Tag Archives: droughts

What can you do?

I have recently just returned from a Washington Environmental Youth Summit where I learned so much about climate change, what people are doing, and how anyone can help.

Having the opportunity to live in the United States, I heard words that really struck a chord. If you only care about yourself, you do not need to be worried. Now if you care about others, the people who are losing their homes through floods, droughts, intense weather conditions, and deforestation, you need to be worried.

Climate Change is real. It is happening everywhere. But unfortunately, developing countries are suffering the consequences the most. These are not the countries who are adding to the issue, but the countries who are suffering. Carbon fueling first world countries are releasing fossil fuels, warming the earth, melting the glaciers, and adding the most damage to climate change.

The other day, it felt like 118 where I live. This is not normal. I live in the middle of the United States. Summers are usually 80 to low 90 degrees. We also had a storm that knocked down trees and caused thousands of power outages. This is not normal. Yet people still say that there is nothing wrong.

So what can you do? The most important thing is to vote. If we want a difference made, we need to have action taken by the government. Right now, enough action is not being taken. So do your research, and vote for people who will take action.

Secondly, there are websites where you can check your carbon footprint. In the places where you have the highest carbon footprint, make changes in those areas. If you are eating meat three times a day, maybe only eat meat once or twice a day. If you drive too much, try to take public transportation or bike places more often.

Finally, be an advocate. Encourage others to follow these steps and help them understand the dire situation we are in. Climate change is real, and it’s happening. It is time to make a difference.

https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/carbon-footprint-calculator/

Droughts and Country Clubs

As many know, over the past few years, droughts have fueled the western U.S., causing a great lack of water. Lake Powell is an example of this, only currently filled to 26% of its capacity.

Source: AzCentral

Rivers and waterways all across the west are drying up, causing a lack of water in western cities. People are asked to conserve water and take shorter showers.

The only people seeming to get away with this are country clubs. Golf courses all around the west are getting away with keeping the courses green, using so much water. Per year, a golf course uses on average 152.5 acre-feet of water per year to irrigate an 18-hole course.

As the land is drying up, golf courses seem to not have any restrictions. Colorado rivers are at an all-time low.

Even though only few play the sport, golf courses are particularly an upper-class sport, usually played by men, making it difficult for them to just stop watering the courses.

source: Flickr

What can we do? The most noticeable option would be to shut down golf courses, and just keep a few of them going. Of course, most people are not the biggest fan of this.

Another idea is to compose new irrigation systems, reusing water and not wasting as much.

It is hard to believe that so much water is being used for the select few, while the majority are struggling.

source- https://www.deseret.com/2022/3/22/22988989/an-illogical-oasis-golf-course-water-usage-st-george-golf