Why the American West is fighting for water protections

Not all rivers and streams are protected under the Trump administration’s new definition of “water.”
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For most of its nearly 50-year history, the Clean Water Act protected all US rivers and streams from pollution. But the Trump administration redefined the types of waterways that get federal protection, which affects some states in the arid West more than any other part of the country. The reason why has to do with the differences between certain types of rivers and streams.
For EarthJustice’s watershed maps:
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For more reading on the impact of the Dirty Water Rule:
www.nytimes.co...
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CORRECTION: In the intro, we incorrectly identified the locations of two Washington, DC-area rivers. At 00:12 and 00:15, that section of the Anacostia River runs through Washington, DC, not Maryland. And at 00:22 we incorrectly identified the Occoquan River as running through Washington, DC, when in fact it runs through Northern Virginia.

[@Vox]

CORRECTION: In the intro, we incorrectly identified the locations of two Washington, DC-area rivers. At 00:12 and 00:15, that particular section of the Anacostia River runs through Washington, DC, not Maryland. And at 00:22 we incorrectly identified the Occoquan River as running through Washington, DC, when in fact it runs through Northern Virginia.

[@andrewtrevinoguerra3056]

Great work!

[@kiitc]

Really appreciate adding this! Great journalism!

[@dqst1ny420]

Finally reporters who admit they’re wrong.

[@kingreuben9516]

No one would have noticed lol but it is good that you change it anyway

[@hasanmuhammad6651]

I'm early \(^ワ^)/

[@moonrisehowler1842]

The Native Americans treated nature with respect, while many of the Americans today don't even believe in climate change. I feel so sorry for being part of a nation who can't get its act together. Edit: The Natives Americans _still_ treat nature with respect.

[@LoraCoggins]

Same here, in more ways than one.

[@wheredidfrankgo]

This is the result of industrially funded obstruction for decades that made it deeply into (conservative) politicians, conservative media and finally the people. Related things to look up: Denial of climate change, Exxon, Heartland Institute, Koch Industries, Murdoch/News Corp. Sadly, they have been very successful at this and managed to politicize climate science, making it a polarizing issue along with racism, abortion and other liberal vs conservative disagreements.

[@robertevbayekha6639]

Same

[@lalnicol]

Hi, can I just add a small correction to your comment: the native Americans "treat" nature with respect. Indeed they are still alive and still at the forefront of most if not all fights for environmental justice in the US. Please do not erase this fact.

[@moonrisehowler1842]

@@lalnicol You're absolutely correct. Thank you for that.

[@kevincui5282]

Trump be like: “No one knows about water more than I do. It’s a great great thing. In the past four years my administration has done more for our water than any other administration in our country’s history. We now have the best water in the world. No other country has as much water as we now do.”

[@colatf2]

And now the EPA can’t do as much because the politicians can scrutinize all the raw data from environmental scientists. Hopefully, this will be reversed. It doesn’t make sense to willingly sabotage our own water sources for money. It will just cost us more later

[@yasinhamidi6501]

Dont forget the hand movements

[@clayel1]

@@yasinhamidi6501 YES LOL

[@dimensiond6002]

Correctional "in the past 4 years my administration has done more for our water than any other in the administration and our country's history with the possible exception of Abraham Lincoln"

[@thewolfleader500]

Humans: We Need water Trump: Oh shut up, you don't NEED it, I need my money more.

[@thewolfleader500]

Please god Biden save us!!

[@SaadNabil]

@@thewolfleader500 true.

[@insectbite1714]

@@thewolfleader500 no, Trump helps the enviorment.

[@thewolfleader500]

@@insectbite1714 you are.. factually incorrect

[@thewolfleader500]

@@insectbite1714 nO, tRuMP hElPs ThE eNvIoRmENt.

[@Cart_ama]

2015: Clean Water Act 2020: Doo Doo Water Act 2021: Clean Water Act 2.0

[@jodibuckley7361]

🤣

[@shivuprasad4333]

Joe Biden will to bring it back again then

[@crispycactusstudios6234]

Fun fact: during the cold war, the government dropped a nuke down a mine shaft in Arizona. Unfortunately, the mine was connected to underground springs, and the radioactive elements ruined the water supply for one county.

[@a199063]

Of course he did it. Taking a dump on everything, on clean water, on truth, on democracy. That's what he always does.

[@swopeboi]

you guys seriously make my favorite types of content. I have watched "explained" (all versions) on netflix like 4 times!!

