Topic: Water Resources

Climate models predict significant sea level rise for California, threatening the freshwater Delta region with saltwater intrusion. The state is considering the controversial Delta Conveyance Project, a 40-mile tunnel system designed to protect the water supply for 27 million residents.

The World Resources Institute reports that 17 countries, including India and Iran, are facing "extremely high water stress." The data suggests that a quarter of the world's population is at risk of running out of water. The report links these shortages to "global heating" and warns of future food insecurity and migration crises.

President Obama signs the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRDA) of 2014, which includes provisions for public-private partnerships in water management. Critics worry this legislation paves the way for the privatization of municipal water supplies by large corporations, including French conglomerates. The hosts compare the potential fallout to the California energy crisis and Enron-era scams.

The efficiency of Japanese resource management is illustrated through observations of small serving sizes and innovative plumbing. Curry describes a specific toilet tank design that features a sink on top, allowing users to wash their hands with the refill water after flushing. This integrated system is praised as a logical method for water conservation and promoting hygiene in small living spaces.

Dutch politician Bert Vosink has proposed a new environmental directive for the citizens of the lowlands to save two billion liters of water annually. The initiative suggests that people should urinate while showering to reduce toilet flushes. The hosts mock the proposal, questioning whether most people already perform this action and discussing the social taboos surrounding it in Holland.