Living in Massachusetts, it is easy to take water for granted with an average rain fall of 45 inches per year.  While 2009 might turn out to be an above average year for rainfall, overall the region is expected to experience more frequent drought episodes. But despite the impacts from climate change and falling water tables from unsustainable suburban developments, Massachusetts is lucky in comparison to many other places across the globe like India, Australia, Mexico, Las Vegas, and the story of the week– Greece.

In a warming world, India which has been self sufficient for thousands of years is now deeply challenged on how to feed and provide water for its 1.15 billion inhabitants.  A number of converging factors have forced India to buy food on the International market– the monsoon has been coming later in the season and this year in some districts there is a 60% decrease in rainfall.  The Green revolution has also depleted the water table at 1.6 inches per year, and growing populations are adding to further resource depletion.

Developing countries are not the only places affected by climate change, population pressures, and unsustainable industrial practices.  Las Vegas, the poster child for the housing boom,potentially will have major water shortages by 2012 and plans to lay deeper pipes to keep up with falling Lake Mead.  Georgia on the other hand, was just struck down in the courts for its endless thirst for southern watersheds in Florida and Alabama.

The days of cheap water that is wasted on pristine chemical treated lawns, chlorinated pools, and industrial agriculture might be coming to an end. Over a billion people globally suffer from lack of sufficient clean water, it is estimated by 2025 forty percent of the global population will be short of this precious resource.   Global warming in conjunction with unsustainable water management practices is creating a very insecure world, as Mark Twain noted,

“Whiskey is for drinking; water is for fighting over.”