floods that have happened in American in the past few years. After reading the first couple pages of Postel’s article, it is obvious that there is a water problem on our earth.

Next, Postel explains how important it is that we reverse the water problem. She connects energy and water, and argues that we need one to have another. Therefore, she says that lawmakers are in fact harmful when they try to protect either energy or water, because it makes the other worse. Though I won’t go into detail of how Postel explains we can solve these problems, all in all Postel would like farmers to use a drip irrigation system to avoid waste, for everyone to eat at least half of the meat they are currently eating, and create laws in order for these to go into effect. 

I found Postel’s article extremely intriguing. Call me ignorant, but I had no clue that water was an issue in the slightest. Since we see rain all the time, it seems like it is readily available to us. Not only rain, but when we go to the grocery store, there are shelves of water bottles that seem to be readily available. I can get up out of my bed and turn on the faucet within a matter of thirty seconds. Once again, readily available. I think that many people in the United States, as well as other industrialized countries do not realize there is a water problem because water seems to be so readily available. Maybe the way to solve the problem involves making the public aware of the problem. Everyone knows how the saying goes: “don’t fix something that isn’t broken.” If not enough people view the lack of water as a problem, then there will not be enough effort to actually fix the problem. This is the way multiple environmental problems are. It’s sad, but true. In my opinion, the first key to saving the environment is somehow coming together to educate the public on this water problem in order to take a step in the right direction. 

I agree with Postel on the subsidies. It makes so much sense to try and encourage farmers protect the environment. Sometimes it seems like we can do all the begging we want, but in the end it is the money that matters. This is why lawmakers need to figure out a way to financially support farmers who strive to protect the environment from erosion, runoff, etc.  I do believe that if farmers were given an incentive, then they would be able to improve this problem we are having, as well as others. I remember learning about hog “factory farms” in my sociology class last semester. In North Carolina, we went from thousands of small hog farms to only twenty-five large farm factories. This resulted in an extreme excess of hog poop. Who would have thought of that? The farmers had so much hog poop that they didn’t know what to do with it, so they started dumping it in these huge holes in the ground. Eventually, the poop did much more “harm” than the hogs did “good”. This is yet another reason why lawmakers need to make serious laws that prohibit farmers from pollution and waste. Not only farmers, but factory owners and companies should be part of the law as well. In my opinion, the second key to saving the environment is making and enforcing new (and perhaps) extreme laws. 

One might say that this plan of educating the public, and then creating laws is too simple, and that it wouldn’t work because it would only affect the amount of impact the United States has on the environment rather than all the countries of the world. This is my third key to success: I think we need to find a way to bond with other countries in order to make a lasting impact. I’m not sure the best way to do this because I’m sure many have had this idea. However, we should not give up until we succeed! If I tell you to breathe, will you “try” to breathe? NO! You will  breathe! This is why we should come together as nations of the world, not just “try” to come together as nations of the world and give up when it is harder than it seemed. Of course it is difficult, but it is worth saving our planet. So, the three keys to success are: 1) educate the public; 2) make laws; 3) bond with other countries in order to achieve success!