Experts Say Colorado River Deal , Fails to Solve Long-Term Problems. Experts have warned that a hard-fought agreement between California, Arizona and Nevada to cut the use of the Colorado River won't solve the long-term water crisis.
'The Guardian' reports that experts say the new deal, announced on May 22, is only a temporary solution to a problem that threatens life in the American west.
The agreement will see the three states cut water consumption from the dwindling river by 13% over the next three years if adopted.
The deal is reportedly backed by $1.2 billion in federal funds and encourages voluntary reductions made in exchange for government grant money.
'The Guardian' reports that the deal comes after months of missed deadlines and stagnant negotiations.
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However, experts warn that the measure is not enough to prevent the existential threat posed by the Colorado River.
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Following years of over-allocation to meet the needs of a rapidly expanding U.S. west, the region is now facing unprecendented global warming.
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'The Guardian' reports that the American west is facing a "megadrought' that is the worst the region has experienced in 1,200 years.
The Colorado River supports 40 million people, including the populations of Los Angeles and Denver, while also supplying water for millions of acres of cropland.
The Colorado River supports 40 million people, including the populations of Los Angeles and Denver, while also supplying water for millions of acres of cropland.
This deal is clearly a Band-Aid solution for a short-term fix, Katharine Jacobs, Expert in water and climate adaptation at the University of Arizona, via 'The Guardian'.
It’s better than nothing, but we are just putting off a much more dramatic change needed to resolve this problem.
, Katharine Jacobs, Expert in water and climate adaptation at the University of Arizona, via 'The Guardian'
