Natural Resources
Peace, Prosperity and Water
By Phil Roark
Astronauts circling the earth in spacecraft have marveled at the abundant beauty of our blue planet. Water covers 71 percent on the earth and 98 percent of water is found in our oceans and seas. Water vapor in swirling clouds is equally visible from space and constantly in motion bringing fresh water to our lakes, rivers, and aquifers which make up the remaining two percent of the total water. Every species on earth is completely dependent on water.
We humans are a terrestrial species living on land surrounded by seas. The stately saguaro cactus, the elusive trout in our mountain streams, toads that spend a year dormant in desert sands, and the myriad marine creatures of the salt rich oceans all depend on water. But it is this precious two percent of fresh water that provides life for all terrestrial species including we humans. We depend on a doctor recommend eight glasses of water a day for proper health. Even our search for life beyond earth is predicated on first confirming the existence of water.
Here in Sedona, our little corner of the planet, we are far from a watery blue. We live in a semi desert. Red is our dominant color emanating from our ubiquitous and stately rock formations. Red is nicely complimented by
Photo: Wib Middleton
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