tagged w/ Water Conservation
-
"Though he wore a red clown's nose while boarding the rocket, Guy Laliberte, the billionaire founder of Cirque du Soleil, did not travel into space simply to bring laughs to the International Space Station. Instead, the "first clown to go into orbit" is doing so to draw attention to an environmental crisis.
During his 12 days aboard the space station, Laliberte will file dispatches and give a live broadcast to raise awareness of water issues. His foundation, One Drop, has the goal of "changing and influencing how safe water is shared and made accessible around the world." Close friend and CEO of Cirque du Soleil, Daniel Lamarre, explained that Laliberte has spent his life "creating unique artistic content and helping change the world."
The water crisis is certainly an important issue, but is traveling to space an effective way to help the cause?"
Trying to raise awareness about this extreme important issue is admirable, I am not sure though if this is the right move.
Let's take into account the $35 millions spent for this journey.
I can only hope now it will work and change things."Though he wore a red clown's nose while boarding the rocket, Guy Laliberte,... more
-
-
Brondell's Perfect Flush enables a standard toilet to get the same water saving benefits as a dual-flush toilet at a fraction of the cost and effort.Brondell's Perfect Flush enables a standard toilet to get the same water saving... more
-
-
Rheem Manufacturing Company has announced a groundbreaking association with the Valley Electric Association (VEA) to launch the largest Domestic Solar Water Heating (DSWH) program ever undertaken in the United States.This program offers each member of the VEA, an electrical co-op servicing more than 22,000 meters within Nevada and California, an opportunity to install a Rheem solar water heating system in their residence.
By installing a Rheem SolPak water heating system, participating residents and business owners will achieve significant water and energy savings. It's estimated that members switching from electric or propane water heating systems will save between $250 and $550 annually on water heating. According to the VEA, this program will also help to eliminate 15.4 million pounds of carbon dioxide annually and save $34 million or more, collectively, on energy costs over the next 20 years.
Valley Electric and Rheem, along with Ed Begley Jr., star of HGTV's "Living with Ed," officially kicked off the DSWH program at Valley Electric's 2009 Energy Symposium on Sept. 5, 2009, in Pahrump, Nev.
"We're extremely pleased to have been selected as the exclusive solar supplier for this project, which is a watershed event for energy and water conservation in the U.S.," said Chris Peel, Rheem senior vice president and chief operating officer.
"As the only company that offers innovative air conditioning and water heating products like SolPak, we applaud Valley Electric and its members for taking a proactive and creative approach to sustainability and green living. Together, we're looking forward to providing home and business owners in California and Nevada with the ultimate in comfort, while also doing our part to further conservation efforts."
"In addition to providing affordable solar water heating to nearly 5,000 homes, we anticipate that the program will immediately create over 100 jobs in Nevada and increase capital in the area by approximately $12 million," said Jeff Mahoney, Rheem alternative energy market manager.Rheem Manufacturing Company has announced a groundbreaking association with the Valley... more
-
-
Philadelphia has announced a $1.6 billion plan to transform the city over the next 20 years by embracing its storm water - instead of hustling it down sewers and into rivers as fast as possible.
The proposal, which several experts called the nation's most ambitious, reimagines the city as an oasis of rain gardens, green roofs, thousands of additional trees, porous pavement, and more.
All would act as sponges to absorb - or at least stall - the billions of gallons of rainwater that overwhelm the city sewer system every year.
The plan's complex funding formula would raise rates somewhat but also attract grants and encourage private investment.
Further, the Water Department says the city's greening would result in more jobs, higher property values, better air quality, less energy use, and even fewer deaths - from excess heat.
The plan is a radical departure from the highly engineered tunnels and sewage plant expansions cities have traditionally opted for.
"This is the most significant use of green infrastructure I've seen in the country, the largest scale I've seen," said Jon Capacasa, regional director of water protection for the Environmental Protection Agency, which has the final say on whether the plan passes muster.
"We commend Philadelphia for breaking the ice," he said.