[@JD-jz5rr]

Animal agriculture puts a heavy strain on many of the Earth’s water, land and energy resources. In order to accommodate the 70 billion animals raised annually for human consumption, a third of the planet’s ice-free land surface, as well as nearly *sixteen percent of global freshwater* , is devoted to growing livestock. Furthermore, a third of worldwide grain production is used to feed livestock.* By 2050, consumption of meat and dairy products is expected to rise 76 and 64 percent respectively, which will increase the resource burden from the industry. ~ ~ Using land to grow crops for animals is vastly inefficient. It takes almost *20 times less land* to feed someone on a plant-based (vegan) diet than it does to feed a meat-eater since the crops are consumed directly instead of being used to feed animals. According to the U.N. Convention to Combat Desertification, it takes up to 10 pounds of grain to produce just 1 pound of meat, and in the United States alone, 56 million acres of land are used to grow feed for animals, while only 4 million acres are producing plants for humans to eat.~ ~ *More than 80% of the Amazon rainforest that’s been deforested since 1970 is used for meat production, either for grazing or for growing crops just to feed cattle* Clearing habitats for animal agriculture is the principal cause of habitat destruction. Destruction of forest habitats reduces the capacity of forests to absorb carbon dioxide. The effects of habitat destruction include *climate change, ecosystem nutrient depletion, water pollution, extinction of endangered animal species* and more.~ ~ It also takes an enormous amount of water to grow crops for animals to eat, clean filthy factory farms, and give animals water to drink. A single cow used for milk can drink up to 50 gallons of water per day-or twice that amount in hot weather-and it takes 683 gallons of water to produce just 1 gallon of milk. It takes more than 2,400 gallons of water to produce 1 pound of beef, while producing 1 pound of tofu only requires 244 gallons of water. By going vegan, one person can save approximately 219,000 gallons of water a year.~ ~ According to the United Nations, a global shift toward a more vegan diet is necessary to combat the worst effects of climate change.

[@grayson6]

You get a third like my sir

[@iamkulit1cs735]

That or start making meat in a lab

[@JD-jz5rr]

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), animals on U.S. farms produce about 500 million tons of waste each year. With no animal sewage processing plants, it is most often stored in waste “lagoons” (which can be seen in aerial views of factory farms) or it gets sprayed over fields. Runoff from factory farms and livestock grazing is one of the leading causes of pollution in our rivers and lakes. The EPA notes that bacteria and viruses can be carried by the runoff and that groundwater can be contaminated. Factory farms frequently dodge water pollution limits by spraying liquid manure into the air, creating mists that are carried away by the wind. People who live nearby are forced to inhale the toxins and pathogens from the sprayed manure. A report by the California State Senate noted, “Studies have shown that [animal waste] lagoons emit toxic airborne chemicals that can cause inflammatory, immune, irritation and neurochemical problems in humans.”

[@lerbyn]

Don't forget that it's also a huge contributor to antibiotic-resistant bacteria since antibiotics are heavily used to keep the livestock healthy

[@copperdan1275]

Wow this is very serious for the animals, the environment, and even for us (as humans).

[@ZOCCOK]

Sure, some industries and companies might save a couple of pennies from dumping their waste into rivers but it will take the Government millions of Taxpayer Money to treat that waste. Trump calls himself a businessman, but his actions don't show that.

[@griffindeans8926]

The Clean Water Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act have practically saved the United States from the massive water insecurity facing most other regions of the world. Because of these wide-reaching laws the US is able to supply most of it’s water needs from surface waters (lakes and rivers that recharge faster than we can take from them) instead of groundwater (which recharges waayyy slower). This often isn’t case in the Southwest and some other parts of the country, but overall the US enjoys exceptionally cheap and secure sources of water for municipal and agricultural use BECAUSE IT DECIDED TO PROTECT IT’S ABUNDANT FRESHWATER RESOURCES. Stripping away those protections shows not only how Trumpites don’t care about the marginalized communities who suffer most from this but also how incapable they are of seeing the bigger picture and understanding how policies like the Clean Water Act hold up our nation’s infrastructure and economy in a way that wider profit margins for polluters could never financially make up for.

[@JuanVilorio]

Hey Vox what happened you guys are not uploading as often, please make a video about the insurection on Washington DC

[@brapa1190]

Dude they are on vacation All they're recent videos was made before Christmas Let them rest

[@kommunistduck2802]

@@brapa1190 That explains a lot

[@henryab2700]

These videos are so well made. Thanks for all the work you put in all of your videos.

[@dustinbelle3251]

Genuinely interested: If this isn't nationally important (for whatever time and reasons) but it is regionally important, can't local and state governments create their own legislation to manage this?

[@pickleddragon5195]

They can, but up until now they havent *needed* to. Because there were already protections in place, and nobody expected a president to be idiotic enough to repeal them.

[@mrbushy7262]

I love the way these guys animate interesting moments

[@maxsim_racing]

all I see in california is panic about the water among woke people and obvious shortage, and beautiful endless golf fields for the richest ones with green grass being watered every hour 🤷🏻‍♂️ why you asking?

[@darealist690]

Because we have nearly 40 million residents that need water

[@patrickallen2936]

Our problems here in New Mexico range much more broadly too on so many other fronts like Native American sovereignty and rights, crime, our economy, etc.

[@janplays4019]

new Mexico and the southwest need the water, there is a couple of big river in that area.

[@MokuTom]

"Water is God." America (God's country): naw, you mean money is God don'tcha pardner ;)

[@alvint3329]

Water looking alittle brown 👀👀

[@JuanVilorio]

I swear every time I see one of this neglected or "once thriving but now struggling" videos on Vox, I always fear for the inevitable "and then Trump happened and made things worse" section

[@the7311]

What I don’t understand is why making sure we have clean drinking water is such a tough debate? We all need clean water. What’s there to debate about?

