Water Spouts Blog

Water Spouts will speak volubly and endlessly about all the issues concerning water. The ongoing degradation, and growing scarcity, of the water supply here in the US, and the rest of the world. The continued absence of potable water in so many parts of the world. The work being done by NGOs, and charities, in the third world, to help alleviate the situation. The emphasis on WASH ( Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene ) so health and healthy water are maintained. "Water Spouts" will spout it all out.

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Aquaponics: The Key to a More Sustainable Future?

It’s becoming increasingly evident that we’re going to run out of sustainable fish stocks in the years ahead—is aquaponics really a viable solution?

The world is always changing around us and the face of agriculture and food production is changing as well. A constantly increasing world population means more urban sprawl is taking over what was once fertile farm land—how are we going to manage to grow enough food to keep up with our ever-growing numbers, especially the millions who live in drought-stricken, arid climates? Fish numbers are also dropping throughout the world’s oceans, leading experts to predict increasingly severe global shortages.

How about aquaponics? Aquaponics is an ingenious growing system that merges edible fish production with hydroponics. In aquaponics an artificial ecosystem is created in which fish are fed, their waste is broken down into more absorbable forms by beneficial bacteria and the converted waste is then pumped through the system, where it feeds the plants. The plants act as a natural filter, cleaning the water—which is then recirculated through the system. Aquaponics is looking more and more like it’s going to be one of the best solutions for future generations seeking sustainable ways to produce healthy organic food.

Making aquaponics work

Aquaponics is a blending of two important ideas, combining fish farming with hydroponics (soilless gardening). Edible fish that do well in closed environments are required—tilapia, white bass, crappie and barramundi are species that are used in many commercial and home aquaponic systems. These fish will feed and their urine and feces will be a waste product. In normal fish tanks or fish farming systems the waste builds up and makes the water toxic to the fish—the waste-filled water then needs to be purified and would normally be either filtered or disposed of.

In aquaponic systems this is not the case, however—the fish waste actually makes great plant food. The waste-filled water is recirculated throughout the system instead of being flushed away. One very important aspect of aquaponics that needs to be understood is that it is not just a symbiotic relationship between fish and plants—there is another system of organisms operating within every aquaponic system that is crucial to success. This is the network of beneficial bacteria that needs to exist in every aquaponic set-up. The beneficial bacteria nitrosamonas spconverts ammonia from fish urine and feces into nitrite and the beneficial bacteria nitrobacter sp then converts the nitrite into nitrate—a form of nitrogen that plants can absorb and fish can tolerate in their water at low levels. Without the action of this network of beneficial bacteria the water would develop toxic levels of nitrite (even small amounts are toxic) and both the fish and plants would eventually die.

This network of beneficial bacteria is fragile and must be cared for as carefully as your fish or plants. This means that you can’t use any chemicals—including hydrogen peroxide or pesticides (chemical or organic)—that could harm the beneficial bacteria. If you stick to these rules you can create a healthy system of ‘good’ bacteria in your aquaponic system. Bacteria need a lot of surface area to thrive—raft and deepwater culture systems have enough surface area for the beneficial bacteria to grow but systems such as NFT (nutrient film technique) do not. In NFT systems you have to help the bacteria by creating a biofilter, which can be accomplished by adding a separate chamber to the system that the waste-filled water will have to pass through. In this chamber a piece of mesh should be strung from side to side, providing adequate surface area for the bacteria culture. You could buy bacteria and add them to your system but this is not really necessary as they will develop and grow naturally if allowed to.

For beneficial bacteria to thrive a neutral pH balance of seven should be maintained, unlike hydroponic systems where the pH should be kept slightly acidic at a level of 5.8 to 6.8.

Environmental benefits

There are many reasons to choose commercial and small-scale home aquaponic systems over traditional methods of farming fish and vegetables separately. Environmental concerns are one big reason that aquaponic systems are being looked at seriously as an important future source of food—aquaponics will eliminate the need for the costly synthetic nutrients that are often used in hydroponic systems. These synthetic nutrients are made using fossil fuels and many experts believe that we have reached the peak level of oil production. This is a controversial topic and is very debatable, but either way these fossil fuels could be better used in other ways, such as heating and powering homes.

