New NPG Forum Paper Examines Population Pressures on Mountain Towns

    NPG has published a new Forum paper by writer and researcher Mark Cromer titled The Long Goodnight of Rocky Mountain High. The paper examines how population growth and expanding development are transforming America’s mountain communities, challenging their ability to preserve the natural landscapes, small-town character, and quality of life that have long attracted residents and visitors alike.

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    When Water Runs Low, Population Matters

    Drought, wildfires, and population growth are putting increasing pressure on America’s water resources. Across parts of the United States, severe drought is putting that reality into sharp focus this summer. Reservoirs are dropping, rivers and streams are running low, farmers are facing water shortages, and dry conditions are helping wildfires spread quickly across already parched landscapes. In Utah, where the …

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    America’s Freshwater Is a Finite Resource
    • August 24, 2026
    • NPG
    • 0 Comments

    Population Growth Adds Mounting Pressure to the Water Supplies We All Depend On   Water covers most of our planet. Yet the freshwater that sustains human communities, agriculture, wildlife, and ecosystems represents only a tiny fraction of the water on Earth. As National Geographic explains in its Earth’s Fresh Water educational guide, “more than 99% of Earth’s water is unusable …

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