Living after Water: groundwater and Human beings
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Water resources are one of the most precious natural resources on the earth.
It determines the distribution and living conditions of all kinds of life on the earth.
"living after water" is the instinct of almost all living things to survive and reproduce.
As a special traveler in the evolutionary journey of life
Human beings consume the limited freshwater resources on the earth in different forms.
From primitive civilization to agricultural civilization and then to industrial civilization
The history of human development
It is an epic in which human beings chase and try to control water.
In one magnificent chapter after another in which mankind keeps moving forward.
"living after water" is also constantly given new meaning.
Mysterious groundwater
Whether it's streams, rivers, lakes and oceans.
Generally speaking, the water that people can see is visible and palpable.
And there's only one kind of water.
It's under your feet all the time.
But never be perceived.
Although maybe a lot of people use it every day.
But I can't figure it out all the time.
Although it affects human life in many ways
But few people notice.
it,
Is the mysterious groundwater!
Groundwater has strong concealment.
Except for an occasional glance at a clear spring or a well.
People seldom find it.
More often
Groundwater flows silently in the ground.
Black Tiger Spring
The initial living by water
Animal skull remains
Living on water is the most basic way of life on this planet.
Especially for a large number of terrestrial organisms
The instinct and ability of "living after water"
It is almost the most important condition for the existence and development of the population.
A primitive man who hunted and picked fruit instinctively.
Use animal skulls to hold water
Their need for water
Or just stay in pursuit of rivers or lakes.
However, great civilizations are always closely connected with rivers.
Nile River
The ancient Babylonian civilization originated in the Euphrates and Tigris river basins.
Ancient Indian civilization originated from the Indus and Ganges rivers.
Ancient Egyptian civilization originated from the Nile
Chinese civilization with a history of 5000 years originated from the Yellow River and the Yangtze River.
Yangtze River
From the day that man lived after the water and accompanied by the river
The integration of nomadic culture and advanced agricultural civilization
Enhanced human production capacity.
As a result, human society has accelerated the pace of development.
The ancient people who seek.
The ancestors of mankind
In the beginning, the use of water
Maybe as primitive and natural as other land animals.
Rain Water in the sky and moody water in the river
For a long time, I was afraid to avoid it.
Less, it is more likely to bring disaster.
Therefore, for water, primitive people should be both love and hate, often with worship and fear.
Neolithic Age
There is already a physical representation of the aesthetic appreciation and worship of water.
Painted pottery unearthed in Lintao County, Gansu Province
Painted pottery unearthed in Lintao County, Gansu Province
The can body is painted in black color with 4 whirlpool patterns and 8 small whirlpool patterns.
There is also a thick circle of water ripples painted below.
All the decorations of the painted pottery pot
It is a typical pattern with aesthetic consciousness to express human water worship at that time.
Dig a well and drink
When the level of civilization has been improved
The dependence of human survival began to shift from hunting to planting.
Settled villages dominated by agriculture have gradually replaced the semi-nomadic way of life that depends on heaven for food.
Water becomes more and more important.
And when Rain Water and the river do not seem to be completely reliable.
Groundwater may be a good choice.
The ancients gradually enriched their theories in searching for groundwater and digging wells.
According to the topography of farmland, the buried depth of groundwater and the corresponding drought resistance, Guanzi Horse divides the types of farmland.
In the complete Book of Agricultural Administration, Xu Guangqi in the Ming Dynasty put forward five methods of sinking wells and scientifically summarized the theory of finding water.
There are also many stories about the ancients looking for groundwater.
For example, "Boyi works as a well".
"Huainan Zi Ben Xun" cloud: "Boyi makes a well, while Longdeng Xuanyun, God lives in Kunlun."
This means that the inventor of well sinking technology is Boyi, the assistant of the Yellow Emperor.
However, according to the archaeological achievements of the cultural relics of the late Neolithic Age, two water wells have been found at the Jiangou site in Handan, Hebei Province, and an ancient water well has been found at the Baiying site in Tangyin, Henan Province, indicating that the residents of this period have mastered the technology of well sinking. and its age is equal to or slightly earlier than that of Boyi (5000 ~ 4000 years ago). Therefore, perhaps it is more appropriate to say that Boyi has further improved the sinking technology of its predecessors.