Another environmental benefit aquaponic systems have over other farming options is that you don’t use pesticides when farming with aquaponics. Pesticides that are normally used to control and eliminate insects are harmful to the fish in aquaponic systems. Although most pesticides in use today are considered relatively safe, there are many that are not—and not all countries enforce the same strict pesticide laws that protect us in North America.

Aquaponics is also advantageous in that it conserves water. Fish farms must either use expensive filters to purify water before it is recirculated, or—more likely—dirty water is just flushed and fresh water is then used to replace it. Water used in hydroponic systems must be replaced often as well—salts and minerals that are not absorbed by the plants can build up, reaching toxic levels quickly. In aquaponic systems plants absorb the fish waste, acting as a natural filter. In this way water can be continuously recirculated, only occasionally needing a top-up to make up for evaporation and plant transpiration.

The capability of aquaponic systems to recirculate water efficiently could be very beneficial in arid regions of the world where so many countries are now facing drought and food shortages. Aquaponics looks like it could be a great solution to those problems—by recirculating water, aquaponics systems should allow people to grow more food with less water. Since aquaponics doesn’t require synthetic nutrients or pesticides either, it can be a very cost-effective means of feeding many people. Aquaponics could also be established on a large scale outdoors in warmer climates to utilize the sunlight.

People love fish—it is highly nutritious and at one time the supply of most species was so plentiful as to appear inexhaustible. Now, due to overfishing, climate change and lax regulations the world’s stocks are rapidly dwindling and it seems more and more likely that fish farming will have to become the way of the future. If we are serious about finding a sustainable way for future generations to acquire the nutrition that fish can provide, we must take a long look at aquaponics.

The world continues to change and the population is going to keep growing. Climate change and ever-expanding urban sprawl are taking away fertile land that was once used for agriculture. Fish stocks are plummeting, while large-scale farming on land reduces the natural habitats of animal species. We are at a vital crossroads and the well-being of future generations depends on which road we take—it’s beginning to seem more obvious every day that aquaponics could be a very important part of the solution to our planet’s impending food shortages.

Written by Matt LeBannister @MaximumYield.com

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Science Tales

Darryl Cunningham's Science Tales is a fantastic nonfiction comic book about science, skepticism and denial. Divided into short chapters with simple layouts and graphics, Cunningham's book looks into belief in chiropractic and homeopathy; denial of moon landings, climate change and evolution, the anti-vaccination movement, and related subjects. It concludes with a tremendous piece on the forces that give rise to anti-scientific/anti-evidence movements, which Cunningham attributes to the deadly cocktail of cynical corporate media-manipulation and humanity's built-in cognitive blind-spots. (Link).

Skeptical Science

Scientific skepticism is healthy. Scientists should always challenge themselves to improve their understanding. Yet this isn't what happens with climate change denial. Skeptics vigorously criticise any evidence that supports man-made global warming and yet embrace any argument, op-Ed, blog or study that refutes global warming. This website gets skeptical about global warming skepticism. Do their arguments have any scientific basis? What does the peer reviewed scientific literature say? (Link)

What Up With That?

I’m a former television meteorologist who spent 25 years on the air and who also operates a weather technology and content business, as well as continues daily forecasting on radio, just for fun. While I have a skeptical view of certain climate issues, I consider myself “green” in many ways, and I promote the idea of energy savings and alternate energy generation. Unlike many who just talk about it, I’ve put a 10KW solar array on my home, plus a 125 KW solar array on one of our local schools when I was a school trustee. I’ve retrofitted my home with CFL’s and better insulation, as well as installed timer switches on many of our most commonly used lights. (Link)

The Yale Forum on Climate Change & The Media

The Yale Forum on Climate Change & The Media provides original reporting, commentary, and analysis on climate change — one of the most important and challenging issues of our time. Edited by veteran environmental journalist and journalism educator Bud Ward, our online publication engages a dynamic global community of journalists, scientists, educators, and communicators. We strive to improve understanding of, and nurture better communication on, climate change … for the benefit of the public in arriving at sound individual and public policy actions. We invite comments from those who educate on causes, consequences, challenges, and approaches on climate change. Share your ideas, experiences, successes, and challenges. Constructively engage with our community to foster better understanding of the climate challenges facing society.

