Vast aquifer found in Namibia could last for centuries

[Swede]

A newly discovered water source in Namibia could have a major impact on development in the driest country in sub-Saharan Africa.

Estimates suggest the aquifer could supply the north of the country for 400 years at current rates of consumption.

Scientists say the water is up to 10,000 years old but is cleaner to drink than many modern sources.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-18875385?splash

[kestrel91316]

1. USA to find a reason to go to war in Namibia in 3....2....1....

Gotta help them "develop" that water resource (aka let Nestle or some other multinational rob the people of their precious, finite, nonrenewable resource).

[earthside]

2. 'At current rates of consumption'

Ah ... there's that phrase that trips-up human beings over and over and over again.

When do we (as a species) in the 20th and 21st centuries ever restrain ourselves to 'current rates of consumption'?

If there is a new abundant resource discovered, it seems to be our duty to exploit it and use it up as fast as possible.

My prediction is that most of this water will be gone in less than a hundred years.

[HereSince1628]

6. Constant consumption does seem a questionable assumption n/t

[russspeakeasy]

3. and Monsanto is already sending plane loads of toxic chemicals

to equalize the quality of their water to ours.

[Jim__]

4. I hope this is recognized as a public - not corporate - resource. n/t

[ellenfl]

5. here come the water wars! at least the discovery is public. the corporations are massing. eom

[Igel]

7. More like with the south.

It's the same issue in other countries.

If you live in the north then resources in the west, south, center, and east are certainly the nation's and should be shared in the spirit of brotherhood without making a profit or stinting. Resources in the north, on the other hand, are special and they must be husbanded either for sole use of northerners, or to bring the greatest possible return for the day when the resource is used up.

Replace "north" with geographic area of choice. East, west, province, center, area inhabited by clan X or area inhabited by ethnicity Y. What's yours is mine and what's mine is mine.

[ife62995se]

8. that's what i fear.