[@kahill1000]

Often people take it for granted that their water is clean so they do not fight to keep it so. And of course if you can afford to live in an affluent area with less pollution you are less likely to care about rivers further away than you. Those senators of ours do not all live close to their constituents so they care more about the quick buck than the future of our water.

[@asbjrnhusum7881]

Greed that's what

[@rayhans7887]

Money

[@rationalwho]

@@kahill1000Clean water shouldn't be something you have to fight for though.. It might be my age (22) but I can't remember a single fight, fought in my country for clean waters... I am a European born and living in Greece, you can literally drink tap water in 99,9% of the country without any additional filters, either at home or at public faucets. You can feel comfortable drinking water straight out of the rivers...In addition, we have the Natura 2000, which is a network of nature protecting areas in the territory of the European Union started in 1992. It is made up of Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas designated under the Habitats Directive and the Birds Directive, respectively. The network includes both Terrestrial and Marine Protected Areas. Natura 2000 protects 27,312 sites with a combined terrestrial area of 787,606 km2 (around 18% of land of the EU countries) and an additional marine area of 360,350 km2... Just when will the US gov start to prioritize better and follow some common values??

[@jjia6304]

People are short sighted. They only think about short term gains and ignore the long term impacts of their actions. It's sad people aren't smart enough to weigh the costs and benefits of decisions.

[@michaelzhuhovitsky3889]

Only in the US u need a report to tell people that a water from one place flows to another.

[@DreamyFNSubPlz]

🤣

[@carnosinehobs7759]

Me is mericun. Ungabunga not undererstand.

[@victorcapital]

Someone pin this comment

[@AndresOssa]

You'll be surprised of how many countries around the world run suicidal laws. Sad, but true.

[@20xcountry08]

🤭😅😂🤣 sad, but true.

[@stardollfanful]

"water is life" trump: that's a funny way to spell money

[@zackiechan2601]

You're not funny.

[@shadow7670]

@@zackiechan2601 maybe it’s not funny but it’s definitely true

[@adamwidera2910]

True, trump cares more about money because dumping waste in lakes and rivers is cheaper, than actually protecting the environment and our drinking water.

[@pickleddragon5195]

@@adamwidera2910 forget the environment, trump cares more about money than protecting physical people

[@itchyscientist0576]

@@pickleddragon5195 exactly, that’s why he didn’t go to war with anyone unlike Obama. Your right, Trump hates people. You are right about Trump being nasty but Democrats are no better, they just pick and choose

[@Squintis]

That’s just disgusting. Back then “don’t pollute water” Now. “Oh well you can pollute some water”

[@DrWongburger]

Wait untill you find out how much rat feces is legally allowed to be in your food. This only alarms you because you have been told to be alarmed.

[@alice_hunter_Li]

And then all the water it's like giving someone a dollar and they take a hundred

[@arjunfarms8473]

Appsolutely.

[@carlosdumbratzen6332]

Fun stuff corporations do.

[@Squintis]

I wonder how much money in total is spent lobbying..

[@mit_Knoblauch]

As a foreigner, it feels like the American politicians are playing Ping Pong. Abolish and reenact laws constantly.

[@shivuprasad4333]

Yeah it just feels weird

[@Vaprous]

To make sense of this requires you understand the motivations here: Republicans are cronies of would-be oligarchs that want to essentially turn the USA into another Russia where powerful, wealthy private interests have control over everything including the democratic process; they *want* government to fail; to breed apathy in the general population; so that they can "starve the beast" and gradually dismantle government services to be sold off on the cheap to private interests. Inherently, the Republican party operates in absolute bad faith. They have *zero interest* in doing their job as government officials; they are just their to make money and push a status quo of moneyed interests having total control. Democrats....is a way more complicated problem.

[@cephalonbob15]

Democracy for y’a

[@tacticallemon7518]

Because here, people care more about party alignment than progress, that’s why medicine and prisons are private businesses, rich people buy the government, and taxes are so overly complicated

[@josephkrivis8443]

That’s exactly what they’re doing. It’s how they get paid.

[@TheJadedJames]

Remember how Trump would also talk about how much he cared about clean air and water whenever anyone tried to bring up Climate Change?

[@tbz1551]

He’s done more for the environment than any president in history… Just ask him 😂

[@daborinkid7279]

@@tbz1551 even if your conservative you have to admit there have been other presidents who have done more for the environment than trump

[@DOFT.mp4]

@@tbz1551 cant tell if ur using satire or not

[@aria7083]

@@daborinkid7279 he's obviously kidding

[@Hughster49]

Climate change has nothing to do with clean air and water, educate yourself!

[@Car_toz]

I'm shocked that the Trump admin would try to undo a good Obama policy. SHOCKED I tell thee...

[@AvgJane19]

Truly floored

[@nassimb7151]

This water crisis started way before the Trump and Obama administration

[@TheBrickMasterB]

@@nassimb7151 Yeeeeeeeeah, I'm glad to be rid of Trump, but it's not hard to parse that this has been an issue before either presidency.