Water Footprint

The interest in the concept of the water footprint and the accompanying methods and tools is overwhelming. This interest is rooted in the recognition that human impacts on freshwater systems can ultimately be linked to human consumption and that issues like water shortages and pollution can be better understood and addressed by considering production and supply chains as a whole. It is increasingly acknowledged that local water depletion and pollution are often closely tied to the structure of the global economy. Many countries have significantly externalised their water footprint, importing water-intensive goods from elsewhere. This puts pressure on the water resources in the exporting regions, where too often mechanisms for wise water governance and conservation are lacking. Not only governments acknowledge their role in achieving a better management of water resources, also businesses and public-service organisations increasingly recognize their role in the interplay of actors involved in water use and management.

The Urban Farming Guys

We are the seed that died and went into the ground. We are about 20 families who have purposefully uprooted from out of our comfortable suburban homes and moved into one of the worst neighborhoods in Kansas City. We each bought homes within a 5 block radius of each other and we put down our stake for the sake of the youth and the poor. What is going to happen to us … who knows, but this is certainly not a novelty idea, and please don’t try it yourselves without thinking it through. We are a band of pioneers. We don’t claim this is even a good idea…. it is our lives. We are cultivating the life of the innercity. The Police helicopter is our favorite bird. Neighborhood meetings are our drama. Dropping crime stats are our touchdown cheer. Just to see people walking their dogs around the block again is a sign of good things to come. Stay tuned, lots of adventure to come….a

Kick the Bottled Water Habit

What consumer beverage outsells milk, beer and soda, costs more than a gallon of gasoline, and is now being banned from sale in some U.S. National Parks? If your answer was bottled water, give yourself a prize. And for many good reasons, it’s time to lay off the bottle! First off, what marketers claim is pristine and healthy is not what it seems. Nearly half of all bottled water is filtered tap water. This includes Coke’s Dasani and Pepsi’s Aquafina. Both are 100 percent “pristine” municipal tap water. These companies bottle taxpayer-supported, low-cost city water and sell it back to consumers at huge profits. Others, like Nestle’s Poland Spring and Deer Park, bottle spring water cheaply sucked from small town aquifers across America, sparking outrage and legal battles over corporate theft of public municipal water rights. Studies reveal that your water at home is likely just as pure, clean and healthy (and significantly less expensive) than bottled water. The industry is largely self-regulating, with the FDA exercising minimal oversight over bottled water quality and safety. Unfortunately, advertising trumps truth: bottled water sales set an all-time record in 2011. We bought 9.1 billion gallons of the stuff! What began as Perrier’s niche market in the 70’s, is now a moneymaking behemoth and environmental catastrophe. Of the 80 million disposable water bottles emptied every day, only about 20 percent get recycled; the rest end up in the waste stream (bad!) or as litter (worse!). Many tossed bottles find their way to the Pacific Ocean’s floating plastic “Garbage Island”. When you consider that all those bottles are made from crude oil, then the Pacific’s watery trash heap – bigger than Texas – becomes the world’s largest oil spill. What’s a thirsty American to do? The same thing hikers, bicyclists and birders have been doing for decades – carry a reusable water bottle! Klean Kanteen, SIGG, and Camelbak all make good ones. Reusable bottles annihilate the argument that plastic bottles are a more convenient way of getting your recommended eight glasses of liquid refreshment daily. If the quality of your home tap water is questionable, try a range of filtering options – from filtering pitchers, to faucet-mounted models or whole-house systems. All ensure quality drinking water. Consumer demand propelled the rise of bottled water. Declining demand will be its demise. Come on people… are we so blind, so easily fooled, so lazy? Are we so eager to spend our money and scarce resources? This one seems like a no-brainer. Simple economics, better health, and environmental well being all demand that it’s time we lay off the bottle!