A record of well sinking equipment
There is a description of "digging wells for nine dynasties (eight feet for the dynasty) but inferior to the spring" in Mencius's devotion to the heart.
A small chisel at that time was shown in the well opening diagram in "Tiangong Kaiwu for salty articles".
According to the Book of Shiji River Canal, at the time of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, more than 10,000 people crossed the canal and recruited Luoshui to the foot of Shangyan Mountain. The bank is good at collapse, but it is digging a well, which is more than forty feet deep. Often for the well, the underground water is connected to each other. More than ten miles from the east to the mountains.
Among the Han Dynasty portrait bricks unearthed from the Han Tomb in Xizishan, Chengdu, there is a picture of the exploitation of the salt well at that time.
Various signs show that there has been a certain degree of machinery and equipment for shaft sinking in the Han Dynasty.
Sichuan well salt mining
Since mastering the technology of well sinking
Human beings have really entered a stage that is not restricted by surface water.
Not only can you live far away from surface water sources.
Greatly expanded the scope of activities
And improve the hygienic conditions of diet.
So the life span is longer.
Human beings have the conditions for further evolution and development.
Modern people live in pursuit of water
Karez
Time has come to modern times.
A single well and karez are far from meeting people's needs.
Various modern means are used to exploit groundwater.
For example, pumping water through groundwater wells
The river can pass through the aquifer into the well.
Both purify the surface water
The amount of water from the water source has been increased.
The joint development of groundwater and surface water is realized.
Lanzhou City on the Yellow River
With the expansion of population and the development of industry and agriculture
The shortage of water resources is becoming more and more serious
People place more hopes on groundwater.
In many areas of our country, the exploitation of groundwater is an important measure of open source drought resistance.
In many of the original water shortage areas
Even arid deserts.
People can harvest a lot of water resources.
A dry river
But,
When the laughter of victory has not disappeared in the air
But the smile has frozen on the face:
All kinds of geological disasters caused by overexploitation of groundwater
Land subsidence, karst collapse, seawater intrusion, wetland shrinkage, etc.
It has arrived unexpectedly.
Due to long-term over-exploitation of groundwater
More than 20 provinces, autonomous regions and cities, including Shanghai, Sichuan, Hunan, Jiangsu, Tianjin and B
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US Lawmakers Arrive in Copenhagen to Counter Trump’s Greenland Threats
In a high-stakes diplomatic maneuver, a delegation of U.S. lawmakers recently arrived in Copenhagen to discuss Greenland’s future, aiming to counteract the aggressive rhetoric and territorial ambitions expressed by former President Donald Trump. The visit comes amid rising concerns over Greenland’s strategic importance in the Arctic and the implications of any unilateral moves by the United States. For Denmark, Greenland’s autonomous territory, the presence of U.S. lawmakers underscores both Washington’s interest in Arctic security and the need to maintain strong transatlantic ties. For the United States, the visit signals a delicate recalibration of policy following Trump’s controversial proposals regarding Greenland, including his infamous attempt to buy the island outright during his presidency. Why Greenland Matters Geopolitically Greenland is more than a frozen expanse of ice; it is a geopolitical prize. Strategically located between North America and Europe, Greenland is key to: Arctic shipping routes that are becoming increasingly navigable due to melting ice Natural resources, including rare earth minerals, oil, and gas reserves Military and surveillance installations, notably the Thule Air Base, which is critical to U.S. missile warning systems and space surveillance The Arctic region is warming faster than any other part of the planet, making Greenland both a resource hub and a potential flashpoint for international competition. Trump’s proposals had alarmed Denmark and other NATO allies, raising questions about the United States’ long-term commitment to respecting international norms and allied sovereignty. The Lawmakers’ Mission The delegation, composed of senators and representatives from both political parties, is tasked with: Reassuring Denmark that the U.S. government respects Greenland’s autonomy Discussing security cooperation, particularly regarding Arctic defense and NATO commitments Exploring economic partnerships that benefit Greenland while maintaining regional stability