[@jacobbwalters8133]

This policy hasn’t been all good. Obviously we should work to protect our waterways, but the wetland designations in particular are highly arbitrary and often went against common sense. A field near me has a quarter acre chunk located directly in the middle of it designated as wetland. The NRCS determined that the tiny chunk was necessary to serve as habitat for migratory birds but there was a larger area less than 100 m away already designated for that purpose. Due to the wetland designation, the farmer must repeatedly go around the small chunk and use smaller machinery, even though the so-called “wetland” has no standing water!

[@HliarusProd]

@@jacobbwalters8133 Which means classification may have had to be improved. But removing protection of wetlands is absolutely no solution to the problem

[@enzodimasi8248]

This is why the makeup of the Supreme Court matters. And voting, by extension.

[@swimdude2113]

This is also why Congress exists. If congress would do their job and pass legislation clarifying things like this rather than relying Obama to do it via executive order, Trump wouldn't be able to simply undo it.

[@dudesassemble5661]

@@swimdude2113 well, you could say that, but when Congressmen and women are busy with dealmaking among themselves and other 9000 things to do there’s only so much time to perform congressional oversight and to actually pass amendments. So it falls back to the Executive branch to implement its understanding of the law and to the Judicial to hear complaints about that and dictate its, now ultimate, understanding of the law. So, realistically speaking, this issue lies with the Supreme Court and lower courts. I haven’t familiarized myself with the Clean Water Act but if we rely on the Vox’s take the text of the statute protects all bodies of water regardless of seasonality, size, connectivity and such characteristics. Now there’s the duty of Supreme Court to interpret the law in accordance with the Constitution and, again realistically speaking, interests of the society. In performing this duty Supreme Court can strike down or rewrite entirety or parts of the laws because of the regulatory overreach. It appears from this piece that Supreme Court have neglected to do/study the research or just didn’t know how to change the regulation. With my limited understanding and no knowledge of those cases other than presented here I’m inclined for the former, cause it seems pretty simple to formulate a legal formula to distinct and set different treatment of puddles and genuine bodies of water.

[@WillStrong7]

@@dudesassemble5661 the problem is that the clean water act is clear, it extends it's jurisdiction to "navigable waters", thus meeting the requirement under the commerce clause jurisprudence. The WOTUS rule extends to many waters which do not meet that standard, were not intended to be covered by the act, and which could effectively be regulated locally rather than by the federal government.

[@alexbrewer4570]

As a native New Mexican, this is pretty concerning. Most of our water comes from wells tapping into the aquifer created by our rivers, so if there's major pollution or mine spills, it'll affect us 20 years down the road. When you live in a high desert, you're very aware about how water is used.

[@colatf2]

In Florida, as sea levels rise, the first thing to go is our aquifer because it’s underground. Saltwater intrusion is already a problem, but people are still moving to this state. It’s literally one of the worst possible investments you could make. They think that it will only be a problem in 2100, but in 2100 we are already underwater. It’s going to be a problem long before then

[@annekekramer3835]

I understand your concern. In Western Europe (at least for this part I know for a fact) all water is protected. It's nothing more than common sense. Ever since the first real pollutions past WW2, everything is regulated. Sadly I would say, "Only in America..."...

[@annekekramer3835]

@Diogo Marques Well, e.g. in The Netherlands all dumping of anything in the water (even water itself) requires a permit, issued by the government.

[@hawkmoon128k5]

My family are farmers in New Mexico and were natives from Oklahoma I’ve already noticed the bad water in our wells

[@zia4582]

Exactly, I from NM too.

[@Explains]

Fun fact: The Clean Air and Clean Water acts were signed by - surprise - Nixon. The EPA, Endangered Species Act, and Marine Mammal Protection Acts were also signed by him.

[@wayneenterprise463]

Fun fact: Then the clown and chief TrUmP repealed it

[@mike_404]

Why is that a surprise?

[@jyotirmoykyasapura3132]

@@mike_404 Because he was a Republican, the very group that is trying to repeal it now.

[@mike_404]

@@jyotirmoykyasapura3132 True but he was a moderate Republican. even progressive on many issues, at least in his first term. Abe Lincoln was a Republican and I’m gonna guess he would’ve also agreed to this law

[@Reggaetonaldo]

So? The republican party is not the same today as it was 50 years ago.

[@namenamename390]

People: It's important that we keep our water clean! Government: Let's make that into a political issue!

[@AndrewPonti]

Exactly! HMMM where have I heard that before MasksAreNotAPoliticalIssue

[@ShawnLH88]

You mean republicans made it political. Stop blaming both sides when only Democrats care about the environment while republicans only care about money

[@twonumber22]

@@ShawnLH88 It is a problem within both sides.

[@twonumber22]

@Mohammed Bokth Not just Republicans, in fact.

[@benwilliams9051]

It has to be political because companies don’t care about anything but profits so the government has to regulate them

[@rohankumarpanigrahi7475]

It's funny how we spend billions to find water and life on other planets but don't preserve the very same substances and beings right here on earth.

