This editorial asks why farmers in centuries passed could plan ahead for Botswana's rainy season, but rains cause chaos for the country as administrators can't seem to plan an effective infrastructure system to handle the downpour.
The October-through-April rainy season in Botswana is historically problematic. Flooding is inevitable as the country's infrastructure fails to handle the water load. In this editorial piece, the author asks why even ancient farmers could plan their plowing ahead of time to avoid catastrophic flooding on their farmland but the country's administrators can't plan far enough ahead to avoid the flooding from a perennial rainy season.
"We know very well of the chaos that come with the rainy season. Year in, year out, we are faced with similar problems of blocked floodwater drainage systems. And embarrassingly the city engineers and others charged with the responsibility will sheepishly repeat the same excuses that the systems were designed to handle lesser capacity or that rubbish is being thrown in culverts."
"We have been hearing that for years. What we now want to hear is how those in authority have planned to address these recurring problems."
FULL STORY: Botswana: Will Our Planning Ever Be Precise?
Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing
Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?
Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?
Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?
Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.
Updating LA’s Tree Rules Could Bring More Shade to Underserved Neighborhoods
A new USC study finds that relaxing Los Angeles’ outdated tree planting guidelines could significantly expand urban tree canopy and reduce shade disparities in lower-income neighborhoods, though infrastructure investments are also needed.
California's Canal Solar Projects Aim to Conserve Resources and Expand Clean Energy
California’s Project Nexus has begun generating electricity from solar panels installed over irrigation canals, with researchers and state agencies exploring statewide expansion to conserve water and boost clean energy production.
HHS Staff Cuts Gut Energy Assistance Program
The full staff of a federal program that distributes heating and cooling assistance for low-income families was laid off, jeopardizing the program’s operations.
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