Totally confused but always optimistic

Wild Fires, Floods, Droughts… Repeat

Today’s national news headlines in the U.S. were filled with natural and man-induced events throughout the country. From out of control fire in California to the flooding of Missouri River to the drought faced by the residents of South Florida. All these events signal one thing - Lack of natural resources - and that the man cannot avoid these events no matter how hard it tries; be it U.S.A, Zambia, China or New Zealand.

FIRE

According to Good Morning America on ABC News, fire in Griffith Park - California could have been started by someone discarding a lit cigarette, which led to evacuations and that along with high temperatures and winds added to the misery of the firemen. How many times do we hear about fires in the state of California and although this isn’t the worst one by any means, don’t you think that the state of California has got to devise some plans on how to avoid or minimize such catastrophic events from occurring again? Authorities were also busy fighting fires in the states of Florida, Georgia & Minnesota (which had spread to Canada), most of it in the forests or the wild. My question about these fires is that since we were able save some trees from logging -legal or otherwise, can we all put some extra effort to save them so they can fulfill their purpose? i.e. provide us with some breathable air, shelter for the animals etc.

FLOODS

Weekend rains has left several Towns in Kansas, Iowa and Missouri under water. According to the authorities the flooding occurred due to heavy rains and the breakage of levees along the river. The impact of this flooding was the greatest in the Village of Big Lake, a town of about 150 residents.

These pictures in here are only a minute representation of what the actual condition is in those towns. Have a look at the following video, thanks to tskilbride on youtube.

(For those of you that are wondering what is my question here, sit tight for a few lines while I bring up the drought .. )

DROUGHT

Authorities in South Florida have restricted the residents from watering their lawns to once a week (from twice weekly) due to severe shortage of water in the area. These conditions are occurring due to shortage of rains and according to the experts, if the area does not get immediate rains with several inches of rain fall everyday for several weeks, the conditions could worsen, leading to more water usage restrictions which in turn would be a prime target of wild fires. The authorities will monitor the farm and lawn water activities from the air to ensure compliance and those not complying will be fined several thousand dollars. Apparently the restrictions are for residents only and the government departments do not have to comply with those (I made this up).

In the following sequence of videos shot by a Miami resident. The sprinklers in a city park were running for several hours - even after the residents complained to the watering authorities and city hall.

My Problem?

I am afraid my problem is all too common. I am not directly and immediately affected by any of those events but I am still offering some suggestions…. Lack of rains leading to drought leading to government restrictions leading to messed up farms and crops leading to fires leading to millions of dollars in damage.

SEE MY POINT!!!?

What can WE do to avoid all of these events? I am not a nature expert or a meteorologist by any means but I am sure we can offer some ‘easy’ suggestions. How about using some of that excess water I mentioned up there (flooding in the Midwest)? Somehow divert some of that down South-East to Florida, where there is a severe lack of water. I don’t know is there is an easier way to do it but I know we CAN do it if we want to. This water, when diverted to the region where it can be used, can avoid the drought, fires and any more loss of vegetation or valuable resources. I know this cannot be done in 2 days or 2 weeks but I that human beings are capable of coming up with something of this nature in the near future to avoid these series of events that I think are interrelated.

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