Experts Say Colorado River Deal , Fails to Solve Long-Term Problems.
Experts have warned that a hard-fought agreement
between California, Arizona and Nevada to cut the use of
the Colorado River won't solve the long-term water crisis.
'The Guardian' reports that experts say the new deal,
announced on May 22, is only a temporary solution to
a problem that threatens life in the American west.
The agreement will see the three states cut
water consumption from the dwindling river
by 13% over the next three years if adopted.
The deal is reportedly backed by $1.2 billion in
federal funds and encourages voluntary reductions
made in exchange for government grant money.
'The Guardian' reports that the deal
comes after months of missed
deadlines and stagnant negotiations. .
However, experts warn that the measure
is not enough to prevent the existential
threat posed by the Colorado River. .
Following years of over-allocation to meet the
needs of a rapidly expanding U.S. west, the region
is now facing unprecendented global warming. .
'The Guardian' reports that the American west
is facing a "megadrought' that is the worst
the region has experienced in 1,200 years.
The Colorado River supports 40 million people, including
the populations of Los Angeles and Denver, while
also supplying water for millions of acres of cropland.
The Colorado River supports 40 million people, including
the populations of Los Angeles and Denver, while
also supplying water for millions of acres of cropland.
This deal is clearly a Band-Aid
solution for a short-term fix, Katharine Jacobs, Expert in water and climate adaptation
at the University of Arizona, via 'The Guardian'.
It’s better than nothing, but we are
just putting off a much more dramatic
change needed to resolve this problem. , Katharine Jacobs, Expert in water and climate adaptation
at the University of Arizona, via 'The Guardian'