No Fracking Way by Paul Krugman NY Times

For decades the story of technology has been dominated, in the popular mind and to a large extent in reality, by computing and the things you can do with it. Moore’s Law — in which the price of computing power falls roughly 50 percent every 18 months — has powered an ever-expanding range of applications, from faxes to Facebook. Our mastery of the material world, on the other hand, has advanced much more slowly. The sources of energy, the way we move stuff around, are much the same as they were a generation ago. But that may be about to change. We are, or at least we should be, on the cusp of an energy transformation, driven by the rapidly falling cost of solar power. That’s right, solar power. If that surprises you, if you still think of solar power as some kind of hippie fantasy, blame our fossilized political system, in which fossil fuel producers have both powerful political allies and a powerful propaganda machine that denigrates alternatives. Speaking of propaganda: Before I get to solar, let’s talk briefly about hydraulic fracturing, a k a fracking. Fracking — injecting high-pressure fluid into rocks deep underground, inducing the release of fossil fuels — is an impressive technology. But it’s also a technology that imposes large costs on the public. We know that it produces toxic (and radioactive) wastewater that contaminates drinking water; there is reason to suspect, despite industry denials, that it also contaminates groundwater; and the heavy trucking required for fracking inflicts major damage on roads. Economics 101 tells us that an industry imposing large costs on third parties should be required to “internalize” those costs — that is, to pay for the damage it inflicts, treating that damage as a cost of production. Fracking might still be worth doing given those costs. But no industry should be held harmless from its impacts on the environment and the nation’s infrastructure. Yet what the industry and its defenders demand is, of course, precisely that it be let off the hook for the damage it causes. Why? Because we need that energy! For example, the industry-backed organization energyfromshale.org declares that “there are only two sides in the debate: those who want our oil and natural resources developed in a safe and responsible way; and those who don’t want our oil and natural gas resources developed at all.” So it’s worth pointing out that special treatment for fracking makes a mockery of free-market principles. Pro-fracking politicians claim to be against subsidies, yet letting an industry impose costs without paying compensation is in effect a huge subsidy. They say they oppose having the government “pick winners,” yet they demand special treatment for this industry precisely because they claim it will be a winner. And now for something completely different: the success story you haven’t heard about. These days, mention solar power and you’ll probably hear cries of “Solyndra!” Republicans have tried to make the failed solar panel company both a symbol of government waste — although claims of a major scandal are nonsense — and a stick with which to beat renewable energy. But Solyndra’s failure was actually caused by technological success: the price of solar panels is dropping fast, and Solyndra couldn’t keep up with the competition. In fact, progress in solar panels has been so dramatic and sustained that, as a blog post at Scientific American put it, “there’s now frequent talk of a ‘Moore’s law’ in solar energy,” with prices adjusted for inflation falling around 7 percent a year. This has already led to rapid growth in solar installations, but even more change may be just around the corner. If the downward trend continues — and if anything it seems to be accelerating — we’re just a few years from the point at which electricity from solar panels becomes cheaper than electricity generated by burning coal. And if we priced coal-fired power right, taking into account the huge health and other costs it imposes, it’s likely that we would already have passed that tipping point. But will our political system delay the energy transformation now within reach? Let’s face it: a large part of our political class, including essentially the entire G.O.P., is deeply invested in an energy sector dominated by fossil fuels, and actively hostile to alternatives. This political class will do everything it can to ensure subsidies for the extraction and use of fossil fuels, directly with taxpayers’ money and indirectly by letting the industry off the hook for environmental costs, while ridiculing technologies like solar. So what you need to know is that nothing you hear from these people is true. Fracking is not a dream come true; solar is now cost-effective. Here comes the sun, if we’re willing to let it in.

WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene)

37% per cent of the developing world’s population – 2.5 billion people – lack improved sanitation facilities, and over 780 million people still use unsafe drinking water sources. Inadequate access to safe water and sanitation services, coupled with poor hygiene practices, kills and sickens thousands of children every day, and leads to impoverishment and diminished opportunities for thousands more. Poor sanitation, water and hygiene have many other serious repercussions. Children – and particularly girls – are denied their right to education because their schools lack private and decent sanitation facilities. Women are forced to spend large parts of their day fetching water. Poor farmers and wage earners are less productive due to illness, health systems are overwhelmed and national economies suffer. Without WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene), sustainable development is impossible. UNICEF works in more than 90 countries around the world to improve water supplies and sanitation facilities in schools and communities, and to promote safe hygiene practices. We sponsor a wide range of activities and work with many partners, including families, communities, governments and like-minded organizations. In emergencies we provide urgent relief to communities and nations threatened by disrupted water supplies and disease. All UNICEF WASH programmes are designed to contribute to the Millennium Development Goal for water and sanitation: to halve, by 2015, the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe water and basic sanitation.

