“Running Dry” is a public education project to raise awareness of the global water crisis. The other day I heard Jim Thebaut speak particularly about the pressing issue of limited water supply in the American Southwest and the effect it has on its native peoples. Thebaut states that through the combination of our predecessors’ exploitation, population surges and our continuing disregard for the environment, we’ve systematically destroyed the natural ecology of the American Southwest.
The water crisis may not be apparent to the average American, because we are so used to waking up every morning to take long showers, use unlimited tap water, wash our cars, and water our lawns among other activities. For this we must credit water utility companies that haven’t let us down by privatizing water. For this reason, it’s difficult for most Americans to wrap their head around the idea that there is a full blown water crisis in the United States. We are steadily losing water supply and quality of water due to pesticides and pollution.
Jim Thebaut, the director and producer of this documentary feels that the root of the problem goes back to many years ago when the West was taken from the natives and we built dams and infrastructure that overwhelmed the environment. Unfortunately our “manifest destined” predecessors didn’t consider living in the environment and the native people that still reside there have to live with the consequences of their irresponsible behavior. The Colorado River is depleted due to climate changes and overuse and it is not being replenished. Other factors include the lack of ground water and water pulse in the United States. This is a cold reality but with planning and cooperation it can be reversed. Thebaut is trying to spread the word to increase public interest and action.
In his documentary he highlights a decision made 100 years ago in Winter v. United States. The 1908 Supreme Court decision states that all reservations including Indian reservations are entitled to clean water provided by the government. Thus far, states have negotiated how to provide water and infrastructure but unfortunately there have only been paper decisions. Although the decision marks its centennial, there is still the issue of financing the building of infrastructure to provide reservations with clean water and it’s not a priority for local government.
The Navajo have to walk for hours in order to get decent water, since the nearby water supply has been contaminated by runoff from mines. As a people that have been self-sufficient for hundreds of years they now find themselves dependent because they are unable to harvest corn- a staple in their diet. “Running Dry” is a documentary that calls for action to stop the evolving world water crisis. Is informs the public on how they can act to press for stronger legislation regarding the American Southwest water issues. For more information visit http://www.runningdry.org/
The water crisis may not be apparent to the average American, because we are so used to waking up every morning to take long showers, use unlimited tap water, wash our cars, and water our lawns among other activities. For this we must credit water utility companies that haven’t let us down by privatizing water. For this reason, it’s difficult for most Americans to wrap their head around the idea that there is a full blown water crisis in the United States. We are steadily losing water supply and quality of water due to pesticides and pollution.
Jim Thebaut, the director and producer of this documentary feels that the root of the problem goes back to many years ago when the West was taken from the natives and we built dams and infrastructure that overwhelmed the environment. Unfortunately our “manifest destined” predecessors didn’t consider living in the environment and the native people that still reside there have to live with the consequences of their irresponsible behavior. The Colorado River is depleted due to climate changes and overuse and it is not being replenished. Other factors include the lack of ground water and water pulse in the United States. This is a cold reality but with planning and cooperation it can be reversed. Thebaut is trying to spread the word to increase public interest and action.
In his documentary he highlights a decision made 100 years ago in Winter v. United States. The 1908 Supreme Court decision states that all reservations including Indian reservations are entitled to clean water provided by the government. Thus far, states have negotiated how to provide water and infrastructure but unfortunately there have only been paper decisions. Although the decision marks its centennial, there is still the issue of financing the building of infrastructure to provide reservations with clean water and it’s not a priority for local government.
The Navajo have to walk for hours in order to get decent water, since the nearby water supply has been contaminated by runoff from mines. As a people that have been self-sufficient for hundreds of years they now find themselves dependent because they are unable to harvest corn- a staple in their diet. “Running Dry” is a documentary that calls for action to stop the evolving world water crisis. Is informs the public on how they can act to press for stronger legislation regarding the American Southwest water issues. For more information visit http://www.runningdry.org/
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