Letters: Water solution won’t wait

Re “The shrinking Colorado,” Opinion, Aug. 19

The article mentioned that by 2015, the water level in Lake Mead could dip below the intake pipe that delivers water to Las Vegas, and that Las Vegas is racing to construct a deeper intake pipe by the end of 2014.

Meanwhile, Las Vegas hotels and golf courses are much too extravagant with their use of surface water for both artistic displays and recreational activities.

Las Vegas’ solution to the problem — lowering the intake pipe — reminds me of the man who saw a red light come on on his dashboard and, rather than deal with the automotive problem, removed the wire attached to the red light.

Daniel Diamond
Santa Barbara

The opinion piece is an excellent evaluation of our serious and growing water shortage. And it’s far more widespread than some realize.

May I suggest The Times begin a series of suggestions on how to cope. Or maybe the era of green around homes is coming to an end.

Dick Ettington
Palos Verdes

Craig Mackey states that by 2015, diminished Colorado River flow may reduce the power and water supply of millions. Scientists say that long-term droughts, along with stronger storms and fires, are caused by climate change and that this is only the beginning.

Responding with the Band-Aid strategy of federal disaster relief — costing billions for each event — is the new normal. Addressing the root of the problem — reducing greenhouse gases — remains off the table by congressional Republicans, who continue to deny the science of climate change and laugh it off as a liberal, freedom-controlling plot.

To those suffering the mounting human cost of fires, droughts and storms, such fantastic and paranoid plots are quickly losing much relevance.

Wendy Blais
North Hills

More letters to the editor ...