How to Conserve Water - Tips and Tricks.

How to Conserve Water (Beginners' Level)

Here are those tips and tricks on how to conserve water that are easy to implement. Neither money, nor time investment, nor special preparations are needed. It's just you and your conscious.

Take shorter showers. I should confess I used to be a ten-minute-shower-person. I love long and hot showers. They are so relaxing especially after busy or cold days. But let's face it - more than 21% of the household water use comes from the shower. Not to count the fact that water may run unused till we wait for a good to us temperature. Nevertheless, I know I can reduce the minutes under the shower and start relaxing, let's say in a more efficient way.

Turn off the faucet when you brush your teeth. That's how you can conserve about 2 gallons of water per brushing.

Skip a shave. If you still have to shave every day, just don't rinse your razor under a running tap, but fill your basin with little warm water.

Do not wash your hair every day. I think this is not only a good how to conserve water tip, it's a good hair maintenance advice too. If you still feel the need to wash your hair every day, why don't you try a different hair cut or style.

Run your dishwasher only when it’s full. I used to wash my dishes by hand just because I thought I'd use less water. If you are like me, don't fool yourself. A dishwasher will save you about 10 gallons of water per washing and will use less soap too.

Fully load your washing machine. It will save you about 3 gallons of water for each wash. A front-loading washing machine is more efficient than a top-loading one.

Don't let the tap dripping. Fix leaky sinks and running toilets quickly.

"If it's yellow, let it mellow. If it's brown, flush it down." Have you heard this before? :) This was one of the fresh how to conserve water tips for me. If you don't feel ok with this, why don't you try implement it during the night? At least you will not wake everybody up when you flush the water.

Use the small flush if you have a dual flush toilet. It is sufficient for just about anything, and when it isn't, doing two small flushes is actually better than one big one.

How to Conserve Water (Intermediate Level)

How to conserve water has never been easier, but these water saving tips may require some financial investment. If you are as determined to go green and save money as I am, then they deserve at least your attention.

Toilet lid sink. Frankly, this was a real finding for me on how to conserve water in the most practical way. When you wash your hands, water is saved in the tank and is used to flush the toilet next time. It not only saves water, but space too. Note that you can buy only the tank.

Install a low-flow shower head and reduce your shower water use by 20 to 60%.

Instant Off Water SaverThis is another "precious" how to conserve water trick. Practically, Instant Off controls the water. When you push the rod, water starts. Once the rod is released, water stops. This little water saving device is perfect for bathrooms, kitchens, garage sinks and RVs.

Use waterless car wash. So, instead of using 500 gallons of water to wash your car by yourself or 32 gallons at the commercial car wash stations, go for the waterless way and you'll get your car shining like new. Learn more and see products offered at Eco Touch and Freedom.

Collect rainwater from your roof's downspout in a rain barrel to irrigate your garden. In Colorado, there is a law that bans rainwater capture...., but anywhere else, this water saving tip may be quite valuable and save lots of gallons of clean water from being spent in watering the garden.

How to Conserve Water (Masters' Level)

Water recycling - greywater and wastewater reuse systems. This how to conserve water idea is of high difficulty and may require big financial investment. Greywater systems take the water from your shower and kitchen (never from the toilet) and redirect it to watering the garden. Learn more at Greywater Action.

Thanks: http://www.sustainlane.com/

Ocean (song) by Meish Goldish (sung to "Take Me Out to the Ball Game")

Take me out to the ocean,
Take me out to the sea,
Show me the foamy waves rolling there,
As I breathe in the salty sea air!

Let me look, look, look at the ocean,
See the sea and explore,
For it's fun to dive from the top
To the ocean floor!

Take me out to the ocean,
Take me out to the sea.
Show me the currents and ocean tides,
Let me see where the seaweed resides!

When you look, look, look at the ocean,
Look at all it is worth!
For the ocean covers three-fourths
of the entire earth!

There Was a Time

There was a time when all waters ran clean and fish leaped from every stream to catch the hovering mayfly.

