Posts Tagged ‘climate change’
Our Water Crisis
Water is the lifeblood of New Mexico’s economy and communities, yet we face a growing crisis of scarcity driven by overuse and climate change. The stark reality is this: our current path leads to a future where water resources are severely depleted, jeopardizing our environment, economy, and way of life. New Mexico’s economic well-being critically depends on having sufficient water. Without water security, we have no economic security. We are already in one of the driest periods in the last millennium. Due to climate change, New Mexico’s best scientists project an average of 25% less streamflow and groundwater recharge within the next 50 years. Already, Rio Grande streamflow under the bridge to Los Alamos (at the Otowi Gage) has dropped 25% since 1988. With increased pumping caused by drought, a decrease in groundwater levels are accelerating across most of the state, to the point of complete depletion. Ongoing overuse, exacerbated by climate change, is a crisis that New Mexico is not facing up to.
Read MoreWe Must Update New Mexico Water Management for Today’s Multiple User Needs
New Mexico faces a growing water crisis, driven by climate change and overuse. Without swift action, water shortages could threaten our economy and way of life. Experts forecast that, within 50 years, our state will be 5-7 degrees hotter, with 25% less water.
Read MoreRainwater Catchment: a Path Back to Traditional Farming
The recently articulated vision of the Honoring Water Group, an informal citizen’s group meeting at Zuni, Vanderwagen and Gallup is: “Abundant water, respected and treated ethically. When water is honored as sacred, mutual flourishing is possible.” This citizen’s group, with much organizational support from James and Joyce Skeet of Vanderwagen, seeks to honor and protect water in…
Read MoreClean Water in New Mexico
Climate warming and water supply reductions also produce a range of subsequent adverse effects on the quality of our surface waters, which are forecast to impact both human and environmental health negatively. These effects also require our increased focus and concern.
Read MoreEquity
People know what they want and what they need. The planning process must help communities distinguish between these two things so we can figure out a way for everyone to share equitably in the abundance or scarcity of water.
Read MoreA Tipping Point Foretold
Will the future see the 2023 Legislature’s approval of new water policy laws and funding as a tipping point? As advocates for the improved water governance that New Mexico’s future requires, let’s work together to make it so!
Read MoreAll We Can Save: Truth, Courage, and Solutions for the Climate Crisis
Thursday, December 3, 2020, 4:00 to 5:00 pm, MST Join the nationally-syndicated public radio show Living on Earth (from PRX) and the Sustainable Solutions Lab at UMass Boston for a virtual conversation with contributors of ALL WE CAN SAVE, a new anthology featuring expertise and insights of dozens of diverse women leading on climate in the United…
Read MoreHealthy Soil Is a Reservoir
Maintaining healthy soil aids our water supply! Healthy soil is not compacted but is absorbent. Organic matter in the soil, microbes and plant material, is made of carbon. That, along with the minerals present, creates an aerated structure for the soil. The dead matter is food for the plants and structurally acts like a sponge.…
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