 Futurist Ivan Potter "There's a geopolitical new age" and it involves water.
(Murray KY, September 5, 2012) - The Clean Water Act, passed back in 1972, turns forty this year. Like most reaching middle age, the Act is getting a little gray and maybe a tiny bit behind the times, but the Act (known as CWA) is still relevant.
The Clean Water Act is in for a birthday celebration in Murray in October. There will be cake and punch, funny hats, candles and speeches and panels. It's time to celebrate a law that has kept US drinking water safe, allowing Americans to enjoy a benefit that is not worldwide. Potable water is becoming scarcer as desertification takes place across Africa and Asia. Populations, human and animal, are moving to find drinking water.
The Great Rivers Sierra Club, that meets at Murray State, invited futurist Ivan Potter to give them some background on the world situation. Potter discussed weather trends in recent years. He showed a power point presentation on the new global reality. Water is becoming as precious as oil. Potter's view is that climate events, droughts, floods, tsunamis, all center around water. There can be either too much or too little. As the climate changes, shifts in water will affect world populations. When asked if anything can be done, Potter said that he thinks that steps taken with the collective will of America will at least slow negative effects.
The gloomy news Potter shared reinforced the need for a recognition that America took action to protect its water. Members look forward to a panel that will consist of views of water and water usage across a spectrum. At least one river transport company official will be on the panel. Other panel members will be from government and the private sector.
Potter told the group, "We have to start talking to each other" to understand the issues faced by those who depend on water. This area, he said, is the home of five rivers. There's also major tourism, power production and industry in the Lakes Region.
The celebration, scheduled for October 18th at Murray State University, is co-sponsored by MESS, Murray State's environmental student organization. Sierra Club members are look to MESS to bring youth and vitality to the celebration.
It may be a 40th birthday party, but that doesn't mean it has to be just for the "old folks". |
