??Water Panel

Desertification and declining access to potable water are central features of global warming and the worldwide environmental crisis. By 2030, a 40% global shortfall in a stable supply of good-quality fresh water is expected. The situation in San Miguel and the state of Guanajuato is even more pressing.

On Tuesday we will screen “Flow: For the Love of Water,” Irena Salina's award-winning investigation into the world water crisis. Nearly two million people die each year from water-borne diseases worldwide. The root causes of this crisis range from pesticide and chemical runoff, to not having access to clean water. As of 2008, 70% of the world’s water was used for agricultural needs. With industrial agricultural comes heavy pesticide and chemical use. These chemicals flow into the river systems and alter ecosystems. Salina builds a case against the growing privatization of the world's dwindling fresh water supply. In 2008, the U.N. estimated that it would require funds of $30 billion a year to provide clean, accessible, drinking water to the entire planet while in the previous year, the world spent $90 billion on bottled water

Here in the state of Guanajuato, surface water is being depleted from overuse and deep groundwater is being pumped to the surface. This deep groundwater is more than 10,000 years old and has been in contact with subsurface volcanic rock which has increased its concentration of fluoride, arsenic and sodium to unacceptable levels. This water is already being consumed in several communities of San Miguel, Dolores Hidalgo and San Diego de la Union. Its use is spreading and is seriously affecting the health of the population. On Wednesday, Cesar Arias of the Charco del Ingenio, Atahualpa Caldera Sosa of GAIA, Grupo de Acción Interdisciplinaria Ambiental, along with others TBA, will discuss this situation and the struggles to find solutions.

When
Aug 10th, 2016 11:00 am
Location
Sala Quetzal
La Biblioteca Publica, Rejoj 50A, Centro
San Miguel de Allende, GUA 37700
Mexico
Events
Blurb Talk
Co-sponsor
Speakers Cesar Arias & Atahualpa Caldera Sosa
Fee 60 Pesos

Upcoming Events

Monday, September 22, 2025 - 1:30pm
CST
Rebecca Grant
Location:
La Biblioteca, Sala Quezal, Insurgentes 25, Centro, San Miguel de Allende

Award-winning author Rebecca Grant discusses her latest book--Access, Inside the Abortion Underground and the Sixty-Year Battle for Reproductive Freedom. Access charts the reproductive freedom movement... Read more

Monday, September 29, 2025 - 1:30pm
CST
Lee Ragsdale and Erick Nava Palomino
Location:
La Biblioteca, Sala Quezal, Insurgentes 25, Centro, San Miguel de Allende

As the partner of a formerly incarcerated and deported person, Lee Ragsdale has personal experience with the effects of incarceration and deportation on families. Lee and her husband Erick will join us to talk about deportation and reintegration in Mexico, offering a snapshot of current immigration/deportation... Read more

Monday, October 13, 2025 - 1:30pm
CST
Film Screening
Followed by discussion with Brad Rockwell
Location:
La Biblioteca, Sala Quezal, Insurgentes 25, Centro, San Miguel de Allende

2025 Academy Award Nominee for Best Documentary

Remarkable largely unknown footage of a dramatic turning point in world history covering events over three continents concerning a tragic coup in the Congo. Featuring: Maya Angelou, Louis Armstrong, Dizzy... Read more