The Water Crisis in the American Southwest || Peter Zeihan

[@damiannordmann-invinciblee6049]

Your ability to receive so much data and information, assimilate it, and convey it in simple terms never ceases to amaze me Peter!

[@KamAroundTheWorld]

Getting this at 4:45am every weekday is what life is all about.

[@Gutenmorgenside]

10:45am if you live in the UK.

[@rhinoskin7550]

​@Gutenmorgenside 2021 good morning :)

[@bjkarana]

And if you throw in some 5am deadlifts, you're pretty much winning at life.

[@mikebell1961]

Peter, I live in the Imperial Valley. A MAJOR year around agricultural area in So Ca. The Imperial Valley is just literally across the Colorado River from Yuma Arizona. The Colorado River Compact is indeed what keeps this area alive. The "Law of the River" as it is known by local farmers also guarantees landowners a specific amount of water per acre feet FREE!!! Yes FREE. There is a conveyance fee charge by the local Water district IID, to move the water from the Colorado River to the field, but absolutely no charge for the water. Now it gets even better. If you are a local Imperial Valley Farmer who owns a few thousand acres of farmland. You are "Entitled" to that water from the Colorado River. (Trust me when I tell you each farmer will go to war over the water that they are entitle to) If you choose to farm the land or not. So here is the rub for us that don't farm. If you choose to fallow the land you will be paid for the water that you were "Entitled to" but elected not to use. The IID in turn sells that water to another Water District for a healthy profit. Usually in San Diego. So here we have a Natural Resource that literally flows through the desert southwest that is being sold for profit by a Water and Power Company. So, at the end of the day. This is about Money. (As usual) and unless Congress steps in California will let Arizona dry up like a leaf on a tree before it gives away any of the water and or renegotiate any part of the Colorado River Compact. Partly because they realize they are holding all the cards when it comes to any future industrial growth that Phoenix and Tuscon would be perfectly set up for with regard to workforce. What better way to control where future growth goes than controlling the precious Natural Resource required to make it happen.

[@TechToWatch]

And if California gov Gary Newsom becomes president, he won't pressure CA to give up water to let other states grow

[@adamlee2550]

Living in the hills of Northern England, it's hard to imagine a place where there is a lack of water. I feel so blessed when it rains which is all of the time.

[@DieFlabbergast]

Not quite ALL of the time, even in Manchester!

[@keyboarddancers7751]

*@Adam Lee* I never complain about the weather here in the Pennines cos I know other parts of the country WILL be struggling at some time later in the year.

[@actionjksn]

I live in the midwestern part of the United States, which is actually more to the east, and we have abundant water.

[@eterno2457]

@@user-kh8mg7ci5i well i was born here, i didn't have much of a choice

[@aaronbaker2186]

"It can't rain all the time." Brandon Lee, The Crow.

[@jwiegraffe6290]

Peter, one insignificant point of correction, the Columbia is the largest river by volume that flows into the Pacific. It pales in comparison to the Mississippi.

[@kurthill2124]

Points of clarification. The Colorado Compact gave allocations for water in the 1920s, not based on when your infrastructure was built. AZ has the second largest allocation, after Calif, because at the time it was the second largest population and, as pointed out, a major producer of fresh produce for the U.S. Still true today. No one wants to talk about where the replacement for all of the desert produce of today will come from if we remove all of those farms in AZ and Calif. It would be a massive hit to the US food supply. Second, all PHX golf courses and city parks use "reclaimed" water -- meaning treated effluent from sewage treatment plants. Lastly, the CAP canal came online in 1993. Before that PHX got all of our water from 6 reservoirs above the city, and Tucson from underground water. Those same 6 reservoirs still provide a large portion of the PHX metro water. One more food for thought, the last water supply reservoir built in AZ was Lake Powell in 1965. No one at that time saw the population explosion that would occur over the following 50+ years, in AZ or Las Vegas. There have been proposals to build more, but all have been blocked. As I type this, there is a large amount of flood water flowing across the desert that is not being captured by any reservoir since the 6 above PHX area currently full and there are none below them to capture this rare excess. This is also part of the desert climate. Long dry spells and truly massive floods... repeat. (For one day in March 2023, the Verde River had the same flow as the Mississippi River in Iowa! And that has happened a few times in the 32 years I have lived here.)

[@donalbershardt9290]

It would be Relatively Easy to Pipe Columbia River Water from Medford to California Reservoirs.. But???

[@alexmcneily]

@@donalbershardt9290 I would not be "easy". 1. Medford is on the Willamette, well upstream of the Columbia and not enough water even for Sacramento. 2. Too expensive, it has been priced out - not the least would be building resevoirs and cost of pumping water over the Siskiyou mountains. 3. You'd never get rights through all private lands. 4. You'd never get past environmental impact issues. 5. Then you'd have to negotiate you way through California water rights.

[@twostop6895]

@@donalbershardt9290 the Columbia nonsense was politically crushed years ago,

[@jeanlamb5026]

@@donalbershardt9290 California once suggested that. It was received with the phrase 'cold dead hands'.

[@timothymorgan8723]

I always have found it stunning that people move to a desert and then complain about the lack of water.

[@ylette]

It's like when they move right next to an active volcano and then wonder why they have lava in the livingroom. (George Carlin quote)

[@Mr_Fairdale]

Who’s complaining? I live in Las Vegas and never had a water issue. No lawn, but I do have a pool. Life is good 🤙

[@Schlabbeflicker]

There IS water, just the prior appropriative use rights established in the western US isn't at all how the rest of the world plans out water rights, so you get REALLY sub-optimal water use planning and all the shortages just get blamed on newcomers instead of scaling everyone's water appropriations equally in dry years.

[@oldkbellguy5156]

@@Schlabbeflicker There isn’t water in a desert by definition. This video points out the only reason people can live there is crazy extravagant engineering feats to move it there. Long supply lines by definition are fragile.

[@ryankuypers1819]

@@Mr_Fairdale Being a statistical sample of one isn't relevant to the general issues of your city. Las Vegas and Phoenix do and will continue to have struggles with water which is to be expected in a true desert. Not having grass is one of the sensible solutions. Preventing evaporation from a pool is another. I live in San Diego county and fully expect Colorado to turn down the tap and some point. CA needs to come to the realization that desalinization plants (and the accompanying electrical demand) will need to be implemented along the coast for long term planning. We're fortunate enough to have access to a large body of water although desal isn't an inexpensive option. Since we just experienced record rainfall this "winter" I'm sure everyone will become complacent again until the next drought cycle takes hold.

[@RichardBrubaker]

Love the increased awareness on water, but Peter really missed a big piece of this being that while the world may be "deglobalizing", in the space of food & ag, the numbers are only going the other way... and while the link was not made, China's own struggles with water tied themselves to the issues that Peter speaks to... but in ways FEW have yet to consider. Case in point, during the last CA water crisis, when Gov Brown was telling people not to sill up their swimming pools, my team and I looked at ag exports to China. Knowing that food IS water (and land), and what we found was pretty stunning. At the time, with about 30m tons of soy being sold into China, and with the assistance from a study from Univ of Iowa, we put the virtual water footprint of those exports at about 60 TRILLION liters of water. Sure, much of that from rainfall, so "it doesn't count", but a growing percentage of that coming from Midwest aquifers. Which, if you have been following along, have been struggling to recharge. However, as soy isn't a uniquely CA product, we refocused our efforts on Almonds exports (to China). Which are 98% (+/-) from California.. and just in that year alone (2015), the water that CA exported to China through Almonds was enough to shower every man, woman, and furrbaby for 7 years. So, if Peter's insights come across like a ice cold bath, I hope you will take the time to consider that as the US, China, and other growing regions see water stress via climate change and increased urban draws, this will quickly turn into a global food challenge that will drive global politics... but more importantly inflation. It is something I am talking a lot more about lately… As seen through this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/baTYiHqspdJmqNU, which I hope gives a bit more context for those in this space as well. Thanks Peter for opening up the conversation. I look forward to the next one!

