Five requirements to solve the emerging water problems in the west

Unsplash.com | Water level in Colorado river basin

Today was a day about the water. I spent an hour listening to New Mexico state officials talking about the 50-year effects of climate change on our water availability while glancing out my window and seeing the middle school children playing on the playground. They will inherit the world we're creating today. So our state officials are developing a plan. The plan identifies a 5-degree increase in daily temperatures, at least 25% less water availability for my state.

Of course, their crystal ball could be wrong, and it could be better or worse. They identify two solutions to this massive problem: Conservation methods and supply solutions. The Legislature is testing a plan to change the use of water from agriculture to domestic. But they admit that increasing supply during this climate crisis isn't likely. Perhaps just because it's hard, we shouldn't just dismiss it. It has to be part of the solution if people want to continue to move too and live in the central and southwestern part of the US.

Moving Water

Moving water from the areas where they have too much to the western states is complex. It requires a significant change in the way we see water. Is it mine or ours? Who owns it? So what needs to change.

1. Water Law — We will have to create a set of national water laws that take precedence over the mishmash of state laws currently in place. These new laws will have to allow for water movement across state lines and determine how the costs will be shared between those giving up water and those receiving the water.
2. Water Movement Infrastructure will be needed. However, it's clear that using our current technology, we can build the infrastructure we need if we have the will to do it and see the benefit to our nation.
3. Water Economics. Moving water won't be cheap, but it will be necessary to continue growing crops to feed the nation in the western states.
4. We must curtail greenhouse gases. We have to continue our efforts to minimize carbon emissions through carbon capture strategies and fewer fossil fuels. The smaller we can make the need to move water, the easier it will be to solve.

And if we don't.

If we don't solve this problem, many consequences will affect our future lives.

1. We will lose the freedom to live where we want. We will no longer be able to move freely around the country if a significant part of our country can't provide enough water for life.
2. Migrations. We will force migrations from the middle half of our country into those areas with enough water.
3. Food Production. Farmers and ranchers who are currently producing the food we eat will be forced out of business or forced to relocate.

Summary

Conservation won't be enough to alleviate the future effects of climate change. We must start working on ways to increase water resources in our basins to meet our future needs. Waiting for the next 50-year plan will be too late. Now is the time to protect our future way of life for our children.

My parents' goal coming out of World War II was to encourage me and enable me to have a better life than they had. We should do the same for our children!