Is there really a Drought?
Has anyone out there on the east coast of Australia stopped to think that only 200 years ago, the most eastern fringe, which we call home, only supported around 50,000 aboriginies? That's not a big population, is it? Imagine their water needs..... now imagine 17 million people living on that same strip of land... Hmmm, that may explain the water shortage, not the shortage of rainfall, huh?
So, what's all this political fuss about changing weather patterns and less rainfall? Less dams than we need perhaps, but lets add another fact to the mix. Those pristine springs, rivers and lakes of 200 years ago, are now also mostly polluted to some degree, with up to one-third no longer usuable without some radical filtering. This may all start to make it look like the rains have stopped falling, Marge, doesn't it? But does it....
Seriously, it is estimated that the average household in Australia wastes more water than anywhere else in Europe. That's 17 million people only drinking as much as 1 litre each per day, not to mention all the other stuff we do with water. It seems that (in Australia at least) the convict mentality remains resistant to the simple truth that one person does make a difference.
It is also interesting to learn that in the UK, they also have level 4 and 5 restrictions on water! You're kidding, all this in a region where it rains everyday of the year practically. It's not possible!
Hmmm, does anyone know the population of London?
So, what's all this political fuss about changing weather patterns and less rainfall? Less dams than we need perhaps, but lets add another fact to the mix. Those pristine springs, rivers and lakes of 200 years ago, are now also mostly polluted to some degree, with up to one-third no longer usuable without some radical filtering. This may all start to make it look like the rains have stopped falling, Marge, doesn't it? But does it....
Seriously, it is estimated that the average household in Australia wastes more water than anywhere else in Europe. That's 17 million people only drinking as much as 1 litre each per day, not to mention all the other stuff we do with water. It seems that (in Australia at least) the convict mentality remains resistant to the simple truth that one person does make a difference.
It is also interesting to learn that in the UK, they also have level 4 and 5 restrictions on water! You're kidding, all this in a region where it rains everyday of the year practically. It's not possible!
Hmmm, does anyone know the population of London?
However, I also think that government's within the 'western paradigm,' are not committed enough to ensuring that everyone gets rainwater tanks. For example, the rebate in SE Qld. Australia is $300 - which is good - but is given only if you buy a tank over a certain capacity (about 3,000 litres I think).
This smacks of lip-service to the growing urgency for people to find ways to conserve water on small suburban blocks.
Short of putting buckets out in the rain, and disconnecting our washing machine hose to the garden, there is little else possible to guarantee enough water for a long period of time.
Who makes these rules, don't we elect these people into office? As a race, don't we care anymore, is that it?
Enviro Warrior
An Extra Ordinary Life
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
Diet Dog
One of the things that could ease the strain till we sort out a sustainable solution would be to put a stop on further developments such as residential developments. How can we continue to promote an area for growth and encourage people to move here when we dont have the water (yet) to sustain the current population? I know it effects the economy (people who work in the building game etc) but the facts remain we won't have the water to support thousands more people in our area anyway. Just my thoughts, MB
Who knows where it'll end up. I'm glad though that Toowomba Shire Council is better than here in the Caboolture Shire where it is still only $300 no matter which way is up!
Good luck with it.
Enviro Warrior
An Extra Ordinary Life
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
The previous comment by "anonymous' was actually by me, I just couldn't drive the thing properly before. I've got it now though.
Thanks.