Whether the plan will work as the department intends is still being analyzed by regulators and environmental experts. (This will take a while. The printed plan is 3,369 pages.)
Theoretically, it's workable, said the Natural Resources Defense Council's water expert, Nancy Stoner. The green techniques "are well-demonstrated," she said. "It's the scaling up that's new. That's what's really exciting."
________
Water is the most basic and precious element on Earth. It's spiritual and physical properties are the source of all life. The Water Is Life Group on Current will report on and discuss all facets of its presence on Earth, especially in light of the current global water crisis we face due to waste, pollution, privitization, climate change, and lack of political and moral will. So if you thirst for knowledge and information about this most precious and sacred resource, please join the Water Is Life group.
http://current.com/groups/water-is-life/Philadelphia has announced a $1.6 billion plan to transform the city over the next 20... more
-
-
Jeans manufacturing requires a lot of chemicals and water and if the left over water isn’t treated properly, it can pollute our valuable rivers and streams. That’s why GAP has recently expanded their 2004 Clean Water Program to ensure that all their suppliers meet their high wastewater quality standards. Check out more the next time you are in a GAP, Banana Republic or Old Navy: information on this program is being included in the pockets of their jeans.
It’s nice to see a major company that is dedicated to maintaining sustainable business practices that encourage the health of our rivers. Hopefully other mainstream clothing manufacturers will follow their lead and ensure we can have quality clothing without negative environmental impacts.
http://www.gapinc.com/GapIncSubSites/csr/Goals/Environment/Program/En_Clean_Water_Program.shtml
Gap Inc's Clean Water Program.
___
How often do we think of the water usage that goes into what we are wearing, using, or eating? Not often enough. Good to see companies taking action to preserve clean water.Jeans manufacturing requires a lot of chemicals and water and if the left over water... more
-
-
Its quite incredible to see how much water can be "saved" by reusing it appropriately.
"Faced With Water Woes, California Increases Conservation With Graywater Systems
State revises standards for reusing wastewater
by Kelly Zito
Pam Hartwell-Herrero is making sure she washes her family's clothes when the olive tree, rhubarb and coffee berries in her front yard look thirsty.
Hartwell-Herrero and a team of fellow water conservation enthusiasts recently installed a "laundry to landscape" graywater system at her 1960s Fairfax bungalow. It took most of a day to attach a special valve, punch a hole in her garage wall and set up the pipes leading from her washing machine to the garden.
But now, every time Hartwell-Herrero fires up a load of whites, the plants perk up.
"It's hilarious," said Hartwell-Herrero, 40, executive director of Sustainable Fairfax. "With every load we run, my husband, daughter and I run outside to see the water going into the garden."
The idea of using graywater - defined in California as the wastewater from showers, bathroom sinks and washing machines - isn't a novel one. But last month, California followed Arizona, Texas and other states in adopting new graywater standards. Officials with the state Department of Housing and Community Development, which oversees graywater, changed the state code in the wake of recent legislation calling for a re-evaluation of graywater use and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's June proclamation of a statewide drought.
Whereas California property owners previously were required essentially to install costly mini leach fields (those are usually associated with septic systems) and obtain pricey permits, the new codes allow residents to install basic, relatively inexpensive graywater systems themselves with no permits.
Under the old regulations, a graywater system cost as much as $10,000, versus as little as $200 now.
To ensure safety, the water cannot stagnate, run into a neighbor's yard or directly touch fruits or vegetables. In addition, pipes must be several inches underground or under mulch- experts say that is better than burying the pipes deeper underground because rich topsoil is a far better filter of particles, soaps and other materials.
The previous codes "missed the mark in terms of using graywater as irrigation," said Doug Hensel, deputy director of codes and standards for the department. "Hopefully this will streamline the process and will be something else we can use to save water in California."
Amid a third dry year, widespread water rationing, a booming population and concerns about climate change, water use in California is being scrutinized like never before. Many in the environmental community, in particular, argue the state can save its way out of the water crisis by employing water conservation, recycling of graywater and capturing storm water that now runs down city sidewalks and ultimately to the ocean.
