"Wisdom begins in wonder" – Socrates
Category: Policy
Why Adjacent Riparian Water Right-Holders Have Co-equal Rights
11/16/22
“Why do adjacent riparian right-holders have co-equal rights?”
Riparian rights allow owners of land adjacent to water to use the resource as they wish (within reasonable limits). But what happens if multiple properties intersect the same body of water? It turns out they would have equal rights since they both have adjacent land! This is Why Adjacent Riparian Water Right-Holders Have Co-equal Rights.
Appropriative Water Rights
11/15/22
“What is the driving force behind most water rights in the Western U.S?”
Water is much more scarce in the Western U.S than in the East. Many times water has to be taken from a source to be applied somewhere far away. This leads to conflict about who gets to divert the water and when. Before 1914, all one had to do was physically divert the water to use it! To regulate this, the U.S has established the concept of Appropriative Water Rights. Here, a potential water diverter has to apply to a state water resource control board to divert the water. The application must include where the water will be used, the time length of diversion, what purpose the water is being used for, and the type and point of diversion. People with older riparian rights trump those with newer ones.
Riparian Water Rights
11/14/22
“What is the most common form of water rights in the Eastern U.S?”
The right to use water is always a vexing legal question. In the Eastern United States, the most common approach is Riparian Water Rights. If a landowner holds property adjacent to a body of water, then they are allowed to make reasonable use of it. The right to this water cannot be transferred independently of the land. The rights travel with the land when it is bought and sold.
Showing People in the Global North That a Lower-Carbon Lifestyle May Be a Better Choice
11/13/22
“How can convincing people in the global north that a lower carbon lifestyle is more fulfilling benefit the world?”
Many people in the global north believe that a lower-carbon lifestyle is inherently a worse one. However, many choices that provide benefits such as using public transportation, eating healthier, and watching less television actually lead to a more fulfilling life. If more people in the Global North are convinced of this, then the world’s carbon levels will go down. This is why Showing People in the Global North That a Lower-Carbon Lifestyle May Be a Better Choice.
Why Investing in Mental Health Can Help Prevent Domestic Violence
11/12/22
“Why can investing in mental health help prevent domestic violence?”
A sizable portion of domestic violence occurs because mental health is not properly addressed. One way to prevent more of this is to invest in mental health issues so people can solve their problems and not take it out on others. This is Why Investing in Mental Health Can Help Prevent Domestic Violence.
Why a Global Tax on the Wealthy Could Be Used to Fight Climate Change
11/10/22
“Why could a global tax on the wealthy be used to fight climate change?”
Wealthy people often put their money in tax havens to avoid helping the rest of society. However, if all of the nations impose a global tax on them, then their money could be redistributed to fight climate change. This would be a masterclass of international cooperation showing Why a Global Tax on the Wealthy Could Be Used to Fight Climate Change.
Why Daylight Savings Time Changes Can Cause Headaches
11/09/22
“Why can daylight savings time changes cause headaches?”
Daylight savings time changes lead to an abrupt shift in the day’s flow. This can cause an effect similar to jetlag in many people. One of the side effects of this is the onset of headaches. This is Why Daylight Savings Time Changes Can Cause Headaches.
Climate Variation Within Cities
11/06/22
“How can climate vary within a city?”
People often think of cities as having a uniform climate. However, some cities are so large or have geographic features that lead to variations of climate within themselves. One example is San Francisco California, where its proximity to the ocean and dozens of hills lead to multiple microclimates throughout the town.
Vehicle Fleets to Evacuate Climate Refugees
11/05/22
“How can we use vehicle fleets to evacuate climate refugees?”
Climate disasters may force massive numbers of refugees to evacuate a given area. However, if they don’t have adequate transport many can become stranded. Because of this, it is important for governments and organizations to develop Vehicle Fleets to Evacuate Climate Refugees. This can come in the form of buses, helicopters, boats, and many others.
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