Large-scale groundwater extraction for irrigation, drinking water or industry results in an annual rise in sea levels of approximately 0.8 mm, accounting for about one-quarter of total annual sea-level rise (3.1 mm). According to hydrologists from Utrecht University and the research institute Deltares, the rise in sea levels can be attributed to the fact that most of the groundwater extracted ultimately winds up in the sea. The hydrologists explain their findings in an article to be published in the near future in the journal Geophysical Research Letters.
Groundwater extraction is more common in more arid regions of the world, where there is less available surface water. It is used for crop irrigation, drinking water or industrial purposes. Aquifer levels will decline if over a prolonged period more groundwater is extracted at more locations than can be replenished by means of rainwater recharge. As a consequence, rivers and wetlands will run dry and aquifer levels will fall to such a depth that pumping becomes impossible. Aquifer depletion can eventually spell ecological disaster or even lead to famine.
Figure 1: The figure in the upper left-hand corner illustrates aquifer recharge (i.e. rainwater recharge), the figure in the upper right hand corner shows the severity of global groundwater extraction and the large figure below depicts global groundwater depletion. In this figure, “1000” denotes one cubic kilometre of water. The grey areas are regions for which there is no available data on groundwater extraction.
Figure 2: This graph demonstrates the estimated global increase in groundwater extraction and groundwater depletion (expressed in cubic kilometres per year) between 1960 and 2000. Vertical bars are used to indicate the uncertainty band.
Rising sea levels
With the knowledge that most of the extracted groundwater eventually winds up in the sea, the researchers at Utrecht University and Deltares calculated the contribution groundwater extraction makes to rising sea levels. Researcher Marc Bierkens says, “We calculated it at eight-tenths of a millimetre per year. This is surprisingly large when compared to the current annual rise in sea levels, which the IPCC estimates at 3.1 mm.” About half of the current rise in sea levels can be attributed to thermal expansion, a little over one quarter to run off from glaciers and ice caps, and the remaining quarter to groundwater depletion. “Although the role of groundwater depletion in rising sea levels had already been acknowledged, it was not addressed in the most recent IPCC report due to a lack of reliable data to illustrate the severity of the situation. Our study confirms that groundwater depletion is, in fact, a significant factor.”Groundwater depletion
The researchers looked at a combination of information to identify the areas in the world where groundwater extraction leads to groundwater depletion. An estimate of the amount of groundwater extracted annually in most of the world’s countries could be obtained from a database of the International Groundwater Resources Assessment Centre (IGRAC), which is affiliated with Deltares. Combining this information with the estimated demand for water, based on population density and data on irrigated areas, the researchers were able to produce a map of global groundwater extraction (map 1B). A water balance model was then used to map out global groundwater aquifer recharge (map 1A), i.e. precipitation that seeps through the soil to recharge groundwater aquifers. By subtracting the figures of the groundwater extraction map from the figures of the groundwater aquifer recharge map, the researchers were able to compile a map of global groundwater depletion (map 1C).Depletion worst in certain countries
According to Bierkens, “The study reveals that depletion is the most acute in areas of India, Pakistan, the US and China, which are also the regions without sustainable levels of food production and water consumption and which are expected to experience major problems in the long run.” The hydrologists estimate that global groundwater extraction and depletion have increased by 312 km3 to 734 km3 and 126 km3 to 283 km3 per year, respectively, since 1960.Publication
Y. Wada, L.P.H. van Beek, C.M. van Kempen, J.W.T.M. Reckman, S. Vasak, and M.F.P. Bierkens (2010), Global depletion of groundwater resources, Geophysical Research Letters, doi:10.1029/2010GL044571, in press.Further information
Roy Keeris, Utrecht University Press Office, +31 (0)30 253 2411, R.B.Keeris@uu.nl.Figure 1: The figure in the upper left-hand corner illustrates aquifer recharge (i.e. rainwater recharge), the figure in the upper right hand corner shows the severity of global groundwater extraction and the large figure below depicts global groundwater depletion. In this figure, “1000” denotes one cubic kilometre of water. The grey areas are regions for which there is no available data on groundwater extraction.
