WHERE'S THE WATER?

WHERE'S THE WATER?

By T.J. Rockford

  One would assume with this planet being covered with more water then land this wouldn't be an issue, Well guess again!

  The Earth is covered by 71% water and of that over 96% of that water is in the ocean, So that leaves a little less the 3% left as fresh water!

  Seems like a small number considering the amount we see in areas such as the great lakes, or for the fortunate few that still have a lake in their back yards unlike some not so lucky people in parts of the world where their lakes have all but disappeared!

  We humans are facing some serious and troubling times in the not so very near future! Oops, The future is here! See how fast that happened!

  Those that do pay attention already see parts of the U.S. that are facing a water shortage and a crisis. We have been constantly hearing of the shortage of water in California and this has only gotten worse over the years.

  It's far from just California that is affected! There is a shortage happening all over the globe! Though we in the U.S. tend to back shelve others issue's until they affect us in some form or fashion directly!

  Lake Meade is at a historical low presently and the water department there is letting it dip a few more feet before they start a bit of relief by opening the gates! Which certain areas can fall and rise due to conditions, But the conditions the human race is facing is one that is slipping from our control each and every day!

  Our climate is in a change that is heading in an uncertain direction though we can paint a pretty good picture! As for what is going on presently with water shortages in certain areas of the world we do know are because of what humans have done and are still doing!

  
  Human interaction is the cause and affect it's that simple! We see the cutting down and burning of the rain forest in South America and this is being done to create more land for food type essentials such as crops and mostly cattle. 

  Unfortunately in doing this it has caused a change in how everything works environmentally in this area and the affect is being felt!

  South Americas largest city Sao Paulo Brazil is literally almost out of water! Who in the world could imagine this happening? I know I'm having a hard time! For the last few years they have actually had count down's to the day they would be completely at empty!

This is one of Brazil's Aquifers! As you can see

instead of  water it's growing grass!

  I think of South America and the rain forest I think of nothing but a damp and wet place! Well thanks to all the deforestation it has changed the weather patterns in that area and this is what happens!

  It's not just there where water is going extinct it's all around their neighboring villages and cities as well even Rio De Janeiro is going dry! 

  It sounds like some crazy conspiracy theory especially considering their location we are speaking of! 

  This is no conspiracy and it is really happening! So if we see it happening there let's do some hunting!

  We see the effects happening around areas of large populations which of course makes sense! The problem is the population! New studies show that more than half the people in the whole world suffer from catastrophic drought conditions at least one month out of the year!  Then a quarter of the worlds population is in drought conditions the whole year long! 
  How are those statistics? Sound alarming? We haven't even scratched the surface, and the surface is looking pretty dry, and scary!

  One of the big problems as said is the worlds out of control population growth! With more people come more needs! Needs such as food! 
  Now agriculture is a huge area of water consumption and you need to see it in this perspective.
  Humans need to eat and we eat things such as vegetation from crops. Needless to say it takes an amazingly large amount of water to grow things in case you didn't know!
  Now we have to look at food items such as cattle! Cattle eat crop items as well so now we are growing massive amounts of crops for cattle along with humans. It's a whole lot of water!

  The next biggest water consumer is industry such as agriculture and mining! With the newer technology of fracking to get to oil it takes a huge volume of water and even worse it pollutes as well! As if the water waste wasn't bad enough we're going to poison the rest of what's left! Makes sense only if your a human!
  
  With the way the climate has been changing and the greater volume of water humans are using mother nature is not providing enough to balance the usage out! We are just not getting the same amount of snow and rains to offset this and there is only one solution! Well there is a couple but I don't think 4 billion out of the 7 on Earth will like being told they need to leave!

  The other is our insane consumption of fossil fuels! We have been told what is happening to our climate! We know the deal and now it is getting even worse for the human race and our survival what will we do? 
  The answer is continue our insane course of self destruction!

  Think of how rain is produced by our atmosphere soaking up the moisture from the earth until it soaks up so much it eventually comes back down as rain or snow!
  When the water from rivers and lakes have been depleted there is nothing left for the atmosphere to soak up and you can see where this cycle is going!

  Of course this is only going to be the issue in certain areas as most of the planet is covered by water from the oceans of the world! But by doing the things we do it is causing a negative impact nonetheless!
  South America is not the only place where deforestation is happening! This is happening at a global level even the islands of Indonesia's rain forest are suffering now as they to have been cutting down the forest there as well! And guess what for? If you said oil you get a gold star!

  I really just can't get over the fact that we do what we know is the thing that will destroy us all! It's not even a matter of IF! It WILL! The only big question is when and how?
  Will we die from a water shortage first? Or will the climate have changed so drastically that some catastrophic event will happen and beat the water shortage to the punch!

