In the interests of practical optimism, here are a few suggestions on coping with economic crisis, environmental stresses, and water shortages:

• Remember the big picture: your health, your family and friends, and all the other luxuries of life.
• The environment is still pretty amazing and beautiful — get out to enjoy a sunset, a swim or walk and appreciate that you have the freedom to enjoy that beauty.
• We are NOT running out of water. Although water policies may be “wrong” in this way or that, most of us are lucky enough to have wonderful water available at our taps, for very low prices. Drinking water will ALWAYS be affordable to people in developed countries, and people in developing countries can get good water for a few cents/day (via chlorine treatment).
• It may be difficult for businesses, farmers and fish to accept the current policy mess. All want the same thing (a much water as they got in some “perfect” past), but that past is no more. Get over that fact and prepare to adjust. (Also remember that it could be worse!)
• Take all these feelings into consideration when negotiating or contemplating the positions of those who want “your” water. They see you as the same kind of “problem” in the way of what they want. Ok, fine. Now accept that neither of you are right and negotiate a compromise — hopefully through markets.

Bottom Line: You can’t always get what you want, but you can enjoy what you get.