Water conservation and regressive policy

In a drought people should save water no matter what yet ways are found to resist this common effort. Why? Simply put, values differences have led us apart, citizens are not on the same team in a time of increasing inequality.

What we have with water conservation is a regressive situation. The smallest users suffer the most, just like they do economically with wages and taxes. The economy and water are similar common pools where those with the least power have a tendency to get the worst deal.

The only way conservation works is for people to feel they are on the same team pulling for the same goals. In the current era of increasing inequality, little guys subsidize big guys all the while getting a smaller slice of the pie. A vicious cycle of resource depletion and increasing inequality progressively destroys incentives to participate in good faith.

Why should I conserve to subsidize large users who then run off with all the marbles? Why should I save water to see new irrigated yards, pools and hobby vineyards? I want to see my efforts go to environmental water and equitable distribution.

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When people see that their conservation efforts clearly plug into an overall public good they will willingly participate. When the hidden agenda is just more business as usual, which has led to growth and expansion being out of proportion with sharing and conservation, then it’s a vicious cycle where top heavy selfish interests destroy the common ground we all need to stand on.

Conserving scare water in a drought is the common sense right thing to do no matter what. People will be watching to see that government and economic development play their fair role. If ‘growth’ is necessary, provide a sensible rationale for why increasing demand is OK in a time of scarcity. In order to create a virtuous cycle or a same team approach, I’d say economic forces have to be brought back in balance with environmental sustainability and social equity. Looking at the state of the world around us demands this kind of approach.