There was a time when birds and bees stirred summer air with wings of ease, but now that time has gone by.

The time I've known, and seen, and felt, has been a time when man have dealt with the world like a belligerent child.

In the name of the great money race, they've taken Earth's pristine face, and with muck, and smoke, and oil, defiled.

Still I pray for the time to come, when recleansed water sparkles in the sun, and the moon shines down sublime
on a world that was lost and found, and we can all feel justified and proud, to tell of the passing of that former time.

What is Acid Rain?

"Acid rain" is a broad term referring to a mixture of wet and dry deposition (deposited material) from the atmosphere containing higher than normal amounts of nitric and sulfuric acids. The precursors, or chemical forerunners, of acid rain formation result from both natural sources, such as volcanoes and decaying vegetation, and man-made sources, primarily emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) resulting from fossil fuel combustion. In the United States, roughly 2/3 of all SO2 and 1/4 of all NOx come from electric power generation that relies on burning fossil fuels, like coal. Acid rain occurs when these gases react in the atmosphere with water, oxygen, and other chemicals to form various acidic compounds. The result is a mild solution of sulfuric acid and nitric acid. When sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are released from power plants and other sources, prevailing winds blow these compounds across state and national borders, sometimes over hundreds of miles. (Link)

theenergycollective

The Energy Collective is an independent, moderated community of professionals focused on the complex challenges of meeting the world's energy needs sustainably. Our members are our content contributors, and include leading scientists, activists, policy makers, executives and entrepreneurs. Our members' perspectives are as diverse as their backgrounds, but all share a commitment to respectful discourse and an appetite for innovation. We know that consensus on the way forward can only be achieved when stakeholders from all sides of the energy and climate debate have a seat at the table.

circle of blue

Circle of Blue is the international network of leading journalists, scientists and communications design experts that reports and presents the information necessary to respond to the global freshwater crisis. It is a nonprofit independent affiliate of the internationally recognized water, climate and policy think tank, the Pacific Institute. The Institute has fiduciary responsibilities for our grants and other income. Circle of Blue’s projects and journalism are independently overseen by our senior staff and advisory board. Circle of Blue publishes WaterNews, the daily go-to source for global water news and data. It is also the co-founder of the global initiative, Designing Water’s Future, which emerged from a World Economic Forum session led by Circle of Blue and Collins: Transformative Design.

water.org

The water and sanitation problem in the developing world is far too big for charity alone. We are driving the water sector for new solutions, new financing models, greater transparency, and real partnerships to create lasting change. Our vision: the day when everyone in the world can take a safe drink of water. Co-founded by Matt Damon and Gary White, Water.org is a nonprofit organization that has transformed hundreds of communities in Africa, South Asia, and Central America by providing access to safe water and sanitation. Water.org traces its roots back to the founding of WaterPartners in 1990. In July 2009, WaterPartners merged with H2O Africa, resulting in the launch of Water.org. Water.org works with local partners to deliver innovative solutions for long-term success. Its microfinance-based WaterCredit Initiative is pioneering sustainable giving in the sector.

Water Consumption

Worldwide, agriculture accounts for 70% of all water consumption, compared to 20% for industry and 10% for domestic use. In industrialized nations, however, industries consume more than half of the water available for human use. Belgium, for example, uses 80% of the water available for industry. Freshwater withdrawals have tripled over the last 50 years. Demand for freshwater is increasing by 64 billion cubic meters a year (1 cubic meter = 1,000 liters) The world’s population is growing by roughly 80 million people each year. Changes in lifestyles and eating habits in recent years are requiring more water consumption per capita. The production of biofuels has also increased sharply in recent years, with significant impact on water demand. Between 1,000 and 4,000 litres of water are needed to produce a single litre of biofuel. Energy demand is also accelerating, with corresponding implications for water demand. Almost 80% of diseases in so called "developing" countries are associated with water, causing some three million early deaths. For example, 5,000 children die every day from diarrhoea, or one every 17 seconds.

Water Spouts

Spellbound by the destructive forces of nature’s fury, we focus a morbid curiosity on twisters. Tornadoes combine more catastrophic energy in a tinier area than any other weather phenomenon. Also spawned from powerful thunderstorms, waterspouts form over warm water and sometimes move inland to join their stronger vicious sister, the tornado, and to wreak havoc on man and his environment. Here are 70 of the most wicked twisted sisters Nature has produced: tornadoes and waterspouts (Link).

