A reader recently blamed environmentalists for the recent floods that caused a great deal of havoc in the northern part of California. He is wrong. Decades ago, when humans were more respectful of nature's powers, they made sure that they did not construct homes close to a river that was known for its seasonal floods. But now, to build a house with a wonderful river view is in vogue.
People compete to build homes as close as possible to a river.
Homes are not the only way we have physically intruded into flood plains. We have also moved our economic units there - from cattle stations to manufacturing plants. The ensuing question is why we want to settle in flood plains. It is almost as if we want to prove that nature can be controlled, and that every aspect of nature can be made to dance to our tunes. In this kind of thinking, once we decide that we are going to take over the flood plains, we typically embark on a mission to ensure that the river will stay within a well- defined area.