[@gremlin3099]

It's a lost cause now. The way the governments do not care for the future of the planet sooner or later in a few generations earth won't be as hospitable as it was in the old days. And for survival people in the future might see mars as a better place to live in

[@LowkeyUzi2614]

@@gremlin3099 well if humans live for billions of more years then we will have to leave earth. As the sun grows older and older it will expand and eventually engulf earth

[@emanueldawkins5862]

In 10 years we're going to have to rename the City Las Vegas to Lost Vegas

[@apllo4193]

How about new Vegas?

[@emanueldawkins5862]

@@apllo4193 if they run on water what's going to be new

[@askovtk4834]

that is a Fallout NV reference , in the game, Las Vegas is renamed to New Vegas after world-ending nuclear war

[@emanueldawkins5862]

@@askovtk4834 oh ok thank u

[@thecheeselord5943]

@@apllo4193 Patrolling the Mojave almost makes you wish for a nuclear winter

[@tahamohammad1741]

One day the rich will realize that they can’t eat money…

[@judesy2674]

@@mgjm115 best comment

[@KikogamerJ2]

Nope they will have their own reserves one day the people will understand that maybe capitalism doesn't work alone and so does communism only together and balanced can it work

[@kevinisenzo7945]

@@mgjm115 yes fellow man

[@pancholopez8829]

I may lean a bit to the right. But let's agree on thing. The rich, whether they are right or left leaning, deserve an asswhooping.

[@olavolavson5302]

I genuinely throught a discussion like this was exclusive to developing contries.

[@myownsite]

Moving backwards is a type of a development.

[@jacobbwalters8133]

Vox isn’t telling the whole story here. This policy hasn’t been all good. Obviously we should work to protect our waterways, but wetland designations in particular are highly arbitrary and often go against common sense. A field near me has a quarter acre chunk located directly in the middle of it designated as wetland. The NRCS determined that the tiny chunk was necessary to serve as habitat for migratory birds even though there was a much larger area less than 100 m away already designated for that purpose. Due to the wetland designation, the farmer must repeatedly go around the small chunk and use smaller machinery, even though the so-called “wetland” has no standing water!

[@edwardbrown3721]

It's a question of geography, I live in a developing country but we have tremendous water reserves

[@enzodimasi8248]

@@jacobbwalters8133 maybe you don’t know more than the scientists. I don’t know your specific situation, but this rule was repealed for big industry, not because it was bad.

[@jacobbwalters8133]

@@enzodimasi8248 there is a difference between the clean water act in general and this specific guidance from the Obama administration.

[@OfficialYeat]

Imagine having worse water than most third world countries

[@dylanwagemans7718]

The US doesn’t have worse water than 3rd world countries

[@dainty3614]

@@camelopardalis84 i agree, clean water should be everywhere, and available to everyone.

[@rahmadrenaldi2624]

@@dylanwagemans7718 bottled water, sure. Natural reserve, yeah right.

[@skysthelimitvideos]

America still has cleaner water and air than most of the world just because we don’t have a lot of density.

[@Charlie43348]

imagine being so deluded to actually believe that

[@PremierCCGuyMMXVI]

I’m thankful Joe Biden won, sad that Republicans aren’t the party for the environment anymore. At least we have the Democrats.

[@royisdabest]

have fun spending trillions of dollars for investing into climate change prevention instead of billions into nuclear plants and helping pay off the huge debt we have

[@dainty3614]

@@royisdabest ok, but who do we owe that debt to?

[@jadkhalil9263]

@@royisdabest bruh

[@AvgJane19]

@@royisdabest when did Republicans make nuclear energy apart of their platform??

[@biggestgooner1]

@@royisdabest it’s the same thing, we want to distance ourselves from fossil fuels. Nuclear energy and renewables.

[@tylerhackner9731]

This is why the southwest is turning blue

[@isabellapark5101]

I hope all future presidencies work to protect one of the things we can't live without.

[@8is]

economic prosperity

[@dainty3614]

@@8is umm, what do you mean by that?

[@hi__im_zack4890]

@@dainty3614 they mean that capitalism allows for the destruction and mistreatment of thing like water which in turn affects everyone negatively. Thus in Order for any economic prosperity for everyone, we need to increase social policies. They are pro socialism, which is good to see.

[@8is]

@@dainty3614 It's a play on what you said, but it's also kinda true; economic prosperity is important.

[@dainty3614]

@Natalie V!rG!N- S3X : TAP H3R3 ?

[@usmansiddiqui1384]

This is why NM voted blue.

[@AvgJane19]

+

[@MrYirley]

they can just ask the state legislation to change

[@drdewott9154]

@@Vii905 Only in the places where nature creates the land borders, but obviously than won't work in grid land liberty west of the atlantic. But at the same time in my part of the world, natural mountain chains and creeks and rivers are what make up the borders, and if its a stream or river thats the border, it's joint managed by both countries, since if one makes something horrible to it, it's obviously gonna affect the other side too, losing political ties to your neighbor.

[@watchdealer11]

If the government managed the Sahara, there would be a sand shortage.