[@cletushatfield8817]

The world isn't deglobalizing. It's globalizing in a different way, i.e. one that disfavors free markets.

[@kyleganse4978]

Very interesting data. Thanks!

[@Coresponsibility]

The challenge of water sustainability is something that is/ will cut across all sectors of the economy, nationally and globally, through food and energy pricing, and unlike the intangibility of carbon/ climate change that continues to confound civic/ business leaders, the tangibility of this challenge will become VERY real VERY quickly.

[@RichardBrubaker]

@@cletushatfield8817 Disfavors free markets or globalization? I ask only in that the globalization of last 25 years wasn't exactly free, be it thorough the subsidies/ regulations meant to support domestic industry or the externalizes (economic, social, and environmental) that were faced. Either way, I like the word disfavors, or at a minimum looking to discourage (in some areas, for a period of time).

[@cletushatfield8817]

@@RichardBrubaker Given comments from the recent Trilateral Commission in New Delhi, it appears to be a matter of increasing scale, centralization, concentration, what have you, of influence.

[@jol5067]

Water is such an underestimated issue! Peter please make more videos about that! There is a big water crisis in Europe coming up

[@BurgerKingRuefe]

There is for example a prolonged drought in the Po river plain in northern Italy. Much of the grain and rice that is produced in italy grows there. In spain continues the decertification where lots of fruits and veggies for the european market is produced. I am sure there are other examples.

[@pohkeee]

@discipleofkrolmou don’t read news? Barges couldn’t even navigate for a large part of last year.

[@unatrek2821]

Water is $0.01 by water truck for 1000 pounds. People just are spoiled and like to whine for subsidy to get even cheaper like their neighbor. Sand too went up a bit, to $.02 for 1000 pounds, but compared to cost of wheat or oil this is dirt cheap. No factory anywhere is water cost more than 1% of the cost of the product, humans with pipes and market have mostly solved water. It's just not limitless and free, so let's have perspective, not everything is nearing crisis levels. Arizona went from 1 to 10m since 1930 yet still manages.... Yes if try to grow watermelons in desert it'll be $20 water bill a melon, so literally just grow in Alabama, why do we even discuss this stupid problem, we have Alabama......

[@dtsai]

Tony Robins said, it’s not how few resources you have, it’s how resourceful you are. You have resources everywhere but you don’t do anything with it. I’ve seen so much rain water go into the sea and realized it’s such a waste. To help keep inflation down, Water flows can spin magnets generate electricity in dams. Rather than building oil pipelines, we could have a national rain water grid pipeline to use potential and kinetic energy water flows to generate electricity and water crops, etc. You could have perpetual energy and lower energy costs to keep inflation down. If pipeline leaks, it’s only water. The maintenance can create easy safe jobs in every state than oil pipelines.

[@morrisse0_088]

coming up? it has been here for years. now its just too big to be overlooked

[@bogrunberger]

The novel "Pompeii" by Robert Harris is a fascinating murder mystery / history lesson that takes place just before the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. The main character is an Aquarius who is in charge of maintaining the giant aquaducts leading water to the cities around Mount Vesuvius. Those cities could not exist without the aqueducts and were only settled after the aqueducts were built. I highly recommend this book to anyone, but the similarity to the American water crisis is just stunning. And the decision to have fountains in the desert is so similar to how the wealthy romans wasted water with their own fountains and always-running- water that came to a sudden stop when the volcano begang to move.

[@urbanarmory]

There's a near future novel called The Water Knife that deals with all of this in a dry future

[@kitfisto15678]

My brother works in water conservation for a city in AZ, and generally speaking you got everything 100% correct in terms of the situation! You outlined the legal situation great and highlighted the appropriate details and players. My brother has been saying for years its going to come down to a legal fight. Personally, I see Congress imposing a solution recommended by the Bureau of Reclamation. CA refusing to come to the negotiating table in good faith will screw them in the end. And good riddance. You can't condemn your neighboring states to death because you want to keep your Beverly Hills houses with east coast yards and refuse to use more water efficient forms of irrigation in the Imperial Valley.

[@knoll9812]

This is America dang it. You cannot take California's water for the common good

[@Bayard1503]

Isn't Arizona just as irresponsible continuing to build and do agriculture that it can't support?

[@opus1656]

I'd love to see Peter do state by state series.

[@troythomason8032]

You mean all 57? Barrack's number not mine.

[@danyeager7561]

@@troythomason8032 On the campaign trail, Obama once mistakenly said "57 states", and of course trump jumped in with "the fake media never...". From this we can infer that in fifteen years trump never learned the difference between mistakes and lies. How could he? He NEVER makes mistakes.

[@jerryrichardson2799]

​@@troythomason8032This from a four time loser, that supports a lying four time loser, facts.

[@jerryrichardson2799]

​​​@@danyeager7561Yep, Trump lies _all_ the time, but his supporters _love_ it. I used to think evangelicals and conservatives put a higher premium on the truth, I was wrong, alas.

[@matthewmcclary7855]

Wow. Trump just lives in your head like he owes rent. The conversation was about Obama. Keep up.

[@darthhodges]

When I lived in Idaho a popular joke was that no matter what happens between now and the end of the world, at that moment there will be 2 water lawyers standing in front of a judge in Idaho.

[@jijiinu4698]

Ha! Being from CO and both formerly pre-law and academic counseling, I often suggested resource rights, mainly water, as a great specialization for burgeoning attorneys. Travels well globally if one makes a name for themselves too!

[@HaroldBegzos]

My first trip to Phoenix was in the mid 70's. I was blown away by their use of flood irrigation in the desert. I wondered if it was an economical use of a scarce resource? As Peter points out, it wasn't.

[@HopeisAnger]

You're on it. As someone living in Tucson I have to say Phoenix is just California writ small. Wasteful, arrogant, and fumbling.

[@G0rdy92]

Yeah I work in Ag and the the way Arizona irrigates is so wasteful, California is an asshole in regards to using seniority to hog a-lot or the water, but on work trips to Yuma you see the difference in how wasteful they are with water. They should switch to drip systems like a lot of California Ag uses. That and I don’t think Peter is thanking “can the Southwest sustain the massive population boom we’ve seen recently? Should this many millions move into a desert that doesn’t have the resources to sustain such a population?”

[@robertschulke1596]

Flood irrigation causes the maximum percentage of water to actually soak into the ground. It is best for deeply rooted plants, e.g. orchards. Drip is better for vegetable crops, but expensive to put in on real farms. Greenhouses are excellent, but expensive. Spray irrigation is absolutely wasteful, and daytime spray irrigation is absolute idiocy. Anyone doing daytime spray irrigation should lose their water rights.

[@G0rdy92]

@@robertschulke1596 that’s the thing about Yuma, they grow predominantly leafy greens, broccoli, cauliflower and herbs down there during the winter when we can’t grow in California. They don’t really do orchards, those stay in the Central Valley/ we get offshore fruit from Chile and Peru in the winter. Last trip down there we were talking about how sooner or later AZ is going to have to get on the drip system if they want to keep farming down there. California has a lot of work to do in updating is aging infrastructure that can help

[@fortium1025]

Desalination plants would be the most resourceful thing to do, but everyone suddenly lacks imagination and will-power when it comes to something like this. We've lost the grit that settled the west in the first place! The transcontinental railroad, the california aqueducts, the panama canal, the interstate highway system, the stupid mandates during COVID. People is capable of growing the necessary genitalia when they value something. Start building a massive web of pipes from the west coast to the interior of the west. Today! Saying this is too expensive today, and that it will tak too long is the attitude of short-sided people who lack vision and appreciation for future generations.

[@californiasmiles1]

When I was TEN YEARS OLD (1958) and living in southeast Arizona, I recognized the water issue and was concerned enough to write to President Eisenhower with suggestions. My efforts gained me my 15 minutes of fame when my family was invited to the White House for a private tour, which we happily accepted. I can say that I have actually been in the Oval Office. I know that clean water is a worldwide issue and I’m careful with how I use it. Always have been.