Hensel's agency estimates a typical household could save 22,000 gallons of water each year from a laundry graywater system alone.
That opportunity isn't lost on Bay Area consumers. Many are turning to Greywater Guerrillas, an Oakland volunteer outfit that, for the last decade, has advised homeowners on reusing water. Until now, much of the group's work technically fell on the wrong side of the law. Now the group hopes to reach a larger audience.
It was a Guerrillas' class that learned about and assembled Hartwell-Herrero's home system. The group has more classes planned this fall in Walnut Creek and Hopland (Mendocino County).
"We're definitely getting a lot more interest since the drought," said Laura Allen, co-founder of the group."Its quite incredible to see how much water can be "saved" by reusing it... more
-
-
This is their world too. How will we leave it to them?
As the video says, it's not enough to be green. We have to be blue too.This is their world too. How will we leave it to them?
As the video says,... more
-
-
Tonight on Max and Jason: Still Up
H20: Drink it or die featuring:
My week without water
Water is something I've taken for granted all my life. It comes from the tap, and flows for as long as i want it to. What would it be like not to have access to unlimited clean water every day? I want to know how the lack of water would affect my life.
http://current.com/items/89142033_my-week-without-water.htm
Toxic Seas
Abnormally high levels of toxic algae in the waters off the California coast are harming some of the ocean's top mammals. Adam Yamaguchi looks into what may be causing these deadly algal blooms.
http://current.com/items/77427651_toxic-seas.htm
Catch the whole show. Tune in every weeknight at midnight/11 central for Max and Jason: Still Up.
http://current.com/max-and-jason-still-up/
Original air date: 09/3/09Tonight on Max and Jason: Still Up
H20: Drink it or die featuring:
My week... more
-
-
ctv
-
added this
-
2 years ago
- |
-
Could we make big changes on our own? Can government incentive programs help the environment and the people at the same time?
This article takes a look at the the environmental benefits of "Cash for Clunkers" and some bold new incentive ideas such as "Wind Power for Pastures" that would make bigger and better changes for the environment.Could we make big changes on our own? Can government incentive programs help the... more
-
-
As the world turns its eyes toward Copenhagen for the United Nations Climate Conference in December and how to engage the public on these massively complex issues of planetary survival, it might look to water as a universal solvent. According to our new Circle of Blue GlobeScan public opinion survey, WaterViews, we now know that people globally care most about water.
This seems like commons sense. Water flows through each of world's most significant challenges of the 21st century, from drought and food supplies, health and pandemics to economic despair and sustainable development. And, of course, we'd simply die without water.
This comprehensive and independent global public opinion survey on attitudes about fresh water sustainability, management and conservation finds that people around the world view water issues as the planet’s top environmental problem, greater than air pollution, depletion of natural resources, loss of habitat and even climate change. We published the results Tuesday at World Water Week in Stockholm. (Circle of Blue is the independent, nonpartisan journalism, science and communications organization I direct that's reporting the global water crisis.) The data is fresh and we didn't know the outcome until the numbers were in little more than a week ago.
My colleague Keith Schneider writes:
The fierce impediments to clean water and sanitation, and the millions of premature deaths from water-related disease, are seen as having a greater influence on quality of life and the planet than air pollution, species extinction, depletion of natural resources, loss of habitat and climate change.
Opinion is powerful stuff, and it may be catching up to present-day reality. The encouraging news for those working on water issues is that people — a high 93 percent — want to be empowered with more information to do something about the crisis.
What does this mean? Simple. As an issue, climate is gravely urgent. But it's a surpassingly complicated story built on scenarios and slow fuses. If it can be broken down into its concrete impacts on such things as water, then it becomes understandable and real.
We surveyed 1,000 people in each of 15 countries, and probed 500 in each of the following countries on specific questions: Canada, China, India, Mexico, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States. (We are awaiting data from ten more countries.) Water pollution and fresh water shortages ranked first and second while climate ranked sixth.