[@clayel1]

Ngl sand shortage is an actual thing, and sahara sand can’t help with that. Tom scott has a good video on it. Good joke tho lol

[@20_foot_burmese_pyth0n]

@@clayel1 is this the problem where we consume so much beach sand?

[@SweBeach2023]

@@20_foot_burmese_pyth0n Not, it's about a lack of sand with a proper surface for use in concrete. Sand in Sahara has been polished by wind over millennia while sand used in concrete should be rather coarse.

[@clayel1]

@@20_foot_burmese_pyth0n yes

[@zulthyr1852]

joke stolen from the soviet union

[@luxembourgishempire2826]

Lol

[@grimaffiliations3671]

So glad trump’s havoc on the planet and the poor was limited to one term. Hopefully it won’t take us decades to undo it

[@mfaizsyahmi]

at least he's not Thomas Midgley Jr.

[@phil_cassidy]

Nah. In this hellworld of ours he'll pull a Grover Cleveland in 2024.

[@foreverKHHV]

@@phil_cassidy He may get impeached tho

[@drummondcarpet]

I love Vox! They take issues to the next level and inform people on the issues.

[@fistofdragony3213]

I love america. They have citizens that need a tv show to explain the importance of water

[@austeyen5628]

@@fistofdragony3213 blame selfish and immoral rich people, not us

[@cl0p38]

Sometimes they are wrong, but they public correct themselves. I like that honesty

[@Aeuri]

The federal government has continually worked against the interests of the land, the people, and the culture of New Mexico. Ultimately we have to find how we can work to protect ourselves and have the agency to realize that we're often left on the outside of decisions that affect us, and put in the work to set up a structure where we can have the means to look out for not just our interests, but our continued survival and prosperity.

[@aliancemd]

Uniquely a US issue(from economically stable countries). It’s called “Late stage capitalism”

[@fistofdragony3213]

Imagine the us actually treated its citizens like a first world country does. Oh wait, you like to spend all your money on the military 😁

[@Sora_Nai]

Yeah and thats why the world has seen the longest peace in human history.

[@rinharter7758]

I just hope the US will no longer exist

[@roopelotjonen5091]

@@Sora_Nai The longest peace? USA invaded Iraq 16 years ago without any good reason and effects of that shitshow are still felt today. There are plenty of wars still fought all over the world today and in recent past. Many of them have or had USA involved, some directly caused by USA.

[@roopelotjonen5091]

@Ladey Babey I never claimed USA is combat active currently in Iraq. They however, without a proper cause, started the war they are not currently combat-active in by invading a sovereign nation. The fact that ISIS managed to terrorize and rule a vast part of Iraq, spilling over from the Syrian Civil War, was directly caused by the power vaccuum left by USA in Iraq. It is true that wars are in fact much less frequent than they have been in the past but speaking of longest peace in human history caused by USAs military is misguided as USA has fought in and sometimes directly caused wars fought in the decades following WW2.

[@josepho3366]

@@rinharter7758 And China.

[@BooWorld-h9h]

PLEASE DO A VID ON THE CAPITOL RIOT IM BEGGING YOU

[@lovestein92]

fr ive been waiting for them to upload about it

[@kommunistduck2802]

Same here

[@delorbb2298]

I wonder how many voted for Trump? But let's build a climbable wall.

[@zackiechan2601]

The berlin wall was about as climbable as trumps 🤔🤔

[@karltrimillos7955]

Hey man can you do a vid about how trump was impeached and why did the UK left the EU. I hope you will notice this and make a vid tyvm

[@brapa1190]

Not just man this is a Large company

[@karltrimillos7955]

@@brapa1190 oh ok that is why I notice different voices in this channel but anyways I love their vids and I will continue to support them

[@brandon9635]

And people wonder why we didn't vote trump Read more

[@swampy1234]

Do they?

[@Bekssss]

because you watch very one-sided videos 🤣

[@RodebertX]

To be fair, people also wondered why you voted trump in the first place

[@zwergstein2152]

@@RodebertX and why so many (although not a majority) voted trump again

[@enzodimasi8248]

@@Bekssss what’s the other side to allowing corporations to dump pollution into waterways that people and animals rely on?

[@donalddominic5724]

Hope Joe Biden, his family or his staff sees this. And overturn the trump law

Who is here waiting for vox to make a video on the Capital storm.

[@creativename2683]

They blamed it on gamergate

[@TileBitan]

US spanish speakers speak a weird form of spanish. It's like going to a beach with lots of tourists

[@utr5485]

Why did the us ever pick trump

[@_tablearmy_]

Simple, his opponent was hillary clinton, and she had great ideas but forgot about one simple thing. To get the public attention. Oh and trump promised to make more jobs, by opening up coal and oil areas. And if u say that going clean could have created more. Ik.

[@nate-bc9zw]

Biden needs to hear about this and reverse the policy immediately!

[@kingfishyiii5338]

Hes not gonna do anything. And the next president isn’t gonna do anything

[@danniedamour4397]

It’s sad that protection of water is even needed and we as humans wouldn’t care enough to just take care of it. Sadder is taking away the protection that is in place to stop humans from destroying water ways. Where are we ?