[@MarioTheGoose]

I have lived in So Cal for over 40 years. It doesn't rain often here, but when it does it can rain REALLY HARD and then washes out to sea. The same with several years of droughts followed by a year or two of washouts. Every time it looks like something might get done about saving water, it pours down raining and you hear nothing more. Being the world's policeman seems to be far more important to our politicians than our infrastructure.

[@matthewmcclary7855]

Florida here. Why do you call 14 inches of rain a flood?

[@patphatkitten]

There is old tech to capture as much rain water as possible. In India the villages compete with each other to build the most structures that capture rain water and they can grow more plants, trees, vegetables and fruit trees and food for their animals . Contest was started by Indian actor. In north Africa people are digging water saving half- moons into the ground/ desert to trap what little rain falls from the sky. The are growing more fruit and plants and keeping the Sahara desert from moving south. Man named Tony Rinauldo, from Australia? Who is reforesting many African countries by teaching farmers how to bring back the trees that were cut down decades ago. I think there is something called permaculture? And you use gravity and hills and the natural land to catch and save as much water as possible and next thing you know rivers are being created and trees and vegetables and fruit are growing. So many ways to go about this. It is about allowing water to get absorbed into the soil and keeping rain from washing away the top soil, and trapping into the ground as much rain as possible, when you only get one or 2 inches per year.

[@MarioTheGoose]

Because SoCal is not a flat swamp. It dries up into a nearly cement brick during the summer. Then when the rains come water gushes down ravines where the dancing media make a much bigger deal out of it than it actually is.@@matthewmcclary7855

[@innosam123]

⁠@@patphatkittenProblem is that Cali has barely invested in new reservoirs for decades… Rainwater storage is great if you have the space. Flooding large parts of SoCal isn’t something the farmers are interested in.

[@patphatkitten]

@@innosam123 yes, but it is the farmers that will dig the structures, as many as they have space for, to capture the rain so that they can water their fields, grapes, whatever they are growing,bring back some needed trees that still have roots underground, grow plants and grains for their sheep or cows, etc. The structures can be 2 feet across or smaller or as big as a small pond or bigger. They can go in the side of a mountain, etc. You are basically digging half moon shaped holes, man- made ponds and lakes, etc. There is a technology to it and there are several schools of thought. I think one is permaculture??. The other is Regenerative Farming ??? In Africa and they don't even collect rainfall and they don't plant trees. They bring back to life all of the trees that were cut down decades ago. They thought the trees were competing with their crops, but the trees help their crops by protecting soil and attracting water for their farms and animals. The farmers do the work of bringing trees back to life, once they are shown how and it happens very quickly by working WITH Mother Nature. So, many ways to go about it, all 3 methods based on science. The farmers in California will have to do it for themselves 🎉and each person in California with land, homeowners,will have to use one of these methods to water their own land and lawn. This could be done on a bigger scale IF the politicians knew about these methods and IF they want to. P.s. large, new infrastructures may not be needed, at first. Can't wait for politicians to do something.

[@GentlemenMonkey]

Coloradoan of the rural western slope variety here. Water rights are serious business to us here to such a degree that ditch riders tend to carry a sidearm. I believe a shares system like we use internally here would be the proper solution, with every beneficiary getting their entitled portion of whatever the water flow is. This of course carries its own problems and would encourage water storage but I think overall it's both the most fair solution and would promote water conservation practices.

[@prospectorsoils1240]

4th generation on both sides of the family on the western slope. Water wars and killing over water are a real thing. Smacked up side the head with a shovel or shot between the eyes the out come is the same. There is some serious emotions over water. This water year is going to be interesting. Mud slides, rockslides and flooding. Snowpack is biggest ever recorded. There is already damage with more to come. Luckily we have really good managers in this area. reservoirs are dumping at historic records for this time of the year. Ridgeway is the problem child with no spill way. They have it knocked down to historic lows to take on the incoming. I hope its enough. The glory hole can only take so much.

[@adamseidel9780]

Pretty common Macroeconomics 201 way to handle the tragedy of the commons.

[@davidparadis490]

You should talk about the draining of the great central aquafier...its a huge problem headed our way

[@Drew-gi5dw]

CALIFORNIA also is causing the problem with drought. This year CALIFORNIA got enough rain and snow to have water for 15 years. One of the things that the prior GOP governments did was build a whole host of artificial reservoirs/lakes to hold the periodic massive amounts of moisture they get, but the environmentalists after Democrats came to power in the late 1990’s complained they were ruining the natural habitats of creatures and tore down the dams that created those resources. So instead of having water for 15 years, as California should, they have enough for 1 year, if that.

[@jaevric]

Californian here, can you please point to the dams that you think have been removed so I can take pictures and make fun of you properly?

[@Drew-gi5dw]

@@jaevric - I’m a former Californian. I lived through them doing that in the early 2000’s. It was done because the environtalists said those artificial lakes were harming the species that lived there and for the purpose of “environmental Justice” those lakes needed to be drained and dams removed. Asking someone to track down the details 20+ years later is a straw man argument, especially since your only purpose is to defend it if true and mock it if false, but not to actually recognize the reality that environmentalists are the cause of nearly every natural disaster that impacts CALIFORNIA presently and not the Climate Change boogeyman

[@jaevric]

@@Drew-gi5dw Dam removal projects take years and are major projects on par with building the things in the first place, and I have never seen any articles or other information regarding dam removals in California. Also, calling someone a liar in the absence of evidence while they are making a fantastic claim with loaded language that attempts to drive a political agenda is hardly a strawman. The only logical fallacy I see here is you attempting to blame environmentalists for conducting actions that never occurred. Also, I've actually lived here for 30 years, so I think I'd notice.

[@Drew-gi5dw]

@@jaevric - you called me a liar from the beginning, so don’t play the victim now. And yes, it did take years, I’d guess, to drain those lakes and remove them, but again, happened while Bush was POTUS and we had the Governator, although I believe it was authorized before him about the same time as the disastrous attempt at deregulating only half of the electricity market. It’s interesting to me how Democrats do stuff, it turns out to be a disaster, and they either deny it happened or blame Republicans or anything else. ESPECIALLY environmentalists. Remember, it was also during that period that at the national level the environmentalists in the Federal Government terminated numerous other regulations related to preventing forest fires and large scale fires, such as controlled burns, for the exact same reasoning: it damages/destroys the natural habitats of creatures. That’s how we ended up with all these mass fires becoming more frequent, which are then blamed on Climate Change when they are man made not by burning fossil fuels but by failing to take responsibility for preventing their spread. Later they forced PG&E to divert funds for maintaining the electrical infrastructure to buying solar panels and wind turbines, making things even worse. And of course, just like with the production of solar panels, the efforts to save the environment are far worse for the environment than had they not tried to save the environment in the first place.

[@TheDude12374]

Environmental organizations such as the Sierra Club and NRDC have long opposed construction of any new water storage facilities, including the proposed Sites Reservoir. They also continue to oppose desalination. Remember the recently-killed Huntington Beach desalination project? Let’s hope no dam removals happen. (The enviros have been pushing to destroy Hetch-Hetchy for a long time)

[@longplanning6273]

Peter, did you read the book "The Source: How Rivers Made America and America Remade its Rivers" - great read on the history of US rivers. So much of our country has been formed and influenced by our rivers! Truly fascinating.

[@garza7676]

Great video . I’ve lived in Las Vegas for 20 years but grow up in the Yakima Valley and still have family there . The Columbia river is the most Beautiful thing to see in person . When I moved here I told myself there’s no way this could go on forever 20 years later Lake mead is at its lowest .

[@guillermocortes3783]

As a resident of Californias Central Valley I’d love to see you do a more in depth video on the water issue here. Love your content. Been a fan of yours for years.

[@GalenMatson]

Thanks for covering this. FYI, the Mississippi has double the discharge of the Columbia River.

