This year we are not accepting any excuses, only changed behavior.

 

Some of the Biggest Problems are Political when it comes to the Climate. Corruption and Greed from much of corrupt corporations and Republican politicians slow many of the simple solutions to stop or slow Climate change.

Considering that some of the giant dams and lakes in the southwest have been running very low on water in recent years, how would you answer the following inquiry? What kind of a water system could be designed to control floods, and move water to wherever it is driest using siphons and/ or something like drilling tunnels through mountains? Ones that are similar to the systems for underground mining, or those used to build underground bases. Also moving water around with canals above ground, like a continent-wide system to help prevent further depletion of water tables, help reverse desertification, and slow global warming. Also using some of the Permaculture ideas about water. Adding in micro-hydroelectric and mini-hydroelectric generation at whatever scale, to minimize the amount of electricity from fossil fuel or other renewable sources. Adding in considerations for using small and medium ponds and dams, wetlands, wildlife, and other sensitive areas. And creating newly constructed wetlands to purify waters and remove toxins, before they contaminate water tables, reach the oceans and pollute coastal areas, and damage ecosystems.

Designing a water system to control floods and move water to areas with drought involves a complex set of factors that need to be considered. While siphons and tunnels through mountains are viable solutions, they are costly and may not be feasible in all locations. Additionally, the design needs to be environmentally sustainable, socially acceptable, and economically feasible.

One option to consider is a combination of above and below-ground infrastructure. A continent-wide system of canals could help prevent further depletion of water tables and reverse desertification, while also slowing global warming. These canals could be complemented by underground pipelines and tunnels, which could help transport water over long distances and reduce evaporation losses.

Permaculture ideas about water, such as using small and medium ponds and dams, wetlands, and other sensitive areas, could also be incorporated into the design. Additionally, micro-hydroelectric and mini-hydroelectric generation could be added at whatever scale possible to minimize the amount of electricity from fossil fuel or other renewable sources.

However, it is important to consider the ecological impact of these designs. Newly constructed wetlands could purify waters and remove toxins, but they must be carefully planned to avoid damaging existing ecosystems. Wildlife habitats must also be considered in the design to minimize the impact of the project on animal species.

Finally, the social and economic aspects of the project must also be taken into account. Community participation and consultation is necessary to ensure that the project meets the needs of the people it serves. The costs of the project and its potential economic benefits must also be carefully evaluated to determine its feasibility.

In conclusion, designing a water system to control floods and move water to areas with drought requires a comprehensive and sustainable approach that considers environmental, social, and economic factors. While siphons and tunnels through mountains are possible solutions, they must be complemented by above-ground infrastructure and ecological considerations to ensure their sustainability.

New year floods in Missouri, Illinois, and Congress still has no clue. Happy new year, Love and light and insight to all.

Elected and appointed officials are not likely to come up with a coherent or common sense long range plan to deal with the worsening issues of water on this continent. Some for lack of a real life perspective of the problem. Some influenced by large amounts of money from those that stand to profit from water, and the continuation of the political insanity in America.
 Any way we look at it, it is a giant problem. In 2015 terrible drought from Arkansas to the west coast, Massive floods from Texas to the east coast. 

Giant dams and water systems are not the answer, but a vast continent wide system of local and regional, small and medium water control systems to store, control, move, clean, and use this water, as well as produce electricity to move this water.

Using Hydrodynamic systems, Siphon systems, ram pumps, archimedes pumps,
Also we must refill our water tables. Agricultural systems like permaculture will help slow flooding, along with infiltration ponds and water storage and control systems to move water to the driest places at the time of great rains and floods. 

Micro-hydro Electric systems for pumping water and electricity.
Ram pumps, for moving water up hill. Refilling the water table of the whole continent is of paramount importance.

First to deal with the water problem we must end the destruction of our water, Fracking, tar sand extraction and so on. Agriculture in the style of war, glyphosate herbicide  also called roundup has many problems,  including binding minerals in the body making them unavailable in the process of turning good fats into hormones.   2,4-D which is half of the agent orange defoliant used in the Vietnam war and known to cause cancer.   Atrazine which is know to cause frogs to spontaneously change sex and to cause breast, uterine and testicular cancer, etc. Many are Biocides and, or  cause endocrine disruption, that are destroying our ocean and the health of our people and biosphere generally.  Industrial pollution and plastic going into the oceans. 

We must have
Many vast constructed wetlands on rivers and streams to remove nitrogen, phosphorus and other chemicals and things like plastic, etc, before this water gets to the oceans.

We must come up with a plan to capture as much of the Methane coming out of the permafrost and arctic ocean areas.

Reforestation of the continent from the west to the east. Prevailing wind is mostly from the west in North America in summer.  Trees are a great way to get water in the air and are an excellent way to suck carbon out of the atmosphere.

Regenerative and restorative agriculture systems. Not just sustainable agriculture.

For a great look at water issues world wide see the WaterWired blog.

Do you really care about climate change Mr President?

So Mr President you sounded sincere in your last speech about climate change, you say you care about the issue of climate destabilization?  The remedy is so simple, if we are going to be dealing with solutions and not just problems. The problem of fossil fuel agriculture is destroying or has already destroyed the carbon in the top soil of much of the world. There was ten to twenty feet of top soil over much of North America when the European invaders came across the ocean. 

A return to natural methods of farming like Masanobu Fukuoka or Permaculture based of the principles of founder Bill Mollison can remedy much of the carbon problem in the atmosphere.  Along with the people like Peter Donovan and the soil carbon challenge, or Joel Salatin who was talked about in the Michael pollen book Omnivores Dilemma we can start to remove much of the carbon from the air . The work of  John Liu in the ending of desertification is a very good example of what can be done with natural methods of  agriculture.

This is just a start. We also have to start moving to producing as much energy from non carbon sources. Wind, Solar and of course one of the best of these is Hydroelectric. Not giant dams like the past but hundreds or thousands  of small micro hydro systems in every county and hundreds of thousands in every state in North America. This will not only create energy independence, but millions of jobs. It will also end much of the need for an upgraded smart grid because so much power is created locally. This little ball of wax we call earth was the garden of Eden, and it can and will be again, with a little help from our friends.