Figure 2: This graph demonstrates the estimated global increase in groundwater extraction and groundwater depletion (expressed in cubic kilometres per year) between 1960 and 2000. Vertical bars are used to indicate the uncertainty band.
As Western Civilization Lies Dyinglink
The Western commercial system exists to extract more from consumers than it supplies in products and services. Its goal is profit and has never been to improve the human condition but to exploit it. When governments institutionalize this system, they place their nations on suicidal paths, because as Jefferson recognized, "Merchants have no country." It is not terrorism that threatens the security of the Western World, it is the Western World's commercial system.
A man suffering from severe chest pains collapses. His wife calls 911. An ambulance arrives, the EMTs treat the patient, place him in the ambulance's bed, and start off to the hospital. Along the way, the engine stalls. The ambulance's staff begins arguing about how to get the motor restarted. One says more gasoline is needed, another says there's water in the tank, a third says the fuel filter is clogged. While they argue, the patient lies dying.
This situation is analogous to what's happening in America and parts of Europe. While economists and politicians argue, their nations are in the throes of death. These people are looking for the devil in the details, but he is not there. It's the system itself that’s diabolical.
The Western commercial system is extractive. It exists to extract more from consumers than it supplies in products and services. Its goal is profit, and profit literally means to make more (pro-ficere). Its goal has never been to improve the human condition but to exploit it. It works like this:
Consider two water tanks, initially each partially full, one above the other. One gallon of water is dumped from the upper tank into the lower one for each two gallons extracted from the lower tank and pumped into the upper tank. Over time, the lower tank ends up empty and the upper tank ends up full. The circulation of water between the tanks ends.
Essentially, this scenario describes all commercial systems based on profit. It is why the top 20 percent of Americans has 93 percent of the nation's financial wealth and the bottom 80 percent has a mere seven percent. It is why the bottom 40 percent of all income earners in the United States now collectively own less than one percent of the nation’s wealth. It is why the nation's poverty rate is now14.3 percent, about 43.6 million people or one in seven. It is also why the Wall Street Journal has reported that 70 percent of people in North America live paycheck to paycheck. It is also why, despite numerous pledges over decades, no progress has been made in reducing world-wide poverty. The system is a thief.
The economy has collapsed not because of misfeasance, deregulation, or political bungling (although all may have been proximate causes), it has collapsed because the pockets of the vast majority of Americans have been picked. The housing bubble didn't burst because home prices had risen, it burst because the pockets of consumers had been picked so clean they could no longer service their mortgages.
What the wealthiest 20 percent of Americans don't realize is that some in this group will begin to target the others in order to keep the extractive process working. In fact, it's already happening. "The brute force of the recession earlier this year turned back the clock on Americans' personal wealth to 2004 and wiped out a staggering $1.3 trillion as home values shrank and investments withered." Little of this loss from investments was suffered by the lower 80 percent of Americans. There is, after all, no goodwill within greed, and the market can be and often is manipulated.
The "system" has impoverished the people, the circulation between the two tanks has been reduced to a trickle, and our economists have convinced the government that the only way to get things flowing again is to pour more water into the upper tank, hoping that the spillover will settle in the lower tank. Better to pray for rain!
This impoverishment has numerous mathematically certain implications; two major ones follow.
First, the system can't be fixed by tinkering with the details. At best, tinkering with the details can merely slow down the depletion of consumer wealth. As long as the system is based on profit, more must be taken than is given. The rate of depletion can be changed, but the depletion cannot be stopped. This conclusion is as mathematically certain as subtraction. Why the geniuses in the American economics community, all who whom taut economics for its use of mathematical models, cannot understand this is a conundrum. They can tinker as much as they like. Some tinkering will produce apparent benefits, some won't. But one thing is certain—the system, unless it is fundamentally and essentially changed—will break down over and over again just as it has at fairly regularly intervals in the past. As long as maintaining the system is more important that the welfare of people, the people have no escape. They are eventually impoverished—both when the system works and when it doesn't! Two thousand years of history has produced not a single counterexample to this conclusion. Prosperity never results from exploitation.