[@davechumney2176]

Ya, but our Columbia river water is a helluva lot clearer and cleaner! LOL

[@BlackJar72]

You left out other relevant point for some parts of the South-West, that some areas are also dependent on tapping subterrainian reservoirs aquifers which are slowing running out as the water is used faster than it is being naturally re-used. Though New Mexico isn't that populated it is particularly a problem there.

[@andylane247]

I remember seeing aerial film of Phoenix, with green lawns and gardens, with a sudden change to arid scrub when the houses ended. Unsustainable.

[@seapeajones]

​@@andylane247 hasn't changed. NV at least has been changing to native desert/drought resistant plants.

[@joemichels4530]

@@andylane247 Most AZ lawns are gravel, not all, but most.

[@justmenotyou3151]

​@@seapeajones no if they would give up their fountains.

[@aaronbaker2186]

Also that the ability of the Hoover dam to produce power is at issue.

[@AMERICANPATROIT101-y7r]

I enjoy the cadence of your speech. I usually have to watch others on 1:25 or even 2X

[@crepuscularwintersky]

I agree. Peter's voice is so enjoyable that I will happily listen to him speak on any topic whatsoever.

[@kennethkaminski3438]

Another Fantastic discussion. I live in Phoenix now and have learned about where our water comes from. Fortunately, we are not very dependent on the CAP, I think around 10%. And we have a tremendous amount of underground storage, supposedly. But, yeah, the fountains should go. And we should cover all the camels to reduce evaporation.

[@RangerGucci]

This is really interesting. Thanks man. I've lived in the southwest for a long time and I see effects here in Arizona every day.

[@YoPhocFays]

Yes, I've seen the dry ring around Hoover Damn and lake mead get noticeably larger within just one decade

[@carlstevens781]

Was just reading about this the other day. California tells Arizona to go pound sand so it can keep farming in the inland empire, while Arizona is still trying to figure out how to siphon water off from the Mississippi and run comically long & financially unfeasible water infrastructure to account for it. From the articles I was reading, it looks like the feds are leaning towards evenly splitting the water, but know that it would be politically perilous & California would see it as a total betrayal.

[@TK-en2hq]

California not getting absolutely everything it wants is always framed as betrayal

[@shannonkohl68]

Keep in mind that California's politicians don't favor their farmers. If anything they hate them unless they are wineries and maybe these days marijuana farms. (Because most farmers are conservatives, even in California, excepting those groups.) California does however understand that a lot of people who leave move to Arizona and Nevada. So they have good reason to suppress those states.

[@george2113]

@@shannonkohl68 thank you for mentioning the political hate

[@artruisjoew5473]

Huh. I guess this does provide an opportunity for the GOP if they win federally - either force them to renegotiate, or just pull an Andrew Jackson: hold the military back so they don’t do anything, and let Arizona, supported by the Texas national guard and local guard, build a dam, and tell the court to enforce their laws themselves. This can absolutely destroy a Democrat stronghold physically (sure they won’t vote for GOP ever again, but they already don’t do that, and they matter a lot less if they have a population collapse.) while gaining the support of several states, potentially even win over Colorado.

[@badxxxmonkey5541]

California has proven their managerial skills time and time again. California needs to add effort to their finely ground aggregate.

[@Nashcaster]

You gotta be my favorite person for 2023. Shout out from colorado! 🤙

[@_winston_smith_]

As well as inter-state battles, California could see some nasty intra-state battles. Southern California gets a lot of water from Northern California. When rationing was imposed in Northern California, in Southern California a lot of big water users (golf) kept right at massive consumption unchecked. Then there is the whole farmers vs. households dynamic. It could get very messy.

[@richardmyhan3369]

I grew up in Palmdale California. I had a great uncle that practiced law in lake Elizabeth in the 1990's. We used to fish there. It pretty much dried up until the unseasonably wet year this year. Lake Mead hasn't been far behind. It's mind blowing.

[@DurzoBlunts]

Till it dries up again

[@WoodLifeCrisis]

I grew up in Santa Clarita not far from pdale moved last year just before the water came back I was in ems/fire was so dry and water non existent.

[@richardmyhan3369]

@@WoodLifeCrisis I still have a lot of family out there. We moved to Missouri in the early 90's. I just kinda stayed. Lol.

[@unatrek2821]

Being surprised by dry in desert is like being surprised by cold in Minnesota, it's not mind-blowing, it's expected. Truck in water and it'll be $100 a month per house, this is not a crisis issue. Owners of water in west will sell for hi price, but whiners like to see if whining will work instead. I'm a whiner too, but gotta admit whining is not a good argument, I could just pay a medium bit. Water is literally cheaper per pound than sand, $0.01, it's fun how everything gets spun as crisis to see if whining will get govt help .. The psychology of crisis is cool, yell and ignore facts, sometimes it works. . . . No factory pays more than 1% of total cost of product on water, we humans have cheap water....

[@innosam123]

Mead has been in drought conditions for decades. Vegas is actually pretty conservative with water- with the water being recycled and/or re-entering the reservoir due to the fact the Vegas Basin drains into Mead.

[@JK-zw8ec]

This is all about water recycling - both groundwater recharge and a closed loop urban water system. Water that is sanitized at the sewage treatment plants will be pumped back into the water supply for reuse. There will be losses from evaporation, leakeage and outdoor uses but the majority of the water can be reused over and over instead of discharged out of the treatment plant. Also, the the Phoenix metro area is currently curtailing some housing developement based on the potential future water resource.

[@dtsai]

Tony Robins said, it’s not how few resources you have, it’s how resourceful you are. You have resources everywhere but you don’t do anything with it. I’ve seen so much rain water go into the sea and realized it’s such a waste. To help keep inflation down, Water flows can spin magnets generate electricity in dams. Rather than building oil pipelines, we could have a national rain water grid pipeline to use potential and kinetic energy water flows to generate electricity and water crops, etc. You could have perpetual energy and lower energy costs to keep inflation down. If pipeline leaks, it’s only water. The maintenance can create easy safe jobs in every state than oil pipelines.

[@kentgrady9226]

I am curious to learn Zeihan's opinion on my hometown of Omaha. The city has long been a national punchline for being a thousand miles from anywhere, flyover country, and the place where mafia snitches go into witness protection. (It was the new home of the fictional Saul Goodman and the historical Henry Hill). However, Omaha is a secret economic powerhouse. It is home to a number of Fortune 500 companies. Water isn't a problem, as the state contains the most lineal miles of river in the country - and sits atop the deepest part of the Ogalalla aquifer. Labor is relatively affordable. Home prices, while sharply elevated the last few years, are low. The population is highly educated, providing a strong foundation for skilled labor. The city also has a lengthy history of welcoming immigrant labor. It is a transportation hub, sitting at the intersection of two transcontinental highways, freight rail, and a navigable river with access to open water. The local climate, while not great for attracting tourists, does offer huge advantages. Warm summers create great agricultural weather. Cold winters kill off pests, fungi, etc. And strong winds make it the potential (I would argue, inevitable) beneficiary of plentiful green energy. Every time I consider leaving for greener pastures (metaphorically speaking), I think to myself, is it really better anywhere else? Maybe. But, I honestly can't think of where that might be - outside of Texas.... And I have no interest in living in Texas.

[@chetprice]

Yes but it’s in Nebraska. Snow, tornadoes and the persistent smell of cow dung that wafts over the entire state. Hard pass on Nebraska.

[@frankjennings4489]

Yeah, it’s great that you love your hometown, but the 1,000 miles away from major cities is a big drag. Also if you are into nature i.e. huge forests, mountains, buttes, beaches etc., Nebraska is a real snooze fest.

