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There are studies worldwide on droughts and their causes. Living in Colorado I have seen the effects of drought on our area. I have also seen the solutions that are so simple that government scientists scoff at them, because they are so simple.

Will the great rivers die? I think it is possible if people don't look at the environment where the rivers start, as well as along their routes to the sea. There are also conservation methods that could make a difference in the amount of fresh water available for people, crops, and wildlife.

I did some research on the Internet on the relation between trees and rain. One site cited the changes in Spain after they cut down all the oak forests to build ships in their efforts to acquire riches from the Americas. Once they had great forests of oaks, and other trees, and plentiful rain. After the trees were cut, primarily for building ships they suffered a drought that lasted many years. Many other places have suffered similar fates, until people started seeing that trees, particularly deciduous, or broad leaf trees.

The great rivers of our world begin in mountains, as small streams fed by snow melt and rainfall. Winding their way down the slopes they gather water from other creeks and streams, growing ever larger on their journey to the sea. As they trickle, babble, and then run their courses, they travel through increasingly populated areas. In these more populous areas people tend to cut down the trees, making room for homes, farms, towns, and cities. This begins many of the problems of fresh water.

In South America we see, and hear about, vast areas of rain forest being clear-cut to make room for fields, without regard to the fact that rain forest soils are very poor for growing crops. The farmers get one or two crops, then go out and cut down, or burn, more trees for more cropland, because the land they originally cleared won't grow anything anymore. Instead of learning how to replenish the land they are setting themselves, and the rest of us, up for droughts and disasters.

Speaking from the standpoint of where I live, I look at the U.S. and see people east of the Mississippi complaining about flooding and severe thunderstorms. At the same time, west of the Mississippi I see little rain, even drought conditions.

Now take a look at the eastern states and compare them to the western states. What do you see that one area has so much more of than the other. The answer is trees, lots of them. Western states could make things

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