Another implication that few seem to recognize concerns the national debt.
We are told that the burden of paying off the debt will be borne by our progeny, our children, and their children. But unless the Western commercial system undergoes fundamental changes, the children and grand children of most Americans will never have to bear this burden. Why? Not even governments can pick empty pockets. So if the debt is to be paid by raising taxes, the children and grandchildren of that 20 percent of Americans who hold 93 percent of the nation's financial wealth will have to pay them. Most, if not all, of these people are also investors. Given the acrimonious debate about letting the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy expire, the chances of that ever happening are slim to none.
Will the debt then be paid by devaluing the dollar, by printing money? Many believe that the government will eventually take this alternative. Let's say it does. Then all the dollars held by anyone anywhere will be devalued equally, including the dollars held by that same 20 percent of Americans. Again the wealthy 20 percent of Americans, having the most, lose the most. The devalued dollars they collect on their investments are merely added to their other devalued dollars, and the more the dollar must be devalued to repay the debt, the more the wealthy lose.
And finally, will the government default? Most seem to believe this to be unlikely. Perhaps, but isn't it the best alternative? Investors will simply not be paid, but the rest of their money will retain its value unless other economic consequences reduce it. Even Morgan Stanley recognizes that "the sovereign debt crisis won't end till deeply indebted rich country governments give holders of their bonds a good soaking."
So relax, Americans, your children will never bear the burden of paying off the national debt. Just sit back and enjoy watching the wealthy squirm.
Some say that if the nation defaults, the government will be unable to borrow. But other governments have defaulted without losing their ability to borrow. Russia, Argentina, and Zimbabwe are but recent examples. Of course, there are severe economic consequences to defaulting, but there are severe consequences to each of these alternatives too. How much harder can life be for the 80 percent of Americans holding a mere seven percent of the nation's wealth? There are, after all, no degrees of broke; no broke, broker, and brokest.
Will investors refuse to lend? Doubtful. A wealthy person can do four things with money: give it away, spend it, stuff it under the mattress, or invest it. Those are the only alternatives, and it is unlikely that much of it can be spent or that many will have the inclination to give it away or save it. So the wealthy really lack a great deal of choice.
Finally, a hidden principle underlies this extractive system—It is okay for some to enrich themselves by making others poor. Even though this is exactly what thieves do, no one, to my knowledge, has ever pointed out that this principle is immoral. It appears to be accepted universally as economically acceptable. But consider these two similar principles: (1) It is okay for some to improve their health by making others unhealthy, and (2) It okay for some to avoid the consequences of their criminal acts by making others bear them. No one would consider the last of these right, yet all three are logically and materially identical.
Some may claim that without profit, no commercial system can function effectively. If true, the implications for humanity are horrific. It implies that mankind was made in Satin's image, that the Commandments, especially the tenth, are fraudulent, that all the philosophy and literature that defines Western Civilization are nugatory, that no essential distinction exists between so-called civilized and barbaric nations, that all governments are illegitimate, that words like justice and fairness are meaningless, that the law is lawless, that society disintegrates into nociety, and that nothing really matters. The economy is Bedlam, the Earth is the Universe's Insane Asylum, and the craziest are in charge. What kind of human mind would ever attempt to defend this abomination?
This Western commercial system exists merely to enrich vendors by exploiting consumers. When governments institutionalize this system, they place their nations on suicidal paths. Astute observers of history have long recognized what Thomas Jefferson made explicit—"Merchants have no country." Oh, yes! These merchants will object vehemently. Pay no attention. Just watch what they do.