  I do believe the earth feels what is happening and in order for the earths own survival it will do what needs to be done out of sheer self preservation!  
  We know this has happened through the earths history and every time there has been something tipping the scales such as climate issues something ends up giving!
  
 We humans have an attitude that we are so smart, We have it all figured out! I see Saudi kings act and look like they are above everything in existence
 and nothing will affect them! 
  I see the Pope and the way he carries himself like this is no biggie shielded 
from any dire events! 
  The same goes to these rich people such as "the Donald" (Trump!) His own arrogance will shield him from all!
  Funny thing about him (Trump) was the fact he publicly denounced climate issues as being a hoax and blamed the government for wasting money trying to do stuff about it! Despite the fact that 97% of the scientific community is agreed on reasons for climate issues!
  
  The other crazy thing with Trump is at the same time he's telling everyone it's a hoax his company is applying for permits to build this huge sea wall over in Ireland at one of his golf courses!
  All due to the fact they predict that sea levels are rising faster then predicted due to climate change, and they want to protect the golf course! 
  Talk about unpredictable, and people want this guy to run a country! Our species is out of control!

  The truth is no matter your beliefs or religion, if your rich or poor, good looking or ugly, short or tall, fat or thin, blue eye's or brown, your screwed!
  Simple as it may not seem we are looking at the beginning of the end! People will deny this and say things can get under control! It's a load of B.S.! 
  We are in a death spiral and the people smart enough realize this and hence fourth why things are still going and moving as always!
  We just can't stop everything in order to save the world! It just can't happen like that! 
  The people smart enough to see what shape the planet is truly in, and know that no matter how much we cut back stuff like the burning of fossil fuels it won't change anything at this point! Because it will be way to little way to late!

  If anybody has doubts just look at the shortage of water and ask yourself, How is this going to be resolved anytime soon? 
  All of these things were on there way to happening it was just a matter of time! It wasn't supposed to be this quick! I remember all the science talk of projections and what would happen if we didn't do certain things what would happen by a so and so date! Well guess what? That date was way, way off!
  
  Here's a little point to ponder! Back in the early 90's when hurricane Andrew wiped out Homestead Florida, I had gone down to do some work and help out.   The devastation that was done was incredible! And it has stuck with me like it was burnt in my brain forever! 
  It was truly horrific! What was even more horrific is what people are capable of when there is no food or water around! 
  People had to stand in line for hours upon hours just to get a jug of water and a small bag of sandwiches! These were the people that had lost everything and had nowhere else to go!
   I witnessed people at their best and worse all in one shot! I witnessed several beatings!
   I saw one guy that was accused of cutting in on the food and water line! He got jumped and beat half to death by 5 other grown men! 
  His whole nose was bitten off, half of one ear was bitten off, and he was knotted up so bad from the swelling of the blows to the face he looked none human! And yes I said body parts were bitten off! This is what people are capable of! 
  
  So now imagine a country, or a whole continent that is running dry of water or near enough they know something needs to happen!
  Water shortages will mean food shortages, starvation will be rampant! And yes it always leads to wars, just like the guy cutting in line somebody will get beaten! 
  lots are bound to die, and yes this was all foreseen years ago!  Heck I think this is even in the bible if I'm not mistaken! But I'm more of a hands on, need to see it happening in front of me kind of guy!  
 Well guess what? It's happening!

  I'm sure people will take little heed to what I've just said here, And some will not believe it at all!'
  If there is any smart people curious they will probably go online to see if any of this is remotely true, Which they will find it is!
  But what happens then? Most will just be thankful it hasn't affected them yet in any capacity! That doesn't mean it's far away from happening though!
  Others will say screw it! There's nothing I can do! So that's just what they'll do, Nothing! 
   Seem's like that is the biggest problem with all of this! No one is willing, Or for that matter cares!

  So for the time being in these early stages everyone sitting in their beautiful home's on some serene lake with a view, Such as myself! Enjoy it while it's there! And as a suggestion if you have family I would try to keep that lake view home, as that water in the back yard just might  be a gold mine! Or even more important it might be your last chance for survival, That is if can protect it, and yourself just like that guy cutting in line!

  There are some factors involved with South America's predicament. One being they had been warned five years before everything started going dry that this was on the way, But did nothing to seek any alternative measures!
  Not that there were many choices short of screwing something up even more so!
  The point being the more we use the more we have to seek other areas to tap into and then the more we deplete and screw up another form of pour environment! 
  It's a vicious circle and one that industry with big money at stake care's little about! 
  When does our survival outweigh the all mighty dollar? For your sake or your children's sake, people better start asking these questions!

IMAGES OF THE ARAL SEA BEFORE AND AFTER 

HAVING WATER DIVERTED BECAUSE OF SHORTAGES!

