An Option to Overcome Water Scarcity and Environmental Issues - Essay Example

?Landscaping with Natural Plants: An Option to Overcome Water Scar and Environmental Issues Southern California’s Water Issues: California is thelargest populated state in the US as well as the “eighth largest economy” in the world. These traits can be perceived as a result of the state and federal administration’s ability to provide proper supply of water through reservoirs, dams, aqueduct systems, pumping stations etc (Lauer 2). However, “75 percent” of water derives from Northern parts whereas “80 percent” demand occurs from Southern and coastal California (2). Thus, it transpires that if the resourcing from Northern part is stopped, Southern California will have a water crisis. The population of California, estimated at “38 million in January 2008” is predicted to climb up to “59.5 million by 2050” (2). Therefore, in the future, the demand of water for Southern California will multiply. Thus, there is a need to assess the water requirements as well as finding solutions to resolve problem in areas that face scarcity. Two Faulty Arguments on Wasting Water: Water, though a natural resource that humans get easily and sometimes freely, is a very precious element for attaining progress in all areas including economic development. However, people tend to ignore this fact and do not care to preserve water or use their water resources sparingly. Thus, most people make a faulty assumption that paying water bills bestows on them the right to waste water. This argument is not tenable as there are many people who confront the acute shortage of water and they can perhaps subsist on the droplets that others unnecessarily waste. People think that water is an element that is abundantly available on earth and, therefore, they possess the discretion to use it as much as they want. This contention is not correct as resources, no matter how abundant they may appear, will exhaust through overconsumption. Increasing population is a major concern in all countries across the globe, with increased age expectancy as a result of advanced technologies in healthcare and medicine. Thus, people need to acknowledge the demand of future generations before using water beyond a reasonable limit. Besides, several emerging threats such as climate changes and global warming can cause severe draughts in the future. Thus, people must take into account these factors before presuming that they can waste water as it is abundantly available at the moment. The Need for Replacing Lawns with Xeriscaped Gardens: Lawns need regular watering, mowing, manicuring and fertilizing for their upkeep and maintenance. Besides, to keep them safe from pests and other insects, they also demand the use of pesticides at frequent intervals. The government or local authorities, on many occasions, impose restrictions on the use of water as a result of drought conditions. On such occasions it becomes extremely difficult for people to maintain their lawns. Thus, the maintenance of lawns entails major concerns both in terms of scarcity as well as wastage of water. Research evidence suggests that a yard size of 25 x 40 consumes up to “1000 gallons of water” in summers (Ratliff 40). The same research also finds that lawns in the US consume over “70 million pounds of pesticides” in their tending and some of it “seeps into groundwater,” posing threat to both humans and wildlife (40). Lawn mowers also cause air pollution. Thus, when one considers the problems entailing from lawn maintenance, it appears that such landscaping, while provides homes an aesthetic appeal, comes with a lot negative impact on human life. Therefore, several environmentalists argue that lawns symbolize “wasteful disregard for the biosphere” (40). On the other hand, many people support the concept of natural landscaping, which, they believe, has many advantages. Proponents of this concept contend it reduces water wastage as well as the usage of pesticides considerably. Sandra Walk, a landscape architect, never installs turfs and she promotes the use of “native plants” (40). Thus, she, along with some other natural landscaping advocates, has replaced grass turfs in Kentucky with “pesticide-free native plants and drought resistant xeriscaping” (40). This type of landscaping usually use plants that consume less water such as cacti and they also place rocks as ornamentation. Thus, when placed with an imaginative flair, such landscapes will definitely give an elegant look to the homes. The main advantage is that they need much less water and can thus avoid the wastage of this precious resource. Besides, cacti are not prone to attack by pests or insects and so it preempts people from using pesticides, which pose danger to both humans and wildlife. Thus, it becomes evident that xeriscaping is a better option of landscaping in several respects than lawns. Three California Native Plants: 1. Cercis Occidentalis: Commonly known as Western Redbuds, this plant’s water consumption is low and it has very attractive flowers. This plant, which grows in the natural environment, will be a good ornamentation to the landscaping without people having to invest their time and resources to tend it. (Plant Details, 2003) 2. Eschoscholzia Californica: Commonly known as the California Poppy, this plant also requires less water and can be a good ornamental element in home landscaping. The flower, with its deep yellow color, can be a striking contrast to the greenery of a home based garden. (Plant Details 2003) 3. Ceanothus ‘Concha’: Commonly known as Concha California Lilac, this plant’s most unique trait is that it is drought resistant. With its striking blue color against a thick green shrubbery, this plant will be a good attraction for home gardens. (Plant Details 2003) Plants that grow in the natural environments have been thriving on the earth even before humans have invented the art of gardening. They survive on this planet by consuming their basic necessities for their sustenance and never cause any ecological or environmental problems. On the other hand, when humans begin modulating their behavior they evolve accordingly, and, sometimes, may cause problems. Therefore, the best option for humans seems to be plant them and tend to them only when it is an absolute necessity. This way, even when natural plants are grown in the yards, they will survive the way they naturally do, without causing wastage of water or any environmental issues. Works Cited Frommer, Susan. Plant Detail. Cercis Occidentals. Bewaterwise.com. (2003). Web. 03 November 2012. < http://www.bewaterwise.com/gardensoft/plant_description.aspx?PlantID=1368> Lauer, Susan. A Briefing on Californian Water Issues. Water Education Foundation. (2009). Web. 03 November 2012 Mullany, Steve & Frommer, Susan. Plant Detail. Cercis Occidentals. Bewaterwise.com. (2003). Web. 03 November 2012. Mullany, Steve. Plant Detail. Cercis Occidentals. Bewaterwise.com. (2003). Web. 03 November 2012. < http://www.bewaterwise.com/gardensoft/plant_description.aspx?PlantID=4130> Ratliff, Evan. Turf Wars: The Battle over the American Lawn. Ready Made. n.d. Print. Read More