A closer look at the results shows that people around the world view water pollution as the most important facet of the fresh water crisis, and that shortages of fresh water are very close behind.
end of excerptAs the world turns its eyes toward Copenhagen for the United Nations Climate... more
-
-
After three years of drought, California's legendary water wars are flaring once again, and towns like Mendota, San Joaquin, and Firebaugh are getting a first glimpse of what their future might look like. Farmers blame the area's blight on a "man-made drought" brought on by increasingly strict environmental regulations, but that is only the beginning of the story. There's also the crushing confluence of political negligence, drought, and a century's worth of unbridled growth. Now, as residents wonder if normalcy will ever return, planners are forced to consider a far uglier question: should it? Is a new "normal" required?
That towns like Mendota even exist reflects the extraordinary ambition that built the American West. A century ago, much of the San Joaquin Valley was an undeveloped dust bowl, its few small farming communities clustered around natural water sources. Today, it is a green expanse of agricultural empires. Most of the water that has irrigated these seemingly endless fields comes from northern California, diverted by an epic system of dams and canals born from New Deal funds. It was one of the most ambitious water systems ever built, and the San Joaquin Valley became, in the words of historian Kevin Starr, "the most productive unnatural environment on Earth."
The valley is home to a $20 billion crop industry; the San Joaquin region alone produces more in farm sales than any other individual state in the country. Mark Borba, 59, has a big stake in that business, just as his grandparents did in the valley's development. Borba Farms started off with about 20 milk cows and 30 acres of land in 1910, at a time when farmers who had tapped an underground aquifer were kicking off a race to cultivate. The farm now covers 10,000 acres, and Mark Borba is only one of 600 growers in the Westlands Water District, a water-contracting group of farmers and landowners on the far west side of the valley where Mendota and other towns sit. By the time Borba took over his family's operation in the 1970s, the valley was already supplying 25 percent of the country's food.
Making that explosive growth possible is access to water delivered through an increasingly byzantine system centered on the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta, a thousand-square-mile web of channels, islands, and levees where the two rivers meet before flowing into the San Francisco Bay. From there, giant dams and pumps suck the water southward through veinlike aqueducts to 25 million people and more than 5 million acres of farmland. But not all water consumers are created equally. In fact, access to the water is essentially based on a squatters' rights notion: "First in rights, first in time." In other words, whoever signed up for a water contract first got the best guarantees. Latecomers got junior rights, meaning they'd be the first to get cut in a dry. Westlands, which has a contract for water delivery with the federal government, is the most junior of the bunch.
It was complicated and costly, but for a long time, the system worked. Over the last three decades, however, the valley's explosive growth has caused rivers to run dry, dead fish to accumulate near the water pumps, and chronic water shortages. The levees near the bay are old, prompting worries that a failure, perhaps following an earthquake, could cause salt water from the bay to rush into the delta, crippling the water supply for the entire state. And the delta smelt, an endangered species of fish no bigger than an index finger, began disappearing as the massive pumps sucked up fish along with the water it was sending south. Lawsuits over the fish filed by environmental groups and water contractors multiplied, and court-imposed restrictions and regulations began siphoning off more and more of the 6 million acre-feet of water exported through the river basin each year.
more at the linkAfter three years of drought, California's legendary water wars are flaring once... more
-
-
I like this because it made me laugh for a good cause. Plus I really like pissing in the shower.I like this because it made me laugh for a good cause. Plus I really like pissing in... more
-
-
Perhaps it's somehow easier to talk about infectious disease than toilets. But the unfortunate truth is that more children die every year from illnesses caused by poor water and sanitation than from HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria combined.
Bindeshwar Pathak has made it his life's mission to do something about it. Over the last four decades, the Indian doctor has replaced open-air defecation and bucket toilets seen—and smelled—throughout his country, reports the AFP. Last week, he was awarded the 2009 Stockholm Water Prize for his life- and water-saving toilet called the Sulabh, which means "easily available" in Hindi.
"Provision of sanitation provides dignity and safety, especially to women, and reduction of child mortality," Pathak said in his acceptance speech. "As a matter of fact, safe water and sanitation go hand in hand for improvement of community health."
