Our Snow Pack

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With the increase in global temperature comes changes in weather, which affect more than just a “White Christmas”. Did you know that the amount of snow pack has a direct correlation with how much irrigation and drinking water is available? How about how much water we “lend” to companies for bottled water or fracking? All these things must come from the same resource: snow and rain. Certainly wells are a valuable water resource, but they are just one link in the hydro chain. In order to be sustainable, wells must be replenished and kept clear of leaching and pollutants.

As 2015 showed, summer is becoming a hotter proposition – and winter isn’t keeping up. The problem with water is that while it isn’t a finite resource (although some think so), it is not consistently distributed. Also, we have no control over it – and since we have disrupted the natural cycles of the seasons with increased greenhouse gases, we have to be prepared to deal with the changes that this produces in our weather systems. It may mean years of increased drought and decreased snow. It may mean a change in local species as animals move or adapt to climate change.

If humans as a species are to survive, we need to think less about borders and more about resources – specifically how to share them better so everyone has enough water.

In the meantime, let’s all pray for snow.

Do you think we should be concerned about water shortages?