(Fresh) Waterfalling

Recently, the discussion on nuclear power has taken a new turn. With the threat of Peak Oil, not to mention the current ( and, most likely, the continuing) spike in fuel prices, everyone is talking about alternate energy sources. And much to the ire of environmentalists, nuclear energy is on the table more visibly than ever before.

The problem, however, is the environmental cost of extracting, then using, nuclear fuel. Perhaps the most over-looked aspect of building more nuclear plants is the dramatic, negative effect it will have on the water supply.

The rapid decline of our fresh water supply is overshadowed by Global Warming, Peak Oil and continuing unrest in (or dislike of) the oil rich countries of the world. And the discussion is often unproductive, either missing the point entirely, or coming at it from the wrong direction. But, that's a whole 'nother Oprah, as my best friend would say, so let's stay on point.

Our lakes and rivers are evaporating, if not literally, then figuratively. It doesn't matter why as much as it matters that it's happening. Water supports all life on this planet - not just yours and mine, but all plants and animals. As our rivers and lakes dry up, and our glaciers melt away, desertification begins. Sure, we can desalinate sea water. In small quantities, it's even feasible on some level to do so. But we cannot desalinate nearly enough to handle the demands of so many people and the agriculture required to support them... much less support the rest of the planet.

In the middle of this is the Grand Canyon. And in the middle of that, way down at the bottom there, is the Colorado River, one of our most important rivers. One of the most recognizable landmarks in the world, and arguably one of the most important, it has faced the threat of uranium mining for decades. In fact, the Orphan Mine was closed almost 40 years ago. Unfortunately, the site is still not cleaned up, and two major defense contractors are refusing to do their part. But they still feed from the public trough, but that's yet another Oprah. This is just one of many sites that continue to pose an significant environmental - and health! - danger. But there are those that can't wait to open hundreds of mining claims on public land, threatening thousands upon thousands of acres of land, and the water the flows through them and resides in their aquifers.

This is madness. The is suicide. Are we really that stupid?

The Grand Canyon is again threatened by mining.

Well, no, we aren't. However corporations exist solely to consume resources, turning them into marketable products that are sold for a profit. That's what corporations do. They seldom have a conscience about silly things like survival of the species. (Yes, there are socially conscious corporations; they are the minority by far, most especially in the oil and nuclear industries.) And it appears that at least some corporations are indeed this stupid. Our wisdom, or lack thereof, will be demonstrated by what we do about their stupidity.

We have what another close friend calls a Binary Solution Set: we can let them do it, standing by and watching the destruction of the habitat that supports us, or we can stop them by standing up for our right to life, and for the right to life of the entire ecosystem. I choose the latter.

The first step is to write an email or letter to every politician that represents you. Not just federal and state, but also locally, at the county and city level. Include every appropriate agency, including environmental, agricultural, health and more. It's not hard to create a form letter, then copy it to each party. And it wouldn't take more than a few hours to reach out to every one of them.

The second step is to get the dialog going by writing letters to the editors of every publication you can. Again, the local papers and magazines, but also regional and national outlets. Of course, there are numerous sites on the web where you can get involved in the discussion.

The third step is to reach out to family, friends, coworkers and others with whom you interact regularly. Encourage them to get involved as well; get them engaged.

A few things to remember:

• Walk the talk. Strive to increase your own conservation efforts as an example to others.
• Be civil and respectful. Certainly there are legions of loudmouths in our world (still another Oprah), but that doesn't mean you have to be one of them. Committing yourself to civil discourse will win you far more compatriots than lowering yourself to the current standard to which many hold.

Air and water are the two most important natural resources we have. To do further harm to them will destroy the system that supports us. We cannot wait to act. We must all stand up and be heard. Our children require it.