They expect favorable treatment and services from governments but do everything possible to keep from paying for them in taxes and exhibit no concern whenever their native lands face bankruptcy. When their native lands face stress, as in times of war, the people are called upon to sacrifice while the merchants are allowed to profiteer. When John F. Kennedy said, "Ask not what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country," he was not speaking to corporate America. Does any reader of this piece really believe that the makers of Humvees, drones, and F16s would ever consider supplying them to our military at cost? Yet how great is the cost of the sacrifice parents are asked to make by sending their children off to fight hideous wars?
People, a merchant unwilling to sacrifice for his country has no country, he will support no country, defend no country, and if such people are given control of a nation, they will suck its blood dry and sell off the body parts to the highest bidder. Not even a recognizable corpse will remain. It is not terrorism that threatens the security of the Western World, it is the Western World's commercial system.
Aurora Borealis hits a 100-year low point – sun blamed
via Physorg.com with h/t to Dr. Leif Svalgaard and Indur Goklany
Aurora borealis in the vicinity of Anchorage, Alaska. Historic From the NOAA Photo Library Image: Wikimedia
The Northern Lights, or aurora borealis, generally follow an 11-year “solar cycle”, in which the frequency of the phenomena rises to a maximum and then tapers off into a minimum and then repeats the cycle.
“The solar minimum was officially in 2008, but this minimum has been going on and on and on,” researcher Noora Partamies told AFP.
“Only in the past half a year have we seen more activity, but we don’t really know whether we’re coming out of this minimum,” she added.
The Northern Lights, a blaze of coloured patterns in the northern skies, are triggered by solar winds crashing into the earth and being drawn to the magnetic poles, wreaking havoc on electrons in the parts of the atmosphere known as the ionosphere and magnetosphere.
So a dimming of the Northern Lights is a signal that activity on the sun which causes solar winds, such as solar flares and sun sports, is also quieting down.
CRACKLING SUNSPOT: During the past 24 hours, sunspot 1110 has increased in size more than 10-fold. A white-light camera onboard NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory took this picture during the early hours of Sept. 29th:
One-fifth of world's plants at risk of extinction
Plants such as artemisia sweet wormwood provide valuable drugs - in this case, for malaria
A further 33% of species were too poorly understood to be assessed.
The analysis comes from the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, the Natural History Museum and International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
There are an estimated 380,000 plant species in all, and many are victims of habitat loss - typically the clearing of forests for agriculture.
Species in tropical rainforests are found to be at greatest risk.
The study, known as the Sampled Red List Index for Plants, is an attempt to provide the most accurate assessment so far.
The report comes ahead of the UN Biodiversity Conference in Nagoya in Japan next month where ministers are due to discuss why conservation targets keep being missed.
Launching the findings, Kew's director, Professor Stephen Hopper, said the study would provide a baseline from which to judge future losses.
"We cannot sit back and watch plant species disappear - plants are the basis of all life on Earth, providing clean air, water, food and fuel.
"Every breath we take involves interacting with plants. They're what we all depend on."
Medicinal properties The study investigated the key types of plants, including mosses, ferns, orchids and legumes like peas and beans.
The fear among botanists is that species are being wiped out before they can be researched, potentially losing valuable medicinal properties.
Plant-based remedies are the only source of healthcare in the world's poorest countries, and have proved essential in combating conditions including malaria and leukaemia.
Seed and tissue banking is now a key conservation tool Another concern is that we have become dependent on a narrow range of plants with a limited genetic base.
The report estimates that 80% of the calories consumed worldwide are derived from just 12 different species.
The findings add urgency to the work of Kew's Millennium Seed Bank at Wakehurst in Sussex, which has now gathered some 1.8 billion seeds from around the world.
The samples are catalogued and stored in underground cold rooms as a safeguard against future losses.
The collection includes seeds from plants that have already been judged extinct, including a species of tree from Pakistan and an orchid from Ecuador.
Another victim is a species of olive tree from the South Atlantic island of St Helena.
The only traces of its existence are a few dried pressings of its leaves, and a tiny sample of DNA kept in a plastic test-tube in a freezer.
