The Colorado River, and the Civilization Dependent Upon it, Faces Dramatic Threats
Although climate change takes most of the headlines nowadays, the environmental threats we are facing are even more widespread. While climate change will exacerbate many of these problems, there are a number of other external issues that must also be urgently addressed.
One of those environmental disasters that is being worsened by climate change, but which also is being worsened by external events, is the destruction of the Colorado River.
SignOnSanDiego expands on this crisis:
The Colorado River has endured drought, climate changes, pollution, ecological damage from dams and battles by 7 states to draw more water. Now energy companies are sucking up the river’s water to support increased development of oil, natural gas and uranium deposits. Yet, the river must provide drinking water for 1 out of 12 Americans and 15% of our crops.
The river is so beleaguered by drought and past pollution that one environmental study called it the nation’s most endangered waterway. Researchers from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla said the river’s reservoirs could dry up in 13 years, depriving regions such as San Diego County of their main source of water.
In the eight years Bush has been in office, the Colorado watershed has seen more drilling than at any time since 1984 and Uranium claims have reached a 10-year high.
Oil and natural-gas drilling in Colorado requires so much water that if its annual demand were satisfied all at once, it would be the equivalent of shutting off most of Southern California’s water for five days.
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