Expert warns of pending environmental crisis

While environmentalists and scientists debate pressing issues like renewable energy and climate change, University of Arizona professor Robert Glennon’s concern is over a seemingly ubiquitous resource he believes nearly all American’s take for granted: water.

Alongside a group of state water experts, Glennon spoke at the University of Minnesota’s St. Paul Student Center Monday to address what he described as America’s “urgent water crisis.”

Glennon’s presentation was followed by a panel discussion featuring Water Resources Center co-director Deb Swackhamer, department of forest resources research fellow Sherry Enzler, and Jim Stark.

Robert Elde, dean of the College of Biological Sciences, and Gene Merriam, president of the Freshwater Society — a Minnesota-based nonprofit organization focused on the conservation of water resources — moderated the discussion.

The central theme behind Glennon’s argument was that Americans don’t value water enough and treat it like a limitless and exhaustible resource.

The event was organized by the Freshwater Society as a part of their ongoing education and outreach campaign to raise awareness about water conservation.

According to a recent study conducted by the Arrowhead Water Quality Team, a typical household of four uses 260 gallons of water each day. A majority of that water is used for toilets, showers and faucets. The Arrowhead Water Quality Team is a collaborative effort involving six northern Minnesota counties and federal and state-level agencies.

Evidence of a crisis

“We Americans are spoiled,” Glennon said. “We wake up in the morning and we turn on the tap and out comes as much water as we want for less than we pay for cell phone service or cable television.”

Echoing arguments from his 2009 book “Unquenchable: America’s Water Crisis and What To Do About It,” Glennon emphasized issues with steep increases in demand that have caused water shortages.

He also addressed the issue of contamination and cited crisis scenarios that have occurred across the country.

In October 2007, the water level at Atlanta’s Lake Lanier — the central water supply for residents in the Atlanta metro area — was predicted to go dry in three months. As a result, Georgia issued a Level 4 drought emergency, prohibiting all outdoor watering except for agriculture and “essential business uses.” Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue ordered businesses and utilities to reduce water use by 10 percent.

Many experts claimed the crisis was caused by an ongoing drought, but after researching the incident, University of Georgia professor of water resources and hydrology Todd Rasmussen concluded that the drought was not particularly different from previous ones.

Glennon argued that Georgia’s problem comes not from a lack of water but from its uneven distribution.

“The biggest problem is population,” Glennon said. “You cannot name an environmental problem that doesn’t come down to the fact that there’s too many of us.”

Another incident mentioned was Lake Superior’s 2007 record drop in surface water level, which prevented cargo ships from passing through the shallow body of water. Glennon also mentioned a recent report that claimed Lake Mead, located near Las Vegas, could dry up within the next 20 years.

The economy and alternative energy

Glennon also stressed the importance of water as an “economic lubricant,” stating that, much like oil, water is essential for companies of all stripes, including automobile manufactures and industrial operations.

The notion of water as a key component of economic well-being ties into the discussion of newly touted energy alternatives as well.

Glennon was particularly critical of ethanol, stating that it currently takes four gallons of water to refine a single gallon of ethanol. In addition, it can take as much as 2,500 gallons of irrigated water to grow enough corn to produce a gallon of ethanol.

These are glaring examples of a crisis that is growing more desperate by the day, Glennon said.

Afterward, Glennon fielded questions from members of the panel and the audience.

Swackhamer led the discussion by asking Glennon how the country can change individuals’ behavior.

Glennon stressed the idea of using price signals, or even a water tax, as a way of motivating people to change their behavior.

While there are all kinds of ways to help in the conservation of water, Glennon insisted there is no silver bullet to solve the crisis. But he said citizens can make simple changes to help the cause, like re-evaluating one’s consumption rate of water and not using bottled water.

Merriam said there is a need for lifestyle changes among society. “The thing we preach is that we all have to take responsibility,” Merriam said.

Members of statewide environmental groups and initiatives were also in attendance.

Jack Hogin, associate director of environmental projects for the Minnesota Environmental Initiative said that events of this nature are important because “Minnesota has a special interest in water quality and quantity, both as a natural resource and recreationally.”

While the presentation may have stirred the audience, Glennon said he was optimistic about the future.

“The crisis is real, but a crisis is a time for opportunity,” Glennon said.