[@Vaprous]

Humans generally aren't destroying water ways. Rich companies that save a lot of money dumping waste in rivers are destroying water ways. We need to learn that, as a species, we are generally fairly well behaved; but have a lot of bad apples that spoil the entire bunch promoting wars, polluting the planet, and encouraging wasteful consumerism(for their benefit).

[@danniedamour4397]

@@Vaprous and the companies are run by humans , and as intelligent humans we can do better than fairly well behaved. 👍🏻

[@Falco.]

Wait i thought he wanted to drain the swamp not pollute it

[@swithernbilla5558]

Last time i was this early The soviet union was still united

[@albinakemet]

Not early

[@thescotchirishman3373]

Pendleton Oregon (where I lived since birth) is directly impacted by legislation like this, the Umatilla river is the life line of the agriculture in our county and with the already poor economic state of these rural towns, they do not have the financial capacity to maintain adequate water conditions.

[@kappadarwin9476]

I hope Biden sends aid to Rural towns.

[@unoboiifromyt9772]

So no ones gonna talk about her name 0:29

[@furanrabbits]

It’s going to be weird for people rewatching these recent videos in 5 or 10 years..since everyone’s wearing masks!

[@DefnitelyNotFred]

The US is just a developing nation with a shiny coat of paint

[@josepho3366]

Doesn’t this “developing nation” also have the highest GDP in the world at 20 trillion?

[@made13145]

@@josepho3366 I don't know how right I am, but quick google search the data that said 20 trillion is from 2017. I mean, today's is 2021 so safe to say that data is invalid.. If there's one that came from say 2020 or even 2019 that say that US have the highest GDP, I would like to see it.

[@josepho3366]

@@made13145 the 2020 estimate says that the GDP is at 20.8 trillion so.

[@ND-qj2xh]

@@made13145 it does have the highest gdp, it’s just a majority of that is concentrated within the top 10%

[@radha94]

please make a video about.Does competition in health care system work ? Do hospital lower there price by competition ? Do regulation make health care system bankrupt ?do it effect the innovation if govt interfere?Please make a video on that topic. Free market vs regulated market

[@MrTorsvik]

is there a reason local government can't handle this kind of thing better than the federal? I'm not a U.S. citizen so might be something I'm not getting

[@alankarjoey258]

MR. pRESIDENT HOW MUCH DO YOU WANT TO RUIN the UNITED STATES? TRUMP- yes........................................................................................................

[@radha94]

Could you please make a video about Why is American colleges so expensive ,and how to make it affordable. It would be a good topic

[@darealist690]

Because the owners want money and their is no limit. I'm guessing

[@yassineszn17]

It will never be affordable

[@georgepatrick4339]

Because they’ve got to pay people like me to go and play sports for them 👍

[@darealist690]

@@georgepatrick4339 I thought student athletes didn't get paid.

[@mateojames3231]

Colleges were sorta affordable because certain states payed via taxes to public universities. Both State IV Leagues and State colleges were until big brain leaders found out they could make a profit from books, housing, and most of your average school necessities. If you want affordable schools, tell your states to increase taxes or rich philanthropies to donate more money(which you’ll never get unless you have a good High School GPA/resume and or will never happen because nobody likes taxes).

[@contestant2964]

Wow, I didn't know 45 people could be first. You learn something knew every day.

[@mlgmaster6053]

Including the fact that the antonym to "old" is "new"

[@ryanbcushman3504]

“Rio Grand” come on its grandE

[@luyandamlambo5803]

I live in Africa and online ppl make fun of me and say I dont have water but this is what's going on in America

[@CesarMartinez-ck1mj]

This year i want to see more about climate change VOX and different ways we can all start getting involve to save the planet

[@M___X_]

the fact that keeping waterways clean is political and open for debate really lowers my faith in humanity.

[@andreaswihardi7255]

Only when they run out of it will they know its true value

[@misdrevenous]

What. It's even a choice what water bodies can get protected and not? America is weird.

[@giordanobruno1333]

“When we see the land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect” Aldo Leopold.

[@zmaud4114]

said the native americans

[@iainronald4217]

Speaking of protecting waters, hopefully, undeterred by shakedowns Biden and Harris will also switch Flint back to Lake Michigan.

[@cjhenderson690]

I'm sorry? Back to Lake Michigan? I take you are not a Michigander so let me explain some geography. (I'm trying to word this as polite as possible, sorry for my slight irritation) In Michgan, we border four lovely Great Lakes. Flint is near the opposite side of the mitten from Lake Michigan. The town originally got water from Detroit (Detroit River + Lake Huron) before officals wanted to save money and switched to the Flint River. They failed to treat the water properly and it caused lead to leach from old pipes into the water supply. That's where you get your problems. It's much more complicated than switching water sources, it's much more of a failure of politicians in Flint. Additionally, the federal government does not have the authority to intervene in municipal water system. It's a state matter. Let's just hope something gets done.

[@iainronald4217]

@@cjhenderson690 You're right, I'm from Saskatchewan. The story I heard is that a bunch of wealthy businessmen decided they needed to build a secondary, completely unnecessary pipe leading to the lake and while that was under construction they'd switch to the Flint River. Then, time went on they ran out of cash and the project fell apart or only got half way or something, and they still refused to switch the water back to the original pipe. Thanks for clearing it up. I really hope they stop using the Flint River ASAP.

