Florida’s aquifers are drying up from overdevelopment
Florida's aquifers are drying up from overdevelopment Ocala News
sdgtalks
To the Editor:
In some parts of Florida, the aquifers are drying up from overdevelopment and the building of new developments at a breakneck pace. All the new developments are huge users of water for irrigation, new sod, bushes, shrubbery, landscaping, golf courses, car washes, and everything else that requires huge amounts of water.
If the aquifers keep being abused in Florida, one day, the cheap, fresh spring water will not be here and very expensive means of getting fresh water will have to be used.
It’s kind of like the analogy that if you stick a pin into a gallon of water, it’ll look like it’s not going down at all, and one day, you look at the container and it’s empty, just like the aquifers.
Groundwater Depletion and its Impact on Aquifers
All the development keeps rainwater from seeping back into the ground naturally. All the roof lines, parking lots, driveways, sidewalks, and roads block the water from seeping back into the ground and back into the aquifers. The aquifers can’t be abused forever, because one day the price will have to be paid.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
- Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
- Goal 13: Climate Action
- Goal 15: Life on Land
Barbara Smith
Dunnellon
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
The article discusses the issue of overdevelopment in Florida leading to the drying up of aquifers, which is directly related to the availability of clean water (SDG 6). It also mentions the impact of development on the natural water cycle, including the seepage of rainwater into the ground, which is relevant to creating sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11).
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 6.4: By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity.
- SDG 11.3: By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated, and sustainable human settlement planning and management in all countries.
The article highlights the unsustainable use of water for various purposes due to overdevelopment. This relates to the target of increasing water-use efficiency and ensuring sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater (SDG 6.4). Additionally, it mentions the negative impact of development on the natural water cycle, which is connected to the target of enhancing sustainable urbanization and integrated human settlement planning (SDG 11.3).
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
Yes, the following indicators can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:
- Indicator 6.4.1: Change in water-use efficiency over time
- Indicator 11.3.1: Ratio of land consumption rate to population growth rate
The article discusses the excessive use of water for various purposes, indicating the need to measure changes in water-use efficiency over time (Indicator 6.4.1). It also mentions the impact of development on land consumption, which can be measured by comparing the rate of land consumption to the population growth rate (Indicator 11.3.1).
4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation | 6.4: By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity. | 6.4.1: Change in water-use efficiency over time |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | 11.3: By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated, and sustainable human settlement planning and management in all countries. | 11.3.1: Ratio of land consumption rate to population growth rate |
The table summarizes the relevant SDGs, targets, and indicators identified in the article. It provides a clear overview of how the issues discussed align with specific sustainable development goals and the corresponding targets and indicators.
Copyright: Dive into this article, curated with care by SDG Investors Inc. Our advanced AI technology searches through vast amounts of data to spotlight how we are all moving forward with the Sustainable Development Goals. While we own the rights to this content, we invite you to share it to help spread knowledge and spark action on the SDGs.
Fuente: ocala-news.com
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