[pirate_lafitte]

Originally Posted by Indentured Servant

Dwindling water supplies are a greater risk to businesses than oil running out, a report for investors has warned.
Among the industries most at risk are high-tech companies, especially those using huge quantities of water to manufacture silicon chips; electricity suppliers who use vast amounts of water for cooling; and agriculture, which uses 70% of global freshwater, , says the study, commissioned by the powerful CERES group, whose members have $7tn under management. Other high-risk sectors are beverages, clothing, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, forest products, and metals and mining, it says.
"Water is one of our most critical resources – even more important than oil," says the report, published today . "The impact of water scarcity and declining water on businesses will be far-reaching. We've already seen decreases in companies' water allotments, more stringent regulations [and] higher costs for water."
Droughts "attributable in significant part to climate change" are already causing "acute water shortages" around the world, and pressure on supplies will increase with further global warming and a growing world population, says the report written by the US-based Pacific Institute.
"It is increasingly clear that the era of cheap and easy access to water is ending, posing a potentially greater threat to businesses than the loss of any other natural resource, including fossil fuel resources," it adds. "This is because there are various alternatives for oil, but for many industrial processes, and for human survival itself, there is no substitute for water."
In a joint statement, CERES' president Mindy Lubber and Peter Gleick, president of the Pacific Institute, urged more companies and investors to work out their dependence on water and future supplies, and make plans to cope with increased shortages and prices.
"Few companies and investors are thinking strategically about the profound business risks that will exist in a world where climate change is likely to exacerbate already diminishing water supplies," they say.
"Companies that treat pressing water risks as a strategic challenge will be far better positioned in future," they add.
The CERES report adds to growing concern about a looming water crisis. In the Economist's report, The World in 2009 , Peter Brabeck-Letmathe, chairman of food giant Nestlé, wrote: "under present conditions… we will run out of water long before we run out of fuel". And at its annual meeting this year the World Economic Forum issued what it itself called a "stark warning" that "the world simply cannot manage water in the future in the same way as in the past or the economic web will collapse".
CERES, which has members in the US and Europe, made recommendations, including that companies should measure their water footprints from suppliers through to product use, and integrate water into strategic planning, and that investors should independently assess companies' water risk and "demand" better disclosure from boards.

Water shortage will damage business 'more than oil scarcity' | Environment | guardian.co.uk


Reports of Michigans demise are premature rationalization..... Michigan will boom in the next 50 years.

If all of this is true, then there should be a land grab for alot of things. Now what Michigan needs to do is find a way t attract all of those businesses in the tech sector of the economy to Michigan. The fact is, many people would rather live in places like North Carolina and Texas. Cheaper cost of living, and a warmer cilmate is what attracts alot of people. Michigan, on the other hand, is an outdoorsman's gold mine for those who like to hunt and fish. Now Michigan needs to bring in the businesses. Michigan has alot of land, and in Detroit, alot of abandoned buildings. Lots of places to start a business. What should be done is to have a one year freeze on certain taxes n businesses moving into Michigan. The point is to get the business to come to Michigan. Next is to levy a reasonable tax. I know what taxes are for, With that said, there needs to be a balance in the state budget. Taxes need to be moderated. Jobs need to be created for the people in this state. There needs to be an incentive for people in Michigan to start businesses to create jobs as well as bringing in new jobs from outside. The change should start on all ends.

It is a complicated process, first bring in the jobs, then reduce some of the taxes, particularly the property taxes. I don't kno much about Michigan taxes, but I hear they are the highest considering what you get for them. I say the safety net should be there for those who need it, because who knows, you might need it.

[MGD]

Originally Posted by Indentured Servant

Dwindling water supplies are a greater risk to businesses than oil running out, a report for investors has warned.
Among the industries most at risk are high-tech companies, especially those using huge quantities of water to manufacture silicon chips; electricity suppliers who use vast amounts of water for cooling; and agriculture, which uses 70% of global freshwater, , says the study, commissioned by the powerful CERES group, whose members have $7tn under management. Other high-risk sectors are beverages, clothing, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, forest products, and metals and mining, it says.
"Water is one of our most critical resources – even more important than oil," says the report, published today . "The impact of water scarcity and declining water on businesses will be far-reaching. We've already seen decreases in companies' water allotments, more stringent regulations [and] higher costs for water."
Droughts "attributable in significant part to climate change" are already causing "acute water shortages" around the world, and pressure on supplies will increase with further global warming and a growing world population, says the report written by the US-based Pacific Institute.
"It is increasingly clear that the era of cheap and easy access to water is ending, posing a potentially greater threat to businesses than the loss of any other natural resource, including fossil fuel resources," it adds. "This is because there are various alternatives for oil, but for many industrial processes, and for human survival itself, there is no substitute for water."
In a joint statement, CERES' president Mindy Lubber and Peter Gleick, president of the Pacific Institute, urged more companies and investors to work out their dependence on water and future supplies, and make plans to cope with increased shortages and prices.
"Few companies and investors are thinking strategically about the profound business risks that will exist in a world where climate change is likely to exacerbate already diminishing water supplies," they say.
"Companies that treat pressing water risks as a strategic challenge will be far better positioned in future," they add.
The CERES report adds to growing concern about a looming water crisis. In the Economist's report, The World in 2009 , Peter Brabeck-Letmathe, chairman of food giant Nestlé, wrote: "under present conditions… we will run out of water long before we run out of fuel". And at its annual meeting this year the World Economic Forum issued what it itself called a "stark warning" that "the world simply cannot manage water in the future in the same way as in the past or the economic web will collapse".
CERES, which has members in the US and Europe, made recommendations, including that companies should measure their water footprints from suppliers through to product use, and integrate water into strategic planning, and that investors should independently assess companies' water risk and "demand" better disclosure from boards.

