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Jordan Mayhew

October 28th, 2014


LBST 2102-P91
Extra Credit-Review/Reflection of Blue Gold: World Water Wars
Blue Gold: World Water Wars is a film based off the book Blue Gold: The Fight to Stop
the Corporate Theft of the Worlds Water by Maude Barlow and Tony Clarke. The two coauthors are featured throughout the film several times, through interview, breaking down into
further detail the topics challenged in the film. This movie aims to educate its viewers about the
water shortage our world is facing. The film breaks this down by providing insight on the current
state of our water shortage. They then move on to how we are causing this shortage, as well as
the effects its having on our Earth. Following the break down, Blue Gold provides insight on
water privatization and why it isnt helping anyone, but the transnational companies actually
purchasing the water. Water wars is defined and exemplified, before concluding the film with
recommendations and possible solutions to our water shortage.
This film did an excellent job of providing a complete breakdown of what our worlds
current water situation actually is. The director, Sam Bozzo, touched on every aspect of the
situation and made sure to provide evidence. I liked that Bozzo included interviews of people
from both sides of the war; from water protection activist to those actually in charge of
coordinating water trade. He successfully used several of the same interviewees throughout the
film to add a cohesive storyline. I was impressed with the amount of economic backing provided
in the film. I had no idea of the economic impact surrounded around water. In one of the first few
minutes of the film, a sentence is read as follows; This is not a film about saving the planet.
This is a film about saving ourselves (Blue Gold, 2009). I felt as though this statement was
written to touch the souls of most Americans today. It was written to awaken something inside of
us that has probably never breathed. Most Americans care about themselves, their immediate
families and loved ones. This water crisis hasnt affected our daily lives as of yet. However, the
above sentence from the film clicked with me, and caused me to look at the situation more
imminently.
There were several topics discussed throughout the film that surprised me, and may
allude to me living under a rock; however I am probably like most Americans around my age in
our illusive separation from world issues. Previous to watching Blue Gold, I was not aware of the
sink holes in Florida and Mexico City or that water now had several trade stocks. Being made
aware of Lawrence Summers involvement and support of basically robbing countries when
purchasing their cash crops, I must admit his statements arent shocking; considering his Wall
Street involvement. I also found the immanent water collapse predictions to be new knowledge.
With the UN titling water wars as religious wars, it makes perfect sense why the Chinese symbol
for water carries dual meaning for control. Most importantly, I was surprised to find out that our
worlds water resources are being controlled by transnational companies for profit.
These transnational companies are backed by the World Bank and World Trade
Organization. Blue Gold offers solutions to oppose and encourage minimizing the World Bank
and World Trade Organizations involvement in water security. The film proposed once again
enforcing tariffs in the trade market to help indebted countries repair their economies and
provide self-sustaining water security. The film also proposes the composition of an international
water plan forbidding privatization. Although promising ideas, it is unlikely that we will see

these plans implemented during our life time. The film did however suggest solutions that are
very obtainable, especially if national laws are passed encouraging these acts. Project Blue
Alternative, led by Michal Kravcik of Slovakia, digs man made streams, ponds & other
reservoirs that contain rain and run off water, allowing it to return back into the ground in its
natural cycle. Disney has already started to implement a drop or trickle irrigation system that
recycles water, provides its own power, and eliminates waste. If Americans would stop
importing so many agricultural products and start eating crops that our regions could support,
using similar irrigation systems, we could save hundreds of thousands of gallons of water a day.
New technologies are also aiding in water conservation. For instance, building micro turbines to
produce natural energy in lieu of dams eliminates the threat of soil erosion and aides in essential
nutrients being carried downstream. New permeable pavements wouldnt just aid in water
security, but would be a very easy way for cities and towns across the United States to start their
transformations. These pavements allow rain water and runoff to penetrate back into the ground
after filtering through the pavement layers, thus saving the water from making it to the ocean.
All of the above solutions could help our Earth once again sustain our lives, but if we
continue our careless ways, American impact from the water crisis is quickly closing in. Its
necessary to start looking at our own water usage. For example, using the Grace Links Water
Footprint Calculator, I determined my individual water usage averaging 1,104 gallons per day,
with my household total doubling that. These numbers are average for most Americans, but in
my opinion way too high! By installing low flow shower heads, toilets, and faucets I could
reduce my water consumption by hundreds of gallons per day. By cutting my showers from 1520 minutes down to 10, I could save another 100 gallons. With meat and dairy products leading
the agricultural water usage, cutting back on how frequently I eat these products, several
hundreds of thousands of gallons of water could be saved. My household is most guilty of
bottled water consumption. We are contributing to the bottled water industry demands and
increasing the support for water privatization, which we do not want! Immediately, I plan to
reduce my water bottle consumption, with hopes to completely eliminate it. By taking small
steps and encouraging one another, we may continue to enjoy blue gold.

Works Cited
Blue Gold: World Water Wars [Motion picture]. (2009). United States: Distributed by PBS
Home Video.

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