Officials emphasize that this visit is not about reversing Trump’s statements retroactively, but about ensuring that future U.S. policy reflects diplomatic consensus rather than unilateral ambition. Denmark’s Response Denmark has maintained a firm stance on Greenland’s sovereignty, consistently stating that the island is not for sale. Danish leaders have welcomed the U.S. delegation as a positive step toward strengthening trust and clarifying intentions. Copenhagen also hopes to use the opportunity to reinforce cooperative approaches to Arctic security, particularly in light of growing Russian and Chinese interest in the region. For Denmark, maintaining strong relations with the United States — while safeguarding Greenland’s autonomy — is a balancing act that requires careful diplomacy. Greenland’s Perspective Greenlanders themselves are increasingly vocal in the debate over their future. Many support greater economic independence and political autonomy, and local leaders insist that Greenlanders should have the final say over any decisions affecting their land and resources. The U.S. delegation’s visit highlights the need to consult Greenlandic authorities directly, rather than negotiating solely with Denmark. This approach is seen as a step toward more inclusive, respectful diplomacy, which acknowledges Greenland’s status as more than just a strategic asset. The Role of NATO and Transatlantic Relations Trump’s proposals regarding Greenland strained transatlantic relations, raising concerns among NATO members about the reliability of U.S. commitments. The arrival of bipartisan lawmakers in Copenhagen aims to reaffirm NATO solidarity and demonstrate that U.S. policy is consistent with alliance obligations. By engaging Denmark directly, Congress seeks to prevent miscommunication and maintain stability in a region that is increasingly vital for global security. Analysts note that Greenland’s location provides the United States with a critical vantage point for Arctic monitoring and missile defense, making cooperative relations essential. Global Implications The Greenland issue has broader consequences for international geopolitics and Arctic governance. Key points include: Resource security: Greenland’s rare earth minerals are essential for electronics, renewable energy, and defense technologies, making control and access highly strategic. Climate change and navigation: Melting ice is opening new shipping lanes, which could shift global trade patterns and increase competition for influence. Power dynamics in the Arctic: Russia and China have also shown growing interest in the Arctic, prompting the United States and Europe to strengthen alliances and prevent unilateral exploitation. The lawmakers’ visit signals to the international community that the U.S. is committed to diplomatic solutions rather than transactional or coercive strategies. Challenges Ahead Despite the visit’s diplomatic intent, challenges remain: Political polarization in the U.S.: Future administrations may have different approaches to Greenland, raising uncertainty about long-term commitments. Geopolitical competition: Russia and China continue to advance their presence in the Arctic, complicating cooperative efforts. Local autonomy: Greenlandic voices must be prioritized, or any policy may face resistance at the local level. Successfully navigating these challenges will require transparent dialogue, careful planning, and sustained international cooperation. The Path Forward The visit of U.S. lawmakers to Copenhagen is a cautionary and corrective measure. It signals that while Greenland is strategically important, it is not a bargaining chip. Future cooperation will likely focus on: Strengthening Arctic security frameworks Promoting economic development for Greenlanders Maintaining stability in U.S.-European relations Ensuring that Greenlandic voices remain central to decision-making This proactive approach reflects a broader understanding that diplomacy, not unilateral action, is essential in regions of high strategic value. Final Thoughts Greenland has moved from the margins of global attention to the forefront of geopolitical strategy and climate concern. The arrival of U.S. lawmakers in Copenhagen underscores the importance of measured, inclusive diplomacy in the Arctic, contrasting sharply with the impulsive rhetoric that characterized Trump’s Greenland proposals. As nations navigate the Arctic’s emerging opportunities and challenges, Greenland’s sovereignty and the voices of its people will remain central to regional stability, global security, and international cooperation. The lawmakers’ visit represents a step toward rebuilding trust, reinforcing alliances, and charting a sustainable path forward for one of the planet’s most strategically vital territories.
By Muhammad Hassan5 days ago in Earth
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