NOW WHAT?  

  

  

Climate change? Start with an attitude change!

ATTITUDE CHANGE!

T.J. Rockford

  As we're all aware of we are running into some serious climate changes on the way even if we actually start doing something about it now!

 So doing something about it really needs to start wouldn't you say? Yes most governments have jumped on board and agreed that there is an issue and they are all going to start working on lowering certain type's of emissions which is great! 

  In my personal opinion it's way to little and way to late, But what can we do? Stop everything and then what? 

  I live in a town that has had a recycling program at our "transfer station" (Fancy name for dump) for quite a very long time now, so that's all good and great! It makes everyone feel like their doing their share in saving the planet, plus it saves the town a bit of cash which trickles down to us in savings!

  The problem is it's costly to recycle and we're still adding to the pollution issue when going through the recycling process! But it's a lot less then not doing it so it does help to an extent!

  I'm a very concerned person about climate issue's and at time's wish I could do a lot more than I do! though I'm like many and kind of limited to going green because of the cost! Sadly it's not cheap doing the right thing for the world!

  The one thing I'm into is gardening and have been for several years now! I have a good sized road side garden that needless to say is the hardest type to keep maintained and keep thriving due to where I live.

  Here in the state of Maine we get snow in the winter and with the location of my garden it takes a beating from the plow trucks flying by and spraying snow 15 feet through the air!

  So when the roads get sanded down and whatever they mix with the sand nowadays to help melt the snow "which I think is some kind of calcium?" It covers all of my shrubbery and perennials. So come spring time it's an utter mess to get back up to par, But I do faithfully every year!

  I live in a rural area where I have around 15 neighbors up and down the road and all the people have been very grateful for what I have done with the area because all that was there before when I first bought the house was an old stockade fence! 

  So when I started this endeavor I ripped down this pretty good length of fence that was blocking a pretty nice view of the lake I live on! 

  So it really opened the place up and at the same time made it look nice with all the flowers and shrubbery I've added over the years! Which I don't mind doing as I really enjoy the gardening part! 

  

 I've always had a pretty good green thumb which could be contributed to the fact in my youth I enjoyed rockin' the ganj! Which in turn I grew to my particular desire and seemed to have a particular knack at! Which is a whole different story so onward we go!

  The point being every year I buy a ton of annual flowers to fill in all the voids and add some really nice color!

  Plus it's great for the environment! The bee's, bird's, butterflies, Etc, and even us!

  The problem I have always had is when buying all these flowers and what not I end up with a zillion plastic carrying flats and all the plastic pots everything is grown in!

  The problem with these items are they are not recyclable! So into the trash the go! And man alive that irks me six ways of Sunday!

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   For the last week now here in the Vacationland area the weather has finally hit that time of year so we can start planting stuff once again! 

  Which true to form and fashion I always get an early jump to getting stuff going in the ground, which bugs a few of my neighbors because I always beat them to the punch! and at the same time kinda makes them feel like they have to start making their places look nice as well! Which I think a few dread having to do this kind of thing, but they feel they must keep up like a competition!

  So that's another reason why I don't mind doing this kind of thing because I help to enthuse others to help with supplying some much needed environmental friendly life, for other life!

  Now this is where the story takes a turn to my dismay! I have been going to a certain greenery for a few years now and have always enjoyed the huge stock and variety of everything they have which is a lot!

  Well before I had started going to this place I use to got to another much smaller business that was run by this real old very nice gentlemen!

  He had passed away a couple of years ago at the age of 87 which was a great loss! He had started to run this small greenery when he retired from his real world profession and did so right up to the day he passed,  faithfully!

  I had very good relation's with this man because he was much like myself, real and down to earth! 

  He didn't run this place like a business, but more like a hobby which he enjoyed greatly! 

  He was doing what he enjoyed and at the same time made a little extra money and was helping make the world look a little better and be a little healthier!

  I had gotten in the habit of always returning all the flats and plant containers when I had finished getting everything in the ground. Which worked out good for him by saving a few bucks on buying more! and me for not liking to have to throw this stuff in the trash!

  Well since he's gone now and I've started going to this other much larger place I've had to do exactly what I don't like having to do, by throwing these plastic containers out. 

  With this nursery being larger they have a very big following, and every time I go there it's very busy and I haven't really had a chance to pin one person down and ask about these container items, until just the other day and it really didn't go to smoothly!

  For some reason I envision the type of people that would own and operate a place such as this as being something like me and the older gentlemen I use to deal with!

Down to earth and environmentally aware, or at least environmentally conscience! I mean heck your dealing with the one of the two main ingredient's that makes this world survive!

