Editorial: Mother Nature lashes back

Northern Taiwan is facing a water shortage. If it does not rain soon, the cities and counties of Taipei, Taoyuan and Hsinchu may start rationing in a week or two. People again will have to start saving water in bathtubs and buckets. This year's water shortage has become apparent sooner than it did last year. Water levels in the Feitsui Reservoir in Taipei County have not been this low this early for a stunning 15 years. Meanwhile, water levels in the Shihmen Dam in Taoyuan have also reached "seriously low" levels.

Not only should preparations be made in the likely event that the drought turns out to be more serious than last year's, but also mid- and long-term water management policy has become crucial for the nation.

Fortunately, a drought warning has been issued soon enough to give us plenty of time to take action to prevent potential drought-related losses. The government has ample time to decide whether to restrict water for agricultural use before farmers start planting rice in the spring. Officials should promptly allocate how much water is to be earmarked for agricultural use and how much for industrial use to avoid farmer's protests like those of last year. Local governments should come up with water-rationing measures for residential use so that they will be ready as soon as there is call for them.

All measures should be carried out fairly and rationally in accordance with the principals of economy. Therefore, the water supply to fire departments and local hospitals should be last to be rationed.

It is ironic that a country that is completely surrounded by the ocean has suffered from water shortages. But the government can't let the irony of the situation distract it: Water resource management has become increasingly important as the rapid growth of industry, population and urbanization has severely strained the supply. Rampant destruction of mountain slopes has eroded soil in water catchment areas, a problem exacerbated by the fast-flowing, short rivers that make collection difficult.

For ecological reasons, there has been opposition to constructing more reservoirs. The government should place the nation's mid- and long-term water needs into perspective and persuade the public to accept measures for building new reservoirs and irrigation canals. The plan should include an allocation system that makes it easier to redirect water islandwide.

The abnormal climatic situation in recent years is in part due to natural cycles, but more important is the unhealthy interaction between humans and Mother Nature. The release of chlorofluorocarbons has led to the chemical reaction breaking down the ozone layer. Humans have punched holes in the very roof over their own heads, but it's not more rain that comes through. It's more of the damaging ultraviolet rays from the sun.

Rising awareness has made every country emphasize sustainable-yet-competitive economies. It is regrettable that while this country ranks 21st on the World Economic Forum's competitiveness index, it ranks only 119th on the sustainability index. This highlights the fact that this country spends too much of its resources on development, and not enough resources on environmental protection.

The government has proclaimed this year that sustainability is a main policy focus, but sitting on the dam at the drying Feitsui reservoir, one can hardly agree that Ilha Formosa has kept to the meaning of its name.