The global water crisis is already happening. According to the Global Commission on the Economics of Water, worldwide demand for fresh water will outstrip supply by 40% by 2030. As a result, half the world’s food production will be at risk for failure within the next 25 years. New research shows climate-related high temperatures have already shrunk U.S. salaries by 12%. No doubt we will feel the costs of this here in Lane County; but if we can gain local control of our water, we can push back. The only lever we have locally to fight this is water protection.

Around the world, benefits of conservation outweigh costs, regardless of the ecosystem. Generally, the benefits gained from conservation are four times greater than the costs. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that it is on average 27 times more expensive to deal with a drinking water contamination issue than it is to implement strategies for protection.

People may argue that we already have state and national laws in place that protect our water quality. Current laws do not ban water contamination; they merely regulate the amount of pollution that is allowed. Over time, or if there is a large spill, pollution accumulates, becoming a health hazard for all living things downstream. That includes us humans. You can help protect our local water by voting yes in the May 19 election on Measure 20-373, the Lane County Watersheds Bill of Rights.

Lily Pearl Johnson
Eugene