Pacific Spirit Marine Institute
Friday, October 19, 2007
City-states and climate change aren’t two terms being used in public but, they most certainly are being used behind closed doors when government and science collide over global warming.
Atlanta, Georgia has found itself on the brink of a disaster. Two days ago the estimated water reserve in Lake Lanier was enough to last only 81 more days.
Given the fact that Atlanta should receive nearly 14 more inches of rain per year than Seattle, Washington a drought in Atlanta seems out of the realm of possibilities, and yet it has happened.
The Army Corps of Engineers is mandated to release millions of gallons of water that flow downstream to Florida and Alabama. In spite of the fact that Atlanta is suffering the largest drought in their history. Much of the water released is part of an attempt to save the endangered Mussel. Freshwater mussels are among the most endangered organisms in North America from Canada all the way down to Florida.
The Governor of Georgia demanded the Corp stop releasing vital water, but the Corps has it’s orders. Florida’s Environmental Chief sent a warning to the Corps staying that reducing the flow of water from Georgia “would severely impact Florida’s natural resources.” Florida has already complained that Georgia is not sending enough water downstream as it is.
You can’t get blood from a turnip!
The Governor of Alabama is crying to the Corps for more water from Georgia. Alabama is also trying to cope with shortages. Georgia’s Governor says he is prepared to file suit to stop the release of his State’s water causing further tensions between the three states.
The National Weather Service expects this coming winter to also be one of the driest on record so it doesn’t look like there will be any relief insight for the near future.
Those of us paying attention to these kinds of things know that situations just like this one are only the tip of the iceberg. The States downstream can cry all they want about the lack of water being sent to them, but if there is no excess water to send what happens?
Last night the state held a public hearing in Rome, Georgia which drew a lively crowd of protesters. The County Commission Chairman was quoted as saying “I’d rather not characterize it as a fight…as competing interests that we need to find some solutions to.”
Bad moon rising!
Officials may, rather these types of issues not be characterized as fights, but what they have on their hands whether they’d rather or not, is a festering boil on the rump of civility.
If the best they can do is ask their constituents to ‘pray for rain’, they have more problems on their hands than they realize. Atlanta’s problem isn’t just affecting other states it’s having an impact on other cities in Georgia. State versus state will seem like a cake walk if neighboring cities start feuding.
If officials are paying attention to the chatter on local Internet forums, and I hope they are, they will see that the locals are quickly becoming restless.
A few quotes from the local forums:
“Couldn’t the Army in Iraq use a few more soldiers? The Corps is Army, ship them off…”
“…Keep our water where it belongs: In Lake Lanier for all the wealthy boaters to enjoy…”
“Before you argue that endangered species stuff, just remember this: the mussels would eat you given the chance.”
“Endangered species…Boo! Species come. Species go. We have the ability to save ourselves over the mussels so we should. If a species is unable to continue existence for whatever reason then that’s the way it is, get over it and move on.”
“Disease, blight, famine, economical devastation and death are what will come with this idiotic attitude…”
Tossing the baby out with the bath water!
Today Georgia Law makers are trying to move legislation in Congress, that will waive the requirements of the “Endangered Species Act,”
As more and more people become pushed by the detrimental affects of Global Warming, environmental issues will be shoved out the window.
The sad thing is; man’s innate desire to survive happens to be predicated on the survival of the environment, it’s not the other way around.
Photo: 11Alive News. Protester wearing mussel shaped hat speaking at last nights meeting in Rome Georgia.
Labels: Army Corps of Engineers, Atlanta, Climate Change, Endangered species act, Global Warming, drought
© 2009, Pacific Spirit Marine Institute.
Global Warming Will Lead To Civil Unrest and The Use of Funny Hats