[@kentgrady9226]

@@frankjennings4489 No reasonable person would suggest that anyone comes to any part of the Great Plains for the pretty scenery. I regularly drive across Nebraska to Denver and Colorado Springs. You are preaching to the choir. I actually enjoy the drive in spite of the drab view. But that's just a personal preference, and I completely understand why a person would dread making that trip. However, it's important to distinguish *good* geography from *attractive* geography. Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa have great geography. Excellent soil, easy road and rail access, and more miles of rivers for navigation and irrigation than any place in the US - perhaps the planet. It's also important to distinguish nice weather from favorable climate. Nebraska's hot, humid summers and cold, windy winters are not a good draw for tourists. But they serve the purpose of driving agriculture exceptionally well. Zeihan is largely agnostic about aesthetics, with respect to his evaluation of a place's economic potential. After all, Omaha is basically a cold version of Dallas, from a geographic standpoint. And he is (rightfully, in my opinion) aggressively bullish on the Big D. Finally, you ought to recheck your mileage. Omaha is not "1000 miles from the next major city" - unless you narrowly define "major" as coastal. It's an easy day's drive to Denver, the Twin Cities, Chicago, Milwaukee, and Saint Louis. It's a two and a half hour drive to Kansas City. I certainly have criticisms with respect to Omaha. I think the basic conservatism (by which I mean philosophical conservatism, rather than political conservatism) of the local population has stifled growth opportunities in the past. Local taxes - especially real estate taxes - are incredibly high. And the rest of the state, addicted to Omaha-generated wealth and tax revenue, is loathe to allow Omaha tax revenue remain in Omaha at the expense of.... Well, whatever they spend our money on. And finally - I love mountains and sunshine and pretty forests as much as anyone. I do sometimes bemoan the lack thereof in my hometown. Nevertheless, that philosophical conservatism and Midwestern stoicism have placed the city in a fantastic economic position. They have furthermore shielded the region from the worst of economic downturns which have ravaged other parts of the country in recent years. Again, I'm not trying to be a billboard advertisement for transplants to come to Omaha. I'm personally bullish on the city because I see advantages we have relative to similarly sized cities and even some larger ones. I'm only curious to know what if any research Zeihan might have done on the region, and whether he shares my thoughts.

[@hectorcardenas2171]

I wouldn’t mind living in Omaha, but I don’t think it has good, and varied job opportunities.

[@kentgrady9226]

@@hectorcardenas2171 Do some research, my man. I understand why people think that, so I totally get why that would be your initial reaction. But Omaha is truly a powerhouse, economically speaking. Punches way above its weight. Headquarters to five of the Fortune 500, huge tech sector, health care, transportation, finance, engineering, ag science, etc, etc, etc. And wages relative to the cost of living are quite high. While Nebraska is a Right to Work state, Omaha itself is strongly pro-union. Something like 80% of local industrial and commercial construction is performed by union workers, the railroad is obviously heavily unionized, etc. People don't know it because it's in the middle of flyover country and the NFL hasn't got a franchise here (that's important to a lot of people, I guess). But, I'm telling you... When people visit for the first time, or find themselves transplanted for work, they're astonished. From the arts, to public safety, to the quality of local education, to nightlife, to local events... The city has got much more going for it than most people appreciate. Fun fact - Omaha's ethnic demographics mirror those of the United States as a whole - almost exactly. IE: if the US as a whole is 13% Latino, 13% black, 5% Asian, 2% native American, 68% white, that's about exactly what Omaha looks like. That's why national companies test market new products here. If it sells in Omaha, it'll sell everywhere.

[@robt9374]

Welcome to Vegas! I’ve lived here since 98 And work for that casino over your left shoulder. Thank you for bring up this difficult issue that directly impacts the Colorado River states. I’ve followed this drought effecting Lake Mead for a couple years and it’s a tough subject for sure. Anyways have a great time and enjoy this beautiful weather. Rob T

[@Kirkrrr]

I finally had a map pulled up when listening to this video, and as suspected that makes it easier and even more enjoyable

[@stevenjacks9966]

Great clip. I completely agree with everything you said. Of course part of the challenge is the fact that there has been very little effort to take advantage of the water Mother Nature does give us. We have just entered El Niño. It will likely be very wet next year and the politicians will do nothing but sit back and watch as massive amounts of water go out to sea. Our infrastructure is designed in CA for 20M not 40M many of whom don’t pay a significant amount in taxes. It’s a great place with some very serious challenges.

[@Gnosoupforu]

I live in Arizona just outside of Phoenix and astonished at the number of man made lakes everywhere. The amount of water used to keep them full has to be astounding especially given during the summer months with temps averaging 105 or higher, evaporation is going to take its toll on maintaining water levels. Plus, the number of new residents moving in puts more pressure on water usage as well.

[@nolan4339]

Maybe need to start promoting shade covers for these reservoirs. or Floating solar power?

[@patriciapalmer4215]

30 years ago, I didn't move to Arizona having studied their water situation or Orlando, an economy built around one industry. I pitched a tent in the wilderness and crossed my fingers 😆

[@louismentillo9315]

Thank you for addressing these types of issues

[@dmatmor]

Always learning something from you. Greatly appreciated.

[@pv4083]

I feel like this guy is waiting for the right time to tell us that he has the cure for cancer….I love this channel and his information. Thanks

[@thomasherrin6798]

More like a cancerous COVID bug will be on the loose soon!?!

[@douglevin9021]

That big blue thing on the map just west of Cali looks like a promising water supply. Would love to hear Peter's thoughts and knowledge on desalination.

[@seapeajones]

Energy intensive, loud (so expect the NIMBYS), expensive & brine disposal is an eco problem. But you get water. Open sea vapor harvesting looks more promising on every front.

[@ryankuypers1819]

@@seapeajones Mostly correct. Energy intensive (CA's grid struggles with above average A/C usage during hot spells so it isn't ready for additional loads), loud (so expect the NIMBYS) [High pressure pumps running inside a building don't create a local noise issue. I've been around the Carlsbad desal plant and heard nothing, but I agree the NIMBYs will always be a problem anywhere on the coast], expensive (True and 50% of it is paying off the jackass environmentalists) & brine disposal is an eco problem (I disagree. Run the concentrate water out via pipe 1/4 to 1/2 mile into the ocean and the roughly 60,000 ppm water will blend very quickly with the roughly 30,000 ppm water. The amount of drain water produced by a desal plant is negligible to the volume of the ocean). Interested in open sea vapor harvesting, but even a bigger NIMBY issue than a desal plant every 50-100 miles up the coast.

[@SoloRenegade]

@@seapeajones Energy intensive or not, other countries do it, CA is one of the largest economies on earth, the can afford it, if not for the corruption.

[@SoloRenegade]

@@gregoryclifford6938 called rainwater collection.....

[@baloonfart8082]

I get nervous when I am in Phoenix because I just feel like rain is a myth over there.

[@ccnewberry]

I'm five-generation Yuma farmboy, but now live in the Phoenix area. Yes, it often feels as if rain is a myth here-- especially in Yuma, more so in Yuma than anywhere else in North America (perhaps excl. Death Valley). Yuma is an agricultural paradise. Citrus, dates, pecans, cantaloupes-- and most especially, in terms of our national food supply, winter vegetables. With our mild and balmy winters, sandy soil and ample sunshine, no other place in the country can duplicate the wintertime agricultural productivity of Yuma County, AZ. Scary to think how much of our nation's winter vegetables come out of one Arizona County even while California's fingers are tight on the spigot. We're just an hour from the Gulf-- if they had drawn the Gadsden Purchase just another 50 miles to the south, Arizona would have had that beach! But the talk of building a pipe from Santa Clara, Sonora, to Yuma, and then up the Gila River to Phoenix and Pinal County: Seriously, you really wanna trust Mexico with the security and management of the pipe, pump and nuclear desalination infrastructure over the first fifty miles of this artificial anti-river flowing upstream? This state is also a wintertime golfing mecca-- and the amount of water required to keep the golf courses green is nothing short of obscene. But meanwhile, there are reservoirs all over the Rocky Mountains, both large and small, whose main contribution to the world consists of trout fishing, duck hunting and water skiing. We all need to make changes and sacrifices, and the changes will hurt.

