In my trilogy, “The Chosen One of Allivar” there is a character named Murlach of the Dayanaran race. He is a scientist, engineer and military officer. My inspiration for Murlach comes from the genius that was Leonardo Da Vinci. He is constantly thinking on how to improve the world of Allivar. He also has been given the task to create, within six months, weapons that will help the followers of Arimar survive a 40 day test while being sieged upon by the forces of the darkness. These weapons must kill as many warriors as possible. Murlach represents, to some degree, the extent of how I think. How can we improve upon our world? I’ve mentioned I am a member of Toastmaster’s International. I have studied hydrogen for years and formulated my own plan to help our country. Here is the text of that speech.
Water – more than meets the lips
What I hold before you now is water. I see more than water; I see opportunities. What do you see? In a moment you will begin to see there is more to water than what meets the lips.
Energy
In Oklahoma, we harness the power of the wind which is sometimes referred to as rivers and streams of air. Our ancestors were the greatest inventors. They knew that moving water could turn a water wheel to grind grain, but they also used it to pump bellows for blast furnaces and other needs. Today we have hydroelectric dams that provide energy to millions of homes and businesses. Yet, we do not harness the power of moving water in other parts of our country. Would modern day water wheels and turbines in rivers and streams be a part of our national energy solution?
Do you see the opportunities?
Water or H2O is comprised of two atoms of Hydrogen, the most abundant element on Earth and the Universe. Hydrogen cannot be found by itself; it is usually combined with some other element. Water is our most abundant resource on the planet. The Apollo program utilized Hydrogen fuel cell technology in the 1960’s and was originally discovered in 1838. Simply put as hydrogen passes through a membrane the interaction with Oxygen on one side and Hydrogen on the other creates an electro-chemical reaction. When Hydrogen and Oxygen recombine we have water vapor, a clean and renewable source.
Hydrogen fuel cell automobiles actually exist. Ask Jamie Lee Curtis how she loves her Honda FCX. We have some cost constraints and infrastructure issues to resolve, but the world’s top automotive engineers see this as the future. We already have stationary fuel cells operating in the US. Countries and industries around the world are vying for the commercial success of this technology. Who will be the first to solve it?
Do you see the opportunities?
We can separate Hydrogen from water through a process called electrolysis. This requires an energy source of power such as nuclear, electrical, wind or even hydroelectric power from dams, rivers, pipes and even the tides. In England a company is developing a home based electrolyzer that will refuel your hydrogen automobile in your garage and power your home. (Search for ITM Power)
Do you see the opportunities?
Flood, Fire and Drought Management
You have seen the recent news – 200 to 750% above normal snow pack and record floods in the Ohio and Mississippi valleys. We incur billions in flood, fire, crop and drought losses each year. Do you think you are not paying for these losses in higher commodity prices? Where one area has excess supply, another area has demand. How do we go about managing this? Consider a national water grid.
We have an interstate freeway system. We have the power grid that manages and distributes electricity. We have the Alaska and US natural gas pipeline system. Yet we do not distribute and manage our fresh waters. Should we continue spending billions on losses, or billions on solutions? We need jobs and industries of the future.
Do you see the opportunities?
States that have excess could sell that excess to reserve points across the country building revenues for their state budgets, while other states could reduce subsidies for lack of water. It depends on our optimism and will to solve great tasks. Could this new source of state revenues ease tax burdens?
Do you see the opportunities?
Reserve Points
As I mentioned our ancestors were brilliant. In arid environments they captured water off of rock formations, plants and roofs into cisterns. Why do we not have rainwater and ice melt harvesting systems now? How difficult would it be to modify building codes to mandate this requirement as reserve point number one? Could we sell our supply at our home or business to the national water grid, possibly recouping our initial investment? Could we use our supply with a built-in air humidifier in the event of a prolonged drought and fire hazard? How much water could we save from evaporation? How much money could be saved from the damages of excessive water runoff?
Do you see the opportunities?
Have you noticed recent housing developments with small ponds and lakes? That should be reserve point number two. We should develop our communities with water reserve points in mind. Would this save the rapid depletion of our reservoirs, aquifers and the treated water supplies which are most vital reserve points and should be the last tapped into?
Do you see the opportunities?
As heavy rains and snow melt occur, start pumping water to waiting reserve points across the country. We can build channels and canals where gravity will deliver the water with no help from pumps. Also recall the concept of water wheels all along this grid where energy is being produced locally, enough to power the pumps, enough to power electrolyzers and develop the infrastructure needed for Hydrogen based economy. Could we end our dependence on foreign oil?
Do you see the opportunities?
Life
Where there is fresh water there is life. With the concern of rising Carbon Dioxide levels, or CO2, the chief culprit of greenhouse gases, Mother Nature has provided the solution. It is called photosynthesis. Through the reactions of H2O and CO2, O2 is released back into our skies from our plants and forests. Where reserve points provide water, new agriculture or CO2 absorbing plants farms can exist.
Do you see the opportunities?
CONCLUSION
Some say these concepts are impossible or ridiculous. I refer them to the Panama Canal, Manhattan, Interstate and Apollo programs. Scientists want to colonize Mars because they believe the Polar Regions have trapped water. I say we terra form our planet first and perfect the process. Where have our visionaries and optimists gone? Where has our desire to accomplish great tasks disappeared to? The Interstate freeway system is the single largest Earth moving project in human history and Americans accomplished it. If we want to remain the super power, we must show leadership and determination.
“The pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” Winston Churchill.
I am an eternal optimist. I see the opportunities. Now what do you see? Do you now see there is more to Water than what meets the lips? Thank you.
Murlach would be proud of me. Allivar means “The One Family”, the first world and paradise created by the Unseen and given to seven races of mortals to steward over. The fate of Allivar depends on the gathering of the seven races to fight off evil. The story is topical to our time on this blue ball. What will our races do?
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