[@cjhenderson690]

@@iainronald4217 Yeah, I think the story goes something like that. But, I agree. This stuff has been at a political standstill since 2016. It's just a shame, really. For the Great Lakes State, you'd think we would know how to deal with our water.

[@MarichkaPetrivna]

Thank you, Vox for talking about this issues. That's a shame that Trump's administration trying to destroy the most important we have - resources.

[@g73738]

0:28 I- her and the cities name hahahahahahahh I'm so immature

[@jepbarhalmyradov9135]

I see you're man of culture

[@creamymarshmxllow2830]

“Water is life” Trump: Pretty sure it isn’t

[@andrei-mariusjiman6645]

Could you also make a video that is focused on the Clean Air Act? It will be very interesting.

[@BooWorld-h9h]

Do an episode on the storming of the capital

[@salihabeevi4354]

Yeah..what a wonderful sight!🤫

[@laramka2940]

It's so funny that the richest country in the world has these basic developing country problems. Shows how much they care about their people

[@zericle1]

The rich in the US basically run the country and don't want a smart and educated American populace giving them any trouble.

[@X2LR8]

We have some of the most pristine waterways and cleanest water on the face of the earth!

[@josepho3366]

@@zericle1 oh that explains why the education system is so bad.

[@buntafujiwara7698]

@@X2LR8 intelligence 100

[@jareda.1353]

The U.S has some of the safest drinking water in the world. Just because other countries have nearly no transparency doesn't mean they're doing it right. The U.S generally has lower lead levels and fewer cases of water based lead poisoning. The U.S also has problematic waterways and bodies of water, but for the most part, they are safe to drink from with minimal treatment.

[@pota2531]

Waiting for the dc video

[@hello-w8y]

lowkey obama is one of the best presidents.

[@ayushtiwari2975]

Any international disputes exist US we are there....when own people say about clean water US 'we'll see to it' :-)

[@julians7268]

Shouldn't state resources be the state's responsibility though? I am not against federal protection for all waterways, but why can't the state protect its waters?

[@ntphan]

Maybe these areas are on federal land. The western states have vast areas of federal lands where states technically don't have jurisdiction.

[@julians7268]

@@ntphan Very good point. I live on the east coast and it's easy to forget that fact. Not sure if that's the case here, but it could be.

[@austinobst8989]

corporatism at its best

[@aryanreddy7379]

How is this country a World's No 1 Economy?. The more I learn about America the less i feel like going there. For Indians like me growing up as a kid, it was a dream to go to USA because we believed its the land of opportunities and represents success if we make it there. Now i realize it became a No 1 economy by exploiting its own people. Thank you vox for enlightening millions with the real news.

[@melissacortez6551]

And I can’t believe half of the country voted for trump. 🤦🏻‍♀️

[@wrenisprobablyb0red]

Yeah, or Biden! C'mon, how come we didn't vote for Jorgensen?

[@golden1_1dragon12]

@@wrenisprobablyb0red or Kanye west

[@jonpaypompee3406]

lake of the Woods here, glad its not connected to any major water ways, Northwest Ontario, north of Thunder Bay I read that US Army Corps of engineers blasted rock and diverted water south, illegally

[@abolost3947]

0:32 Call me immature, but there's no way they didn't do that on purpose

[@knovives]

Hey Vox. You should see the case of Chile. The only country in the world with a privatized water system. Our minister of agriculture own enough water to supply some of the dryest towns here. Ridiculous. I hope the US never get to this extreme.

[@dkracingfan2503]

Joe Biden will help us all

[@Red-Eas]

Unless the dumped chemicals are regulated by the government, the government can't lift a finger. And regulation in this context means that factories should and have a legal obligation to report the use of any chemicals used in the process of manufacturing things. Unfortunately, factories have the liberty and money to finance the research and invention of new chemicals to make profits off of and add to their production lines, and the government will rely on them to declare the new chemicals. Now, imagine if those factories decided to keep the government in the dark and keep that information for themselves, they can dump whatever they want and not lose sleep over it. There are tons of plant waste dumped in the water while everyone is watching. PFOA in West Virginia and, related to this video, lead in Flint.

[@chinmoydev3979]

Not First

[@biouyb5828]

That's okay. Neither am I.

[@snowstrobe]

Governance needs to be taken out of federal hands. New communities designed around natural freshwater networks need to be established with higher authority, elsewise this is just going to keep happening as the broken national electoral system keeps yo-yoing back and forth. When you bring politics down to the local level and make it participatory, then everyone left and right gets on the same page more often.

[@StormyDaze]

So in conclusion this is why trump got dominated in New Mexico

[@goldbristow7239]

If Americans Love their country, they should start acting like it, and protect our natural resources. There is nothing more patriotic than protecting the natural beauty and health of America.

[@preposterouspademelon2135]

Can the states not make their own regulations preventing pollution? What prevents them from having the authority to prosecute offenders?