[@RavenRaven-se6lr]

Crazy situation- Executive decision needed her. Thanks for letting us know🇦🇺👍

[@RobertNewsome]

I grew up in the '50s through late '70s in Southern California. Water supplies didn't seem to be a concern until the later part of that period. Now it seems serious and it makes me feel happy that by chance we have settled in the southeast owning a property with a ⅓ acre pond that is at least half full seven or more months a year even in periods of drought. We will soon have our own well that should rarely if ever run dry. As water is the most important resource to sustain life and I believe it will soon become a bigger worldwide concern than oil has ever been I am confident we have selected a good location to put down roots.

[@Mechaneer]

Having worked at LA Department of Water and Power, I'm fairly well-informed on these issues as well. I'm actually going back to work there next month, but that's beside the point. In the wake of the rainiest winter I can recall in my 12 years in LA, an obvious partial solution is to dramatically increase rainwater capture in LA County. There's areas that are both low population and high elevation, such as in and around the Santa Monica and San Gabriel mountain ranges, where this would be great to implement due to low water pumping costs. While LA has historically been known as a not-so-rainy coastal desert, I believe this year's incredibly cold and wet winter is primarily due to climate change, which clearly isn't going away any time soon. We are likely to have many more higher-than-average rainfall winters for a few decades to come, and it makes a lot of sense to capture and utilize it. California can kindly offer to reduce Colorado River dependency by a multiplier of what they plan to capture with these systems, say 1.5x. In exchange, they can negociate for newer river dependants to help subsidize the cost of LA's water capture systems while benefiting from increased water access and future negociating rights. Also, they should increase water costs for golf courses and almond farms, and pass the increased costs down to relevant end consumers. Both of the ideas I've suggested could be substantial contributors to a complete solution, and help minimize lengthy legal battles and reach a solution more quickly.

[@chrise842]

"Climate change" is a natural constant since the beginning of the world. It's not a separate entity, like a layer put on top of static "normal". Goodness.

[@TheMrgoodmanners]

Arizona is a truly shocking case when it comes to water waste in the US. Much of the state is arid, pretty kuch half the state is desert, but you have their farmers planting extremely water intensive crops like soy and alfalfa using the dumbest open top irrigation techniques that leaches off the states ground water. If you read the history of collapsed meso american civilizations in the south west, its always drought and water issues that cause it.

[@aurorajones8481]

Deal with it. We only have so much land that gets all this sun. And our farm land is YOUR farm land. Vegas recycles 100% of their water. AZ was set to do the same thing decades ago but retards put a stop to it. Morons. The fact is we have the tech and capability to do the same. I have no fears over this. Whats on the table is someone paying big bucks to make that all happen.

[@jimluebke3869]

Aren't soy and alfalfa part of a crop rotation to keep the soil productive, though?

[@xdCrispy-Crisss]

@@jimluebke3869 Alfalfa is a very thirsty plant, isn’t there better things to grow like wheat or corn?

[@richardarriaga6271]

​@@xdCrispy-Crisss Too hot for wheat. Corn is also thirsty and needs fertilizer. The arid climate deters some of the pests, so AZ agriculture isn't so crazy.

[@taylorc2542]

The easy answer is to cut agriculture. Growing crops in AZ is really dumb. Growing it somewhere else isn't a big deal except for a few farmers growing orange juice and cotton in Phoenix. It ultimately requires a correction of first in time, first in right.

[@MultiDrew83]

Peter, what will the future hold for countries like Scotland which has high rainfall and and abundance of high quality fresh water lochs etc??

[@DJCallidus]

People from dry countries will move there in droves Sound familiar?

[@kevinsutube1p528]

The UK has a lot of resources for the British to flourish. Not so much when you invite in half of Africa and Asia lol

[@jacobcardiff7978]

Hell of a video. Thanks for the information.

[@novascheller5957]

Love yr perspective and reality checks!

[@kavemanthewoodbutcher]

As an Arizonan, LA getting the river that flows primarily through my state is infuriating.

[@recurrenTopology]

LA called dibs.

[@Schlabbeflicker]

Almost NONE of the Colorado's water even originates in California, and almost all of California's river diversions leave the basin completely and end up some 250 miles away in LA. It's absolutely insane. You can bet if they built an aqueduct from the Columbia River a hundred years ago, they would still try and claim rights to the entire river today.

[@GeoffO856]

Fellow Arizonan, I couldn't agree more. Vast majority of the lower Colorado basin is fed by AZ rainfall. AZ uses only as much water now as the 1950s w/ 10x the population. AZ does not have the option of desalinization. Yet, California takes more water than anyone and spits in our eyes while doing so.

[@kavemanthewoodbutcher]

@@GeoffO856 I'm from the northern part of the state, we've had immense run off this year, the Little Colorado drainage is what's brought the resivors back up. Not cool knowing that water that ran off of my rocky slopes, is watering avocados a state away, instead of benefiting a neighbor downstream.

[@TJWasiuk]

I’m just glad AZ had record rainfall over the past year. Our canals are full of water unlike a few years past.

[@Telluwide]

Green grass lawns, especially in areas where they don't grown naturally and are imported are the biggest waste of not only water, but real estate in modern history....I mean, other than aesthetics, space from your neighbors and the street, what utility do they provide to homeowners and society in general, especially when considering their costs and upkeep....

[@21972012145525]

Agreed! Normalize brown lawns!

[@teresamccartney1309]

I think las Vegas was paying residents to rip out the grass and go to a natural landscape.

[@RoyADane]

To quote an old article: "The front lawn is the most expensive crop in the world, and you can't eat it."

[@MN_Home_Fry]

As other's have pointed out in different ways, much more a "people crisis" than a water crisis.

[@thomasherrin6798]

Storage crisis, like with renewable energy loads of power not enough storage, renewable water (AKA rain) not enough storage, a big chunk runs into the Ocean!?!

[@shorewall]

Sociopaths talk about a "people crisis". "We just need less people!" And how do you propose that? "Forced sterilization and Mass Euthenasia!" Real Humanitarians.

[@anmanuca]

That's why rainstick shower is amazing... Safes 80 % water and everyone in the southwest should have that

[@joela.4058]

This was a particularly informative video, thank you

[@seandelaney1700]

I was shocked when spending time in some poorer Tijuana Mexico neighborhoods where they shut the water off regularly without warning in order to preserve it for the neighborhoods apparently deemed more important. Tijuana gets some of it's water from the Colorado as well and like the other SW states was told it's getting less now. This is a real and current example of just how bad things are becoming, no showers, no way to flush your toilet.

[@ericp0012]

There is a similar thing happening between China(BRICS) and South East Asia(ASEAN).

[@damienbates]

You may not be aware, but this actually happens throughout much of Mexico and Central America, and even parts of South America. I experienced this and Guatemala and El Salvador as well. It has to do with their water, treatment capacity and ability to produce enough potable water. These locations had no drought issues whatsoever and received significant amounts of water

[@seandelaney1700]

@@damienbates That is interesting. To be fair at least three of the TJ shut downs were infrastructure related, ie. Having to pump over hills and a fast growing, poorly planned city? My experience in central Mexico has been perfect, but those too are more touristed places.

[@DesertMav]

I've seen some news reports about potentially pulling water from the Pacific and building some lines with Mexico where we will set up a few desalination plants on both sides of the border to produce additional water to Arizona. It seems more feasible than running water from the Pacific Northwest that I've heard about.

[@seandelaney1700]

Orange County CA just chose not to build a desalination plant after discussing for a decade? Environmentally bad as it increases the salt in the water and the oceans are beat up as is. If they won't allow it for themselves it's hard to see how they would allow it for another.