Water shortage will damage business 'more than oil scarcity' | Environment | guardian.co.uk


Reports of Michigans demise are premature rationalization..... Michigan will boom in the next 50 years.

Looks like I'm making a good move then...at least for the grandkids' sake, lol...

Sorry to the present homeowners but I hope the land prices stay depressed so I can afford a nice place in a nice area sooner rather than later after graduation...and maybe start a little mission to buy up as much freshwater land as possible!

I had heard an under the radar rumour a while back that a lot of politics between states now involves fighting over water...florida and georgia for example...

I can imagine the cost of living in the desert states should be low except for having to bring water in from elsewhere for an entire state...I can't even picture that, coming from a place completely surrounded by water...lol

[darstar]

Originally Posted by MGD

Looks like I'm making a good move then...at least for the grandkids' sake, lol...

Sorry to the present homeowners but I hope the land prices stay depressed so I can afford a nice place in a nice area sooner rather than later after graduation...and maybe start a little mission to buy up as much freshwater land as possible!

I had heard an under the radar rumour a while back that a lot of politics between states now involves fighting over water...florida and georgia for example...

I can imagine the cost of living in the desert states should be low except for having to bring water in from elsewhere for an entire state...I can't even picture that, coming from a place completely surrounded by water...lol

So far , it is cheaper to pipe in water from great distances. In the future , the local demand for fresh water ( near the source ) , will turn off the flow to the desert. More and more reverse osmoses conversions from salt water coming , for these areas. I would not invest in worthless property , that can not grow anything , without costly expense. A move , back to the Farm , is coming...... Buy JD , Cat , and Iowa farm land. The big non self supporting cities will be boarded up , tumbleweeds will roll , and dust will cover the homes and the streets. Wild dogs and desperate mutants will roam the landscape for any morsels they can find.

The United States will be loosely labeled as a republic. More and more non productive areas will combine , as a defensive order , for a limited survival of what little they have, with local tax dollars. The Federal Government will concentrate on areas that are productive , have exports , and can produce energy...Thats where the tax dollars will come from, and , thats where Political power will flourish.

[magellan]

Originally Posted by darstar

So far , it is cheaper to pipe in water from great distances. In the future , the local demand for fresh water ( near the source ) , will turn off the flow to the desert. More and more reverse osmoses conversions from salt water coming , for these areas. I would not invest in worthless property , that can not grow anything , without costly expense. A move , back to the Farm , is coming...... Buy JD , Cat , and Iowa farm land. The big non self supporting cities will be boarded up , tumbleweeds will roll , and dust will cover the homes and the streets. Wild dogs and desperate mutants will roam the landscape for any morsels they can find.

The United States will be loosely labeled as a republic. More and more non productive areas will combine , as a defensive order , for a limited survival of what little they have, with local tax dollars. The Federal Government will concentrate on areas that are productive , have exports , and can produce energy...Thats where the tax dollars will come from, and , thats where Political power will flourish.

I had a vision recently. If you've been to the desert states lately and witnessed firsthand the Sun City phenomenon, it's unbelieveable. And those "planned retirement communities" are being funded by retiring baby boomers who cashed out before the crash. Imagine in 10 - 15 years when the baby boomer population switches to nursing care, and the next generation (Gen Xers who are the skinny portion of the population hourglass), who will be getting into their early 50's, won't want that kind of lifestyle, will be the smallest retiring generation in several decades, and probably won't be able to afford the "water taxes" to live there.

The crash we're seeing now in places like Phoenix and LV ain't nothing. None of it is sustainable.

[pirate_lafitte]

I don't think Michigan will be gone. The population has dropped and things have been hard, but somewho, someway, Michigan could turn it around.

[MI-IRISH]

Originally Posted by pirate_lafitte

The Vikings landed on the North American continent before Christopher Columbus ever did. Vinland was founded by the Vikings at what is now modern day Newfoundland(minus Labrador). Water is a big part of life.

...and oz is over the rainbow and god was an astronaut.....

[pirate_lafitte]

Originally Posted by MI-IRISH

...and oz is over the rainbow and god was an astronaut.....

Okay, now that was just rude. I was giving you facts. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%27Anse_aux_Meadows

[MI-IRISH]

Originally Posted by pirate_lafitte

Okay, now that was just rude. I was giving you facts. L'Anse aux Meadows - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

sorry pirate viking fella,had one of my sarcastic spurts

[pirate_lafitte]

Originally Posted by MI-IRISH

sorry pirate viking fella,had one of my sarcastic spurts

I couldn't tell if it was sarcasm or not.

[pirate_lafitte]

This is how I feel about Michigan. There will be people who stay in Michigan. I believe that Michigan can rebound from its problems. With that said, it is going to take work, much work. Rome wasn't built in a day and neither was Michigan.