Each Sulabh uses about a tenth the water of a common toilet—crucial in regions where water is growing scarce—and houses the flushed human waste in two tanks until the contents can be recycled as a fertilizer. Disease and diarrhea remain confined.Perhaps it's somehow easier to talk about infectious disease than toilets. But... more
-
-
hcice
-
added this
-
2 years ago
- |
-
Simple easy way to install drip irrigation in your garden.
-
-
The time for thinking that only techological fixes to this crisis will solve it is coming to an end. We have dammed and diverted ourselves into this along with our own selfish consumption and rising population. The time has come for a moral fix and for us as humans to realize that unless WE consciously act to conserve what we have we won't have it anymore, and the repurcussions of that contemplation go far beyond any repurcussions of peak oil.The time for thinking that only techological fixes to this crisis will solve it is... more
-
-
MEXICO CITY - Mexico is suffering from its driest year in 68 years, killing crops and cattle in the countryside and forcing the government to slow the flow of water to the crowded capital.
Below-average rainfall since last year has left about 80 of Mexico's 175 largest reservoirs less than half full, said Felipe Arreguin, a senior official at the Conagua commission, which manages the country's water supply.
"We have zones where the reservoirs are totally full but others that don't have even a drop of water," he said in an interview late on Tuesday.
More than 1,000 cattle have been lost due to lack of rainfall, and up to 20 million tons of crops managed by 3.5 million small farmers are at risk of being lost, agriculture groups say.
The arid northwest region of Mexico has been hardest hit, along with the central part of the country surrounding Mexico City where 20 million people live.
Mexico typically has a rainy season from around June to October, topping up lakes and reservoirs that supply much of the country's water during the rest of the year.
The El Nino weather phenomenon, a warming of the seas in the Pacific Ocean, has induced a dry spell in South America and is likely partly to blame for Mexico's lack of rain, experts say.
Authorities have reduced the flow from the Cutzamala series of dams and rivers more than 60 miles long that supplies a quarter of Mexico City's water to ensure enough is available until next year's rainy season.
Trucks are delivering water to some parts of the capital where cuts have made the flow of water intermittent.
"If all we have is a bucketful, we wash up with a cloth, but not well, not like you should," said Maria de la Luz, who has sold chicken at a neighborhood market for 48 years. "Now is the worst it's been since I was a girl."
Arreguin said the water situation in the capital was alarming but not yet a full emergency.
"If it were a traffic light it would be yellow," Arreguin said.
FARMERS HIT
In Mexican states like San Luis, Aguascalientes and Colima, some farmers have been unable to successfully plant their crops because of a lack of rain, while others watched their corn and beans plants wilt. Authorities are handing out cash to small farmers in hard-hit areas.
Four-fifths of Mexico's water resources are used to irrigate crops and the government is encouraging farmers to adopt more efficient methods over the long term.
In neighboring Guatemala, the government is distributing emergency food to 56,000 families whose crops have been damaged.
"This problem happens every year, but this year it seems particularly serious," said Guatemalan government official Juan Aguilar.
Mexico's sugar crop was harvested before the drought set in, and coffee farms are mostly in unaffected areas.
Already-taxed underground water accounts for most of the supply to Mexico City, an urban sprawl built over a drained lake bead, and will likely face more stress.
Mexico has had slightly less rainfall over the past decade but there is insufficient data to say how much global warming can be blamed, Arreguin said.
"How much of this phenomenon is from El Nino? How much is from climate change? The best thing is to hope for the best but prepare for the worst," Arreguin said.
Mexico City officials are urging residents to conserve water by installing efficient shower faucets and to use buckets instead of hoses to wash their cars. (Additional reporting by Mica Rosenberg and Sarah Grainger; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)MEXICO CITY - Mexico is suffering from its driest year in 68 years, killing crops and... more
-
-
The secret behind the cost of water.
-
-
Bottled water fools us while wasting our money and energy.
-
-
Refreshing Water Right From The Toilet
-
-
