Tamarisk Hunter
‘The Tamarisk Hunter’: Environment and Dystopia
More and more through advanced technology and media, issues such as global warming, natural resource depletion, and general lack of care for our environment are coming to the forefront. The issues that we are currently facing with our own environment are typical qualities of a dystopian world and also in science fiction. These topics can be seen in the short story by Paolo Bacigalupi called ‘The Tamarisk Hunter’. The story portrays the life of a tamarisk hunter named Lolo in the fictional future western US and his struggle to survive.
Water is the most valuable resource in the Western US, specifically in the Colorado River Basin where Lolo makes his life removing tamarisk trees from the river banks. Tamarisk trees drain thousands of gallons of water each year. Lolo began cutting the trees many years ago when the Big Daddy Drought started and there was no longer enough water to meet the needs of the people along the Colorado River. At the time the story takes place the problem is so advanced that only people in California are allowed access to the water and most people living along the river in Nevada and Utah had to relocate.
Ten years ago tamarisk hunting provided a good living for Lolo, but in recent years Lolo has noticed fewer and fewer tamarisk trees. As a precaution, Lolo has begun replanting tamarisks in new locations for job security. During Lolo’s week long trek home he runs into another tamarisk hunter named Travis. Through Lolo’s discussions with Travis he learns of the worsening state of the area due to the water shortage. Lolo also learned of a place called “The Straw” which appears to be located north of Lolo’s home. The Straw is a new built mechanism to deliver water directly to California through the use of concrete and carbon fiber to stop ground penetration and evaporation of the river. After his talk with Travis, Lolo continues on his way home to his wife Annie and his homestead. Upon
More and more through advanced technology and media, issues such as global warming, natural resource depletion, and general lack of care for our environment are coming to the forefront. The issues that we are currently facing with our own environment are typical qualities of a dystopian world and also in science fiction. These topics can be seen in the short story by Paolo Bacigalupi called ‘The Tamarisk Hunter’. The story portrays the life of a tamarisk hunter named Lolo in the fictional future western US and his struggle to survive.
Water is the most valuable resource in the Western US, specifically in the Colorado River Basin where Lolo makes his life removing tamarisk trees from the river banks. Tamarisk trees drain thousands of gallons of water each year. Lolo began cutting the trees many years ago when the Big Daddy Drought started and there was no longer enough water to meet the needs of the people along the Colorado River. At the time the story takes place the problem is so advanced that only people in California are allowed access to the water and most people living along the river in Nevada and Utah had to relocate.
Ten years ago tamarisk hunting provided a good living for Lolo, but in recent years Lolo has noticed fewer and fewer tamarisk trees. As a precaution, Lolo has begun replanting tamarisks in new locations for job security. During Lolo’s week long trek home he runs into another tamarisk hunter named Travis. Through Lolo’s discussions with Travis he learns of the worsening state of the area due to the water shortage. Lolo also learned of a place called “The Straw” which appears to be located north of Lolo’s home. The Straw is a new built mechanism to deliver water directly to California through the use of concrete and carbon fiber to stop ground penetration and evaporation of the river. After his talk with Travis, Lolo continues on his way home to his wife Annie and his homestead. Upon