  So anyway I got my big chance to ask! I actually had been there the day before so I happened to have a small stack of some containers, So on my return trip I had them in hand and brought them in with me.

  I had went around and picked up all the stuff I had planned on buying and proceeded to the check out and once there I asked this younger guy running the register if by chance they took back their small flower containers? which as I said I had them with me in hand, He just looked at me like I had two heads! like there was something wrong with me!

  He had no idea what to say so he blats out across the store to this other women that happened to be the owners wife and she came over and grabs them like it's this big hassle, and very rudely say's NO we usually don't! and just walks away with them!

  I'm like kinda dumbfounded trying to collect some sort of thought to what just happened? when this elderly lady standing beside me in line say's gee'z I thought that was very good of you!

  The only thing I could come up with to say in this very disturbed state of mind I was in was,Yeah reduce, reuse, recycle isn't that the slogan the world has been telling us all? 

 Thankfully she said yes your right we should! Which I'm pretty sure she was saying because of the bewildered look in my being!

  So as I was leaving in my shocked state of confusion a few things were zipping through my mind as to why?

  Why wouldn't they want these things back? It would save some cash on buying new, Plus your a business selling things that are essential for the planet wouldn't you think these type people are some kind of environmentally friendly people?

  I'm assuming the answer is no their not! No they don't care about the cash nor the environment! 

  When I was leaving I was thinking are they just a bunch of capitalist mongers!

  But heck their not really even that because if they were they would want the containers back! I mean really I had already paid for them in the purchase of the flowers the first time around so it's not like I was getting a discount!

  What's with the attitude I got when trying to do what I would thought a nice gesture! or at the very least a good appreciative deed? 

  Wasn't really expecting a "thanks for your garbage pal beat it!" There was nothing wrong with the container's, they were as is when I bought them! 

  So I guess I've learned a lesson! First not all people running a garden nursery are environmentally friendly, Or for that matter friendly at all!

  Number two people really need to start changing their attitudes towards the climate issue because it's not a matter of if it's going to happen? cause I hate to break it to everyone, it's already started!

  And until people get this sunk into their heads, it's about to get really shitty! And get the I wish I "HAD" done something about it when I had the chance stupid mentality out of their heads and get with the program now! 

  The ATTITUDE CHANGE needs to start now! There's already a water shortage in places around this world that's seriously on their way to  a catastrophic level for people! And then we have people that don't know these fact's because it's not affecting them yet! Or the other few that thinks their being lied to, but that's because their idiot's

  With every action people do there's an equal and opposite reaction! and so far it's all been bad! We really need to change this attitude that if we just don't think about it, it isn't happening!

  I really have a hard time believing there isn't more people out there as nervous as me about what's happening right now! I just don't get it? 

  I sure hope my message may find a few and those few actually take heed to what is truly going on because in a very short time things could be going in a direction they are nowhere near ready for, even though there's been plenty of warning!

  Attitude is the key to changing! So it's up to each and every person on this planet to take action! Though I know this will never happen because people have this attitude that someone else will take care of all these problems!

  Some think their governments will fix everything and make it all fine and better again!

  they've been these type people that have been so reliant on the system because it's always taken care of them that it's like their brainwashed into a false existence!

   No body is coming to the rescue to save us! This isn't going to happen! I think the one thing that governments around the world should start doing to make people more aware of how serious this is, and that it's not some whacked out conspiracy theory! is to run a new slogan stating something like "ATTITUDE CHANGE BEFORE CLIMATE CHANGE!"

  Even though I'm fully aware everything we start doing now is probably to little to late hopefully in this slogan it will bring people too actually take an involvement into trying to do something, which with any luck will help! 

  

  With this final note as I was stating about the water shortage, I urge you to follow my blog as I will be discussing the locations in eminent peril right now!

  I will also be talking of locations that are in the high risk factor for their water sheds disappearing completely if things are not addressed immediately! 

  So please adjust your attitude and follow along as I discuss the greatest things affecting the planet, and it's inhabitants here and now, in the next up and coming blog!

Until then stay strong in your convictions and hopefully they will rub off on the person next to you!

  One more quick note, If any type nursery were actually environmentally friendly and were trying to do a part in the battle of plastics they would be using environmentally friendly bio products such as below!

  There are several types on the market though due to cost a lot of nurseries don't use these type things for fear people won't want to pay the extra cost! Which is actually not to extreme!

  The sad fact to the matter is the actual cost we will all be paying shortly will be way greater then a few bucks!

  Attitude starts now! If you may encounter the same situation as myself try making a suggestion to your local favorite place you shop about changing to one of the many type products on the market today! Even a true capitalist will probably entertain the idea of switching because it's hard to make money when there's no world left to make money off of! All the best, and Good luck!

T.J.Rockford