A climate emergency is upon us.
A vicious and unethical chain of power and greed is destroying ecosystems at an unprecedented and exponential rate. Since the ’80s, we’ve been tireless champions of the planet and our communities, delivering proven solutions in a collaborative and serious group manner. Much has been achieved, but not enough, as natural resources that are already endangered are permanently extracted and depleted. The solution should have been adopted decades ago by top decision makers at all levels.
The gravity of the current water crisis cannot be overstated. Water is life and a right. The theme of UN World Water Day 2024 is “Water for Peace”. I call this imminent threat to this precious resource the “water terminator.” Here are some examples.
- Major water pollutants – plastics and microplastics, heavy metals, pesticides, PFAS in freshwater, radioactive pollutant releases into the ocean. New, stricter water regulations will help protect our drinking water from PFAS. Action: Request updated information on plastics and PFAS from your town officials.
- Urban areas throughout Massachusetts and all those living downstream, including the Pioneer Valley, are affected by sewage overflows from combined sewer systems. Local government initiatives: Reduce stormwater runoff, provide funding systems to reduce flooding, and develop water infrastructure to prevent flooding.
- AI will increase water usage by billions of gallons per month. Many large data centers use millions of gallons of groundwater to remove waste heat from servers. Toxic liquid refrigerants are often used. Gray water recycling and rainwater harvesting can help minimize this use. Remedies: Research, water cooling alternatives, urgent downsizing and slowing down. Excessive pumping of groundwater should be stopped.
- Conservation: Aquatic habitats and species. Countermeasures: Fisheries management, restorative aquaculture, and pesticide reform. .
- Connecticut River Trouble Spot – Northfield Mountain pumping station First Light Hydroelectric is causing erosion and loss of agricultural land on the Connecticut River’s main riverbanks, as well as an ecological disaster for fish and aquatic life in the Connecticut River . Countermeasures: Shut down Northfield Mountain Pumping Station or significantly shorten the license period.
- Logging in the Quabin, Wachusett, and Ware watersheds. Action: Create wildlife sanctuaries in the area’s public forests and call on his state agency, the DCR, to end logging on these public lands. Watersheds and forests store huge amounts of carbon. Protect important biodiversity. Provide and maintain clean drinking water for cities in eastern Massachusetts, including Boston. It also moderates the climate by drawing cold, moist air from the ocean into the interior of the state.
- Indigenous lands, heritage and resources are at risk. Action: Support indigenous legislative policies and develop education and advocacy efforts to protect their/our cultural and natural resources.
- Laws S.475/S.578 and H.861 Land, waters and open spaces. Action – Legislation on maintaining adequate water supplies through effective drought management. This bill would make water conservation measures for non-essential outdoor watering uniform across drought areas.
- Stop the spread of biomass and solar into the large Amherst/Shutesbury Forest. End the subsidies that are destroying our waters, aquifers, watersheds, and old-growth forests and causing ongoing health and mental health problems in our state and beyond. There are alternatives for slow-paced development. Demand new battery safety ordinances.
- Other water issues. Action: Zero waste and reuse wastewater for water reclamation. Invest in desalination infrastructure, sand dams and other water harvesting technologies. Create or improve early warning and warning systems. Switch to more drought-tolerant crops. Create water retaining soil on the farm. Instead of building dams, we restore rivers and wetlands to increase water holding capacity in watersheds. Housing projects in wetlands and forests are prohibited.
- Confront Big Construction, Big Pharma/Beauty, Big Oil/Plastics, Big Fast Fashion, Big Solar, all looking for solutions now.
Protect our drinking water, watersheds, aquifers, and communities!
upcoming events
May 22nd, International Day of Biological Diversity
June 5th World Environment Day
June 8th, World Oceans Day
June 29th is International Day of the Tropics.
Laura Rojo MacLeod is an Amherst resident and international bilingual educator, translator, and environmental activist. She is a Sierra Club Water Action leader and a member of the League of Women Voters’ Connecticut River Team. Contact her at lauramacleod27@gmail.com.