[@joshsherk1402]

I'm an Arizona native and I've always enjoyed the desert or (lack of weather in a sense) that I like the predictability. Even as a native, I still am annoyed and can't get over summer heat. This is why so many neighborhoods and homes have some type of pool (whether professionally done or DIY-mode). I have always wanted to live on the beach as my retirement, but there are good things about living in Arizona. People here are gentle and respectful. MY wife and I agreed to have our back yard with real grass instead of fake because it makes it feel more real. So I know for a fact that responses to mine will probably generate in the why not buy fake grass or just move to somewhere with grass? I honestly just love the desert and the ease people bring to each other here. Yes, I do believe there will be water wars, but I also think humans are able to solve this riddle from time to time. There is a scary fact that in 10-15 years, we WILL have infighting among states. If this is the case, then it might be the push my family needs to move somewhere with cooler and wetter climate.

[@DuelyusSeazer]

It's one of the trade off's you need to make. You get the consistent weather and climate that you feel comfortable in, but unfortunately the trade off is you have to have fake grass. I don't think that's an unreasonable trade. Nevada has to do it

[@kaythegardener]

Do you harvest any rainwater that does occur??

[@wanbcwboy]

@@kaythegardener I'd need guidance for that, I've been considering using bath water and sink from dishwasher to add to our sprinkler system by taking a big bucket and just dumping it out there. Not sure how to be efficient in this, but if anyone has any advice on DIY rainwater or water usage to grass/flower conservation, I'm willing to learn. In fact, I'm starting my research this week.

[@tristan7216]

​@@wanbcwboyin some states it's actually illegal to capture rainwater, I think it is in CA, check the regs for your state then search KZbin for rainwater capture systems I'm sure there are a million prepper videos about building them (you'll start getting weird ads tho). Also got to worry about the stored water going bad and mosquitos, so research it thoroughly.

[@wanbcwboy]

@@kaythegardener Rainwater is few and sparse. Not that much except for maybe 2-3 week window of the year, but most of it is drained or accepted already in our soil as it's not as hard as most people believe.

[@ThadBrown]

I disagree with you on a lot of fronts sir, but you're 💯 on this one. Great explanation in a very short video. Bravo!

[@markking7912]

I’d love it get an update on this!

[@dsamh]

You say water "crisis". I say you built your house in a desert.

[@dubletar7351]

LOLOL exactly

[@jamstagerable]

How dare you point out the obvious!

[@julianshepherd2038]

And then had northern European features like lawns and golf courses that look like Scotland. 😅

[@axelfiraxa]

​@@julianshepherd2038 dont forget the big outdoor swimmingpool

[@powershift2024]

The Californian gov't, and those who vote for said current gov't, haven't a f*cking clue about solving real world environmental issues. Good to know sharing resources doesn't apply to them too.

[@Schlabbeflicker]

Back when the first diversions from the Colorado into California were under construction, Arizona established a literal two-ship navy along the lower Colorado in order to prevent California and the federal government from building a dam on Arizona soil, and taking what they (at the time) perceived as Arizona's water. What eventually defused tensions was Arizona receiving their own diversion project on the east bank of the Colorado from the same dam they had initially opposed.

[@Taftalicious]

There were also machine gun nests above Hoover Dam if I remember correctly lol

[@russellseilhamer4552]

The water crisis in the SW is going to be epic. Peter, you should do a video about Appalachia (Kentucky, WV, Western MD, Ohio and Central Pennsylvania). The weather isn’t bad, there’s jobs and the cost of living is well below the national averages. I think this will be a major growth area of the country especially when you factor in water shortages and the world getting hotter in general. There’s a lot of educated, hard working ppl up here. I live in Hollidaysburg PA

[@joemichels4530]

Get ready for the big letdown when that water crisis doesn't appear. Yes, there has been a 20-year drought, but that is common, and things are looking up given this last winter's rain and show and El Nino on the way. One could predict the reverse of the drought just as easily as predicting the drought to continue.

[@shawnd5746]

I think the video on Appalachia will just be a video on the Jones Act.

[@richardeinheuser5529]

I’m outside of Detroit on a lake. We have more water than we know what to do with. But we’re never sending it to the southwest. Let them fight over their little water. They chose to live in a desert

[@davechumney2176]

@@richardeinheuser5529 I agree 100%! I can see the Columbia river from my house, up here in S.E. Washington, and feel the same way! Leave my river alone!

[@mrh4900]

Appalachian here, we don’t want you here. Stay home

[@alikhelat]

hi Peter thanks for your explanation. i was wondering about it. please let us know more how to manage this problem. specially about hot lands.

[@thomasglessner6067]

Thanks again, Peter.

[@tombee9785]

Mr. Worldwide himself

[@MultiDrew83]

He fair gets around!! No wonder he excuses carbon footprints lol

[@robstone4537]

Build cities in the desert then get all surprised when you run out of water. 🧐

[@jimroberts1944]

It reminds me of Californians, building a log home in the middle of a California desert complain cause they lost their house to fire.

[@kevinsutube1p528]

U mean in a middle of a forest???

[@JP-iq7pu]

I have seen many people complain that California's environmental policies are insane and have been either THE problem or part of the problem for many of the environmental issues today such droughts and fires.

[@protorhinocerator142]

The fact that CA dumped trillions of gallons of fresh water into the ocean a few years ago to make a fake crisis and instantly blame it on "climate change" tells me they need to put CA at the bottom of the stack immediately and charge them 20x the normal amount for water. They can't be trusted. Ever.

[@kevinsutube1p528]

Not really. Having over 20 million immigrants here jacks up our water usage and building small towns in forests leads to devastating forest fires. The “environmental policies” here are mainly fake virtue signaling nowadays

[@chrise842]

50.000 NORTH KOREAN SPECIAL FORCES DEPLOYED TO UKRAINE, 500.000 STANDARD SOLDIERS FOLLOWING ! ! ! WHERE'S PETER'S STATEMENT?!

[@zakeaton5632]

yes democrats have failed to properly manage the environment in Cali for decades, but we need to give them more power to control more 😂 unfortunately their delusional voters like Pete here gobble the propaganda right up

[@jacobgordon7998]

Industrial society is the problem. Temporarily it's fantastic for a few, long term it has a series of terrible repercussions which negate whatever good it previously brought.

[@justamannn8674]

Excellent breakdown ty!

[@robertoliphant930]

Problems are issues, that need to be addressed...❤

[@TylerOrchowski]

I live in Phoenix and I'm thrilled to see you cover this issue. I wholeheartedly agree that agriculture, especially crops that have heavy water demand, should be dialed back in the region. Further, I'm shocked by the low marginal cost of water in this area. I pay a reasonably large water bill for service to my home, but in months where I drain and refill my pool, the bill goes up by 20-40 dollars, for tens of thousands of additional gallons. If we want to push water conservation, a simple price increase would do wonders to encourage it economically.

[@captiveamerica1776]

Our aquifers in Phoenix have about a 20 year supply and the state has a 100 year supply of groundwater. The problem is the state government is selling off the groundwater to various corporate interests at too quick a pace. And we're not replacing it fast enough, if at all.

[@dameongeppetto]

​@@captiveamerica1776 exactly. Made a deal with Saudi Arabia to line the pockets of local politicians.

[@dibari22]

If I'm not mistaken, California's "straw" into the Colorado is higher than the other states, so no matter what any treaties say, they'll run out of water first. Arizona's "straw" is next. Nevada/Las Vegas' "straw" is literally in the bottom of the river, so Vegas should be safe, waterwise, for a long time as California & Arizona draw their water from the side (I hope that explanation makes sense). The bigger problem is going to be lower water levels leading to "dead pool" status, when the turbines can't turn and the power goes out.

[@visitante-pc5zc]

No matter. Central planning and Socialism will save us all

[@21972012145525]

Does it not run north to south?

[@chrise842]

50.000 NORTH KOREAN SPECIAL FORCES BEING DEPLOYED TO THE UKRAINIAN WAR THEATER, 500.000 STANDARD SOLDIERS FOLLOWING ! ! ! WHERE'S PETER'S STATEMENT?!

[@shannonkohl68]

That may be how the current intakes work, I don't know but Arizona of course has control over much more of the Colorado than Nevada (or California) does. All it would require is building an intake that is upstream from Nevada. Obviously we're ignoring what the courts would say about that. But when push comes to shove, Arizona can control all that water if they want to. I would also point out that about half of Phoenix's water supply comes from the Salt River, which joins the Colorado downstream from Nevada.

