global worry... climate change crashes into development

[SteveP]

Dangerously Low on Water, Cape Town Now Faces ‘Day Zero’ - The New York Times

challenging future for a lot of people I thk.

[monadnocky]

A very, very frightening prospect for an absolutely breathtaking town (and a cycling mecca, to boot). Much of SA in in extreme drought, this is really just the most visible aspect of the crisis.

[ides1056]

also happening in Iran- there will be massive social unrest

[guido]

But we don't need to worry about climate change. Change our behavior, burn less fossil fuel, drive smaller cars. Nope. Fake news...

[Blue Jays]

They may wish to explore desalinization technology at this time.

[bking]

They may wish to explore desalinization technology at this time.

They're doing it.

[bigbill]

Is it all climate change or is outstripping of resources a big factor? Too many people for too little resources in that location. California experiences periodic droughts, but it's always compounded by the number of people it affects. We want to develop agriculture, golf courses, and live in warm sunny places, but those places are typically dry with limited amounts of water. They're never far from the tipping point of being in a crisis, and that is a case of demand versus supply.

[thollandpe]

The energy use of desalination likely makes it unsustainable.

We really need to acknowledge and get ahead of the water problem. Because in so many ways we have the pedal to the metal going in the wrong direction.

[Saab2000]

Is it all climate change or is outstripping of resources a big factor? Too many people for too little resources in that location. California experiences periodic droughts, but it's always compounded by the number of people it affects. We want to develop agriculture, golf courses, and live in warm sunny places, but those places are typically dry with limited amounts of water. They're never far from the tipping point of being in a crisis, and that is a case of demand versus supply.

Worldwide overpopulation is the elephant in the room WRT all things. For cultural and religious reasons nobody wants to talk about it but the planet has finite resources and space.

Current human population growth is ultimately unsustainable, not because we can’t all be fed, but because of the resources we consume.

[monadnocky]

Is it all climate change or is outstripping of resources a big factor? Too many people for too little resources in that location. California experiences periodic droughts, but it's always compounded by the number of people it affects. We want to develop agriculture, golf courses, and live in warm sunny places, but those places are typically dry with limited amounts of water. They're never far from the tipping point of being in a crisis, and that is a case of demand versus supply.

From what I understand it's a "both" answer. South Africa as a whole has been experiencing very bad drought conditions for over a decade, along with a large chunk of southern Africa in general - from what I understand, quite unprecedented given the area's relatively low, albeit fairly predictable, rainfall patterns. Wildlife all over southern Africa is really suffering, way past the seasonal drought film footage we typically see of both predators and prey drinking out of the same water hole out of desperation. Some game reserves are actually concerned that all their animals are simply going to die (many of these reserves do drill boreholes, but typical SA groundwater is very salty).

But... Cape Town has exploded in population,. especially over the course of the last 20 years or so. As the article points out, they have done a really admirable job of conserving their resources, but that only goes so far.

As to a previous post... Small desalinization plants are being built. But these are ungodly expensive - especially to build quickly - and require immense amounts of energy to run. They really aren't a long-term solution to the problem, at least not with current infrastructure.

[Saab2000]

The energy use of desalination likely makes it unsustainable.

We really need to acknowledge and get ahead of the water problem. Because in so many ways we have the pedal to the metal going in the wrong direction.

Solar desalination is the way to go. Many places with water shortages experience 300+ sunny days annually. I’m not an engineer but this seems to make a lot of sense to my pea brain.

[Blue Jays]

In his earlier academic lectures, Dr. Samuel Burl Kinison had encouraged listeners to note the historic topographic and atmospheric conditions of a locale as a technique to ascertain prevailing (and likely future) conditions for residents.

[hampco]

In his earlier academic lectures, Dr. Samuel Burl Kinison had encouraged listeners to note the historic topographic and atmospheric conditions of a locale as a technique to ascertain prevailing (and likely future) conditions for residents.

Uh huh. "Hey, it's a desert - you think it's gonna get better?"

[Greg Costello]

Fast forward a decade or so and this conversation is about much of the US Southwest. No need for a wall - no one will be able to navigate the extremely hot and dry landscape. Was in Tucson in December : Lyft operator told me folks burnt out in S. Cal. We're moving to Tuscon in droves - out of one fire and into another one coming.

[mjbabcock]

The realities of a 4-million person city without water is incomprehensable. I was listening to a news show that was saying they have something like 250 water distribution spots planned...that means that someone from each family is going to go get 25 liters (maybe it was gallons?) of water per person per day. Think of what that means if you have a 4-6 person household. Think of the time spent in lines...think about how much water it takes to flush a toilet...to shower...to do anything. They were pointing out that large corporate buildings were going to need porta-potties out in the street for the workers to use...

If folks thought Syria was bad, wait until this climate change shit starts really taking off. Populations are going to migrating in the coming decades...

[jclay]

Worldwide overpopulation is the elephant in the room WRT all things. For cultural and religious reasons nobody wants to talk about it but the planet has finite resources and space.

Current human population growth is ultimately unsustainable, not because we can’t all be fed, but because of the resources we consume.

Absolutely, 100% correct. On all points.

Barring some externality I don't forecast the necessary changes.

[guido]

The water wars will make the oil wars trivial in comparison...

[Matthew Strongin]

And in the meanwhile, the current administration is still fairly committed to fossil fuels over clean energy.

White House seeks 72 percent cut to clean energy research, underscoring administration’s preference for fossil fuels - The Washington Post

[guido]

Investors excited by the prospects of a Mar-a-Lago water park...

[0nelove]

Climate change, sure, but don't ignore the white elephant in the room- over population. Over population has been much more dramatic than climate change.

Anyhow, coming soon to a location near you.