Plants such as artemisia sweet wormwood provide valuable drugs - in this case, for malaria One-fifth of the world's plants - the foundation of life on Earth - are at risk of extinction, a study concludes.
Researchers have sampled almost 4,000 species, and conclude that 22% should be classified as "threatened" - the same alarming rate as for mammals.A further 33% of species were too poorly understood to be assessed.
The analysis comes from the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, the Natural History Museum and International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
There are an estimated 380,000 plant species in all, and many are victims of habitat loss - typically the clearing of forests for agriculture.
Species in tropical rainforests are found to be at greatest risk.
The study, known as the Sampled Red List Index for Plants, is an attempt to provide the most accurate assessment so far.
Continue reading the main story
“Start Quote
End Quote Stephen Hopper RBG KewPlants are the basis of all life on Earth, providing clean air, water, food and fuel”
Previous studies have focused on the most threatened plants or particular regions.
This one instead sampled species from each of the five main groups of plants, and its authors argue that as a result, their conclusions are more credible. The report comes ahead of the UN Biodiversity Conference in Nagoya in Japan next month where ministers are due to discuss why conservation targets keep being missed.
Launching the findings, Kew's director, Professor Stephen Hopper, said the study would provide a baseline from which to judge future losses.
"We cannot sit back and watch plant species disappear - plants are the basis of all life on Earth, providing clean air, water, food and fuel.
"Every breath we take involves interacting with plants. They're what we all depend on."
Medicinal properties The study investigated the key types of plants, including mosses, ferns, orchids and legumes like peas and beans.
The fear among botanists is that species are being wiped out before they can be researched, potentially losing valuable medicinal properties.
Plant-based remedies are the only source of healthcare in the world's poorest countries, and have proved essential in combating conditions including malaria and leukaemia.
Seed and tissue banking is now a key conservation tool The report estimates that 80% of the calories consumed worldwide are derived from just 12 different species.
The findings add urgency to the work of Kew's Millennium Seed Bank at Wakehurst in Sussex, which has now gathered some 1.8 billion seeds from around the world.
The samples are catalogued and stored in underground cold rooms as a safeguard against future losses.
The collection includes seeds from plants that have already been judged extinct, including a species of tree from Pakistan and an orchid from Ecuador.
Another victim is a species of olive tree from the South Atlantic island of St Helena.
The only traces of its existence are a few dried pressings of its leaves, and a tiny sample of DNA kept in a plastic test-tube in a freezer.
Landslide buries 30 in north-western Colombialink
Rescuers say it could take a week to reach the bodies As many as 30 people may have been buried by a landslide in north-western Colombia, government officials say.
Most of the victims were bus passengers who were walking across a road blocked by a previous landslide when a mountainside collapsed on top of them in the Antioquia province on Monday.Local houses where some took shelter were also swept away.
Search and rescue efforts have now been suspended for the night, as people are buried under many tons of rock and mud.
"Tonight we've suspended the search for victims. Despite the huge effort, our work has gone unrewarded due to the enormous amount of earth that has fallen," Antioquia's Disaster Prevention and Assistance System chief John Rendon told the AFP news agency late on Tuesday.
The disaster triggered by heavy rain happened near Giraldo, 80km (50 miles) north of the city of Medellin.
"It was horrible because we heard a rumbling and looked out to see people running to the houses and then they were also swallowed by the earth," local resident Milena Ramirez told the Colombian newspaper El Tiempo.
Warnings 'ignored' Red Cross sniffer dogs have identified locations where the victims are buried, but officials say it could take several days to dig them out.
The rescue effort has also been hampered by the risk of further landslides.
President Juan Manuel Santos, who visited the scene, said people had ignored warnings to stay away from the site of the previous landslide.
"Sadly, the people who were moving from one bus to another did not pay attention to the authorities," he said. "We are doing everything we can to find them."
Mr Santos said Colombians should prepare for "a very tough winter".
Weeks of heavy rain across the country have caused floods and landslides that have killed more than 70 people.
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