Heeeyho Readers! More updates from our little ranch!
Can we really measure how valuable water is?
In my understanding, the value of a good or service is subjective. That is, the value of freshwater for someone at the heart of the Amazon forest might differ from someone lost amidst the Saharan desert. Price, thus, is the judgment of value translated into monetary/barter figures. But can we value freshwater? Or better, are we evaluating water enough?
"Water covers about 71% of the earth's surface. 97% of the earth's water is found in the oceans (too salty for drinking, growing crops, and most industrial uses except cooling). 3% of the earth's water is fresh. 2.5% of the earth's fresh water is unavailable. 0.5% of the earth's water is available fresh water" — usbr.gov
0.5% of the earth's water is available fresh water
So, I'm sitting on the front porch watching trucks carrying freshwater 24-hours a day from a location a hundred kilometers away. I think to myself: "What's the cost of it? Why can't they explore the nearby aquifers?"
The water supply around here is a state monopoly. And yet again, news outlets are reporting the severity of this year's drought in southern Brazil — the largest of the last 17 years. It's been a scorching summer, no doubt. Although the region is blessed with streams and rivers, the state company prefers to drive water on trucks. Who can understand? I try not to burn neurons thinking about the absurdity as I look back to the property and, as the long-awaited rain gives a break, decide to check our water sources inside the property.
Between the neighbor and us runs a stream whose source begins somewhere. Then, the water is trapped in a pond and overflows over a 2-meter-high stone dam. The pond never dries out.
The oxygenating plants have grown considerably since the last time I visited the pond and are now covering the whole surface. Bad for fishing; great for keeping the water clean. The pump house on the right supplies water for free to a nearby fruit-processing factory. It's an agreement to help the city's small economy.
We could only afford the front half portion of 22 hectares of land. The 11 hectares encompassing the dam still belong to the previous owner. Although we have free access to walk and fish, I can't intervene without the neighbor's consent (unless I get crypto-rich and able to buy the rest of the property.) If that day ever comes, I'd love to install a small-scale hydroelectric generator, since future plans include building an A-frame cabin near the stream.
Anyways. Despite the drought, the two days of rain were enough to overflow the dam again, which is awesome. From there, I continue walking amidst the ciliary forest. The dogs sniff something; an armadillo burrow most likely.
The other day I ran across a wild cat of sorts inside the native forest. Thank God the dogs missed it; otherwise, we'd have problems. I continue sloshing the boots up the muddy bank. The forest is well-preserved, and our trails are naturally sculpted by the cattle. Nobody's gonna touch the flora around here. All sorts of birds scurry from tree to tree. Momma Jacu is angry, maybe the nest is just above my head.
Jacu is the brazilian bird that is used to produce a super expensive poop coffee, in case you are wondering.
Sub-tropical forests are dense, often humid, filled with insects, and dazzling. I cross a grass field to enter the forest again on the other side. I'm looking for another stream to see how's the water level. There are native tangerine trees somewhere; they only bear fruit during the winter though.
Anybody knows a good night vision camera? I always wonder what kind of animals wanter at night. The adjacent creek meander around the rocks. It's not as potent as the main creek, but it's a valuable secondary water source. We gotta have the water company test a sample to see if it's drinkable; they've said our well produces mineral water, so chances are high the stream is fresh too.
Back home, I realize how privileged we are. Given the statistics, it's almost a weird flex to say we have plenty of freshwater at home. It also serves as a testament to reinforce the importance of preserving our little ranch and allowing cattle where cattle is due, without deforesting to open more space.
Perhaps this is the legacy of cryptocurrencies: Enrichen more libertarians who value land as one of the most important assets cryptocurrencies could purchase.
Less Lambos; more Landos.
Peace.
Did you know that I have a book out? Check this!
Access Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/6500272773?
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~Love ya all,
Disclaimer: The author of this post is a convict broke backpacker, who has travelled more than 10.000 km hitchhiking and more than 5.000 km cycling. Following him may cause severe problems of wanderlust and inquietud. You've been warned.
"Water covers about 71% of the earth's surface. 97% of the earth's water is found in the oceans (too salty for drinking, growing crops, and most industrial uses except cooling). 3% of the earth's water is fresh. 2.5% of the earth's fresh water is unavailable. 0.5% of the earth's water is available fresh water."
Mind boggling numbers. Yeah, fresh water is just so precious... Every time I return to my Czech homeland from some tropical/subtropical destination where people have to buy water in bottles or barrels, I feel so grateful and privileged that I can actually drink right from the tap. You might remember that in many European countries, the tap water is not only drinkable but even delicious and healthy (full of minerals). What a blessing.
Yeaaaaaa, I remember cooking almost everyday with water directly from the rivers. It's crazy to think that it represents only 0.5% of our fresh water. I've been researching desalinating proccesses, but I'v read it uses a lot of energy.
Well, I was talking about the tap water, not rivers, but who knows :D Maybe @onlavu will tell us more about the quality of water in Czech rivers? :D
Thanks for mentioning me, mate😁
I would say that water quality of Czech mountain streams is very good as rivers rise there, so they are not spoiled yet. After all, it's no surprise that sometimes protected water facilities are located at foothills. When water arrives at cities, it naturally gets more spoiled, it's not definitely crystal clear as you could find in the mountains. Simply said, in the Czech mountains, I dare to refill my empty bottle with water. Anywhere else in the same country, I do not😉
Same principles could apply to Slovakia as well.
Thanks for shedding some light upon this topic :) That´s pretty much what I thought. However, occasional sračka is something that one should better be prepared for when drinking from rivers :D
sračka🤣 you nailed it🤣 Rivers as such, yes, except mountain streams and springs.
Wow, what a beautiful location you have got there!
0.5% is a tiny fraction, I am shocked, honestly! I wish we would have more education on that topic before letting a tap run free 😮
Yeeees, I was shocked as well, especially when I see plenty of water around here. I wonder how do they define fresh water. Is it drinkable? or just non-salted water? Because if the 0.5% is any fresh water (not ready to drink), that number might be even less (not that we can't treat that water).
The website includes this:
So they consider highly polluted water as unavailable. Is it water that we can't treat anymore?
So many questions!!!!
Beautifully written Art.
And a great conclusion. You are truly blessed to have both water, land and crypto in your life.
It's the best triad, I'd only include a Land Rover to make it perfect.
There'll be a day where land will be so scarce I'm even scared to think of it
thanks for commenting <3
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Yo, thanks!