Re: SC24

http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,20425415-5006336,00.html

Why water will be like gold

A THINK TANK in the US recently prepared a study for the Pentagon that warned one of the biggest challenges facing the military this century will be short, sharp regional wars over water.

In a crowded world, supplies of life-giving water will become ever-more valuable, prompting nations to take drastic steps to ensure they have access to supplies.

While cloudless days of sunshine are fine to bask in, Australia and South Australia in particular should face the fact that water - or the lack of it - must continue to be a top priority for future planning.

After the driest winter and lowest inflow into the River Murray on record, following six consecutive years of drought in the Murray-Darling Basin, we simply must reassess our attitude to water.

This week's warning by the State Government of tougher water restrictions unless it rains soon is a timely reminder that water will become one of the world's most precious commodities in the next 50 years.

Whether it is due to global warming or natural cycles, vast swathes of Australia are grappling with less-than-expected rainfall.

All mainland state capitals now are on water restrictions, with little sign of reprieve.

Melbourne is heading for 10 straight years of below-average rainfall; despite siphoning from the distant Shoalhaven River, Sydney is running out of water; Brisbane will be out of water if there are two more dry summers; Perth is gripped by drought.

Parts of southern Australia are reeling from drought and there are ominous predictions of a new El Nino drought event...........