[@madmeh2929]

But didn’t Peter just say that California is at the top of the water list, and Arizona was at the bottom? So technically CA’s straw is the deepest. Everyone else’s consumption can go to zero before CA has to cut. According to Peter the other states agreed to cut if CA would agree to cut as well, and CA told them all to go pound sand. Which is why the other states just want to pull out of the agreement, take the water they need, and let the courts work it out in the next generation.

[@peterkost4376]

Ive never understood agriculture in arizona

[@The_Norse_Hunk]

Great video. You're my fav Peter

[@barnyardbrio7597]

I was wondering how that worked .... thank you!

[@richardgrumm3414]

A good summary of the problem and issues. I find it interesting how an almost century old agreement will likely be changed in a region where most States hold a 300 year old agreement untouchable. California will likely lose its water rights and privileges. I do find it odd that AZ is where they are building microchip factories as they require so much water. Taiwan has been in a drought over the past 3 years and have had water issues impacting agriculture and chip manufacturing. And their big companies invested in AZ. It is a bloody desert!

[@TimothyCHenderson]

Agreed. Seems foolish, even if water rights were changed or updated. Even more people would end up moving to Arizona, causing continuous strain on their water supply.

[@pauleades9037]

Interesting video to a viewer in Wales (UK) where generally we have an abundance of rain most of the year. I was a bit surprised however, that you made no reference to the Ogallala Aquifer and the serious risks to agriculture and the population in that area re drinking water as the volume of the aquifer diminishes and will take thousands of years to refill.

[@bigchunk1]

Congressional action would require the house of representatives and California unfortunately has a lot of those.

[@seapeajones]

And yet still proportionately not as well represented as far less populous states.

[@r.a.5086]

Yeah, that's not going to happen. Certainly neither politely nor quickly. This will need to be settled in the courts.

[@joegreen6578]

The hits just keep comin!

[@chrisb8411]

Crazy how things change quickly, I just went to the lake on Tuesday near Phoenix, the lake was almost 100% full.

[@matwest711]

I really hope California never has major water issues. I can’t take anymore of them moving to my state

[@michlo3393]

LMAO what are you? the fucking gatekeeper? stop crying.

[@re1v3r]

Cali douching it up again 😂

[@guyagainstthegrain]

I will say as a resident of New Mexico we have had a significant amount of rainfall over the last two seasons, so much that most areas of the state are out of a significant drought from just 1 year ago. This past winter we had decent snows in the mountains and the San Juan's north of us got a ton of snow. This will certainly keep the rivers and creeks flowing better through the summer. From what I understand, Arizona also had a record monsoon season. So while there are issues with the Colorado river compact and ongoing expansion in the southwest, we are no longer in such a significant drought as we have over the past few years. This scenario gives us a little breathing space for a time.

[@badass_seabass]

Why doesn’t this man have a podcast? It’d be the top 10 in the world for sure

[@shaellugazzi6189]

I enjoy your podcasts

[@markusschellenberg4684]

Its not the golf courses (allthough that is a problem too), 80% of Caifornia's water goes to agriculture, 20% of that to almond farms!

[@Lusa_Iceheart]

Yup, the idiots in Cali want their soy milk so bad but it takes too much damn water to grow tree nuts in the desert. They also grow assloads of alfalfa that get's exported to china. We won't starve if California stopped the agricultural stupidity, actual food (wheat, corn, grains) is grown in the midwest. This cash-crop crap California grows we can live without.

[@somtimesieat2411]

Golf courses are an ecological horror. Glad they won’t last.

[@kevinsutube1p528]

Yeah they will. Lol. Do you think poor people run the world?

[@oldkbellguy5156]

I still resent having to use water saving washing machines and shower heads here in Missouri because there’s a water crisis in California and Arizona. I’d also like to add that it’s almost impossible that any of my waste plastic ever ended up in any ocean.

[@nate5eplayer574]

Thanks for all your research 😊

[@tommontreal4821]

Very informative. A good overview of the regional water situation: the link between geography, economics and politics. Yeah, easy to see there will be a f*cking big fight over water coming soon. So Peter, tell us with all your wisdom. What is (are) the next regions that are well positioned for future growth ??

[@guykrenn]

California has had it too good for too long. It's sensible and fair to distribute more water to other states that have far more potential to meet America's new needs. Great vid, Peter!

[@r2dad282]

CA refuses to build more reservoirs to harvest the billions of acre feet going to the pacific, yet they will fight tooth and nail on this water rights issue. Being a single party state, negotiations are viewed as capitulation. Only in CA!

[@aaronbaker2186]

​@@r2dad282 well CA and TX. You know, the only state not on the national power grid because they refuse to follow the same rules as others.

[@r2dad282]

@@aaronbaker2186 I wouldn't lump TX in with CA. CA revels in telling every other state what to do, which they view as "leading". TX wants to be left alone to do things their own way. TX is more libertarian, while CA is the DNC. And that's why every other state hates CA trying to tell their citizens how to live their lives. (eg NG is evil, EVs yes vs ICE no).

[@simonacerton3478]

@@r2dad282 I am not defending the way they do business but negotiations are capitulation. California doesn't actually benefit from the new arrangements and a such has no incentive to cooperate. As Peter Zeihan noted they have to be forced by the Feds to do it

[@knoll9812]

​@@r2dad282they own the water rights. Forcing them to give them up his communism.

[@chrisvance6400]

The amount of frequent flyer miles this man must have. Goddamn

[@jhwheuer]

Trust me, not worth it. Did 250k/year for a decade, still working off my balance. Not. Worth. It.

[@kevinsutube1p528]

Yeah. He sure puts up a lot of carbon emissions for a self proclaimed “green.”

[@taipizzalord4463]

He is not green, he is a green who can do maths.

[@kevinsutube1p528]

@@taipizzalord4463 ok, you totally misused that quote. That would be relevant if I said something about him having a gas car vs electric

[@taipizzalord4463]

@@kevinsutube1p528 I was joking. But yes there should definitely be a man on discounts and loyalty programs the more you fly. I would also say ban domestic flights. But the US is not like China with a HSR alternative.

[@Ceemysix]

It would be interesting to hear your take on the water situation in the San Joaquin Valley Peter. It’s a travesty.

[@reaktorleak89]

This is real news. Thank you, this information affects tens of millions of lives for the next few years.

[@bonanzatime]

Besides all the great information, what makes it so easy to watch his videos is there is no redundant, pretentious, annoying intro crap.

[@w.harrison7277]

Zeihan always struck me as the kind of person who would never admit to a mistake, and if forced to would have all kinds of verbiage to weasel out of a true admission.

[@krewdugdale7973]

I love how neurodivergent and concise he is

[@rpgbb]

What about using desalination plants like Israel does?

[@41chemist19]

Desalination plants are absurdly energy intensive and very very costly. Israel is a different country with very different water uses. The political option is messy but it's the only sane one we've got.

[@21972012145525]

Well it helps if you’re able to steal it from the Palestinians

[@MrWonderful09]

Desalinization is not cheap. Do we have the will power to pay for it?

[@teresamccartney1309]

What will california charge the other states for water from their plants? Betting the bill will be astronomical

[@frenchonion4595]

There's no profit in that. In America, profit > water plus Zelensky would throw a fit if he knew we spent money on that.

[@ryandamey]

I live near Seattle in one of the most water stable climates on the planet, between the Olympics and the Cascades with the Salish Sea (Puget Sound) in between. We have little to worry about in terms of rainfall, groundwater or other states sucking our water elsewhere. And still, we all have a similar opportunity to manage our water supplies better and create more opportunities for rainfall by planting more productive forests. By productive I would include timber, but emphasize food production tree crops like nuts, (pine) seeds and dates (in the SW). The more trees, the more rainfall. The taller the better.

[@diffmiss]

outstanding content!