The End of Abundance

David Zetland has written a very informative, accessible and necessary book which explains the reality of water scarcity and the imperative of applying sound economics and local control to what was previously the exclusive preserve of engineers and politicians. In fact, it is a book that every water engineer and local politician should read to their benefit and that of their customers and citizens. --G. Tracy Mehan, III (former Assistant Administrator for water, US Environmental Protection Agency) This is not a text for those seeking a rehash of the standard "water wars" catechism. Zetland outlines a fresh, creative approach to allocating a valuable resource in regions with competing demands. Importantly, his vision does not entail an expensive and sluggish command-and-control bureaucracy coddling whatever class of water users happen to enjoy momentary political favor. Protecting our environment, growing our food, and supplying our cities has always required the ingenuity of a free people. It is time we realized that in managing our water. --Philip Bowles (President, Bowles Farming Company) There is no scarcity of books describing the challenges the United States and nations across the globe face in managing water to meet today's needs and future demands. The good news is that effective solutions exist. The better news is that David Zetland has written a book that presents solutions to these water challenges that protect public health, ensure ecological vitality, and support economic growth. He delivers the rational way forward in a style and language that the public as well as public officials --- and if we are lucky, politicians! --- can understand and act on. --Michael Deane (Executive Director, National Association of Water Companies) Bold, provocative and refreshing -- Zetland brings common sense to the water scarcity discussion. --Spreck Rosekrans (Senior Analyst, Environmental Defense Fund) Disruptive and provocative, Zetland is the Ben Franklin of water. He hurls common sense against professional aristocrats to ensure our priceless liquid asset belongs, democratically, to 7 billion amateurs like you and me. --James Workman (Author, Heart of Dryness)

Water Aid US site

WaterAid transforms lives by improving access to safe water, hygiene and sanitation in the world's poorest communities. We work with partners and influence decision-makers to maximize our impact.. WaterAid enables the world's poorest people to gain access to safe water and sanitation. Together with improved hygiene, these basic human rights underpin health, education and livelihoods, forming the first essential step in overcoming poverty. We work with local partners, who understand local issues, and provide them with the skills and support to help communities set up and manage practical and sustainable projects that meet their real needs. We also work locally and internationally to change policy and practice and ensure that water, hygiene and sanitation's vital role in reducing poverty is recognized.. We are committed to addressing the vital need for safe water, improved hygiene and sanitation head on. We aim to increase our impact both directly on the ground through our partner organizations, and indirectly by influencing others and promoting best practice in the field and in our offices. We aim above all to be honest, accountable, effective, innovative and flexible. As a learning organization, we are constantly evolving. An emphasis on research, analysis, evaluation and dissemination is vital to our future. We rely on every member of the team - partners, donors, staff, volunteers and trustees. It is only when all parties work together that we can realize our shared vision of a world in which everyone has access to safe water and sanitation.

Save the Children

Save the Children is the leading independent organization creating lasting change in the lives of children in need in the United States and around the world. Recognized for our commitment to accountability, innovation and collaboration, our work takes us into the heart of communities, where we help children and families help themselves. We work with other organizations, governments, non-profits and a variety of local partners while maintaining our own independence without political agenda or religious orientation. When disaster strikes around the world, Save the Children is there to save lives with food, medical care and education and remains to help communities rebuild through long-term recovery programs.

What Is The Blue Path?

The writer, business journalist and environmental historian Cynthia Barnett coined the term “The Blue Path” to describe the water programs of Florida’s Eden. These programs are designed to educate us about our water and to inspire us to work together to find creative solutions for Florida’s water problems. But The Blue Path is much more than a group of programs. The Blue Path is respect for freshwater in its natural environment that provides the clean drinking water we need to survive. The Blue Path is the inspiration we find at a cold spring on a hot day and the innovation that sparks new ways to live with water. It’s the acknowledgement that healthy ecosystems are essential for a prosperous new blue-green economy.

How are Hurricanes Created?

Hurricane winds in the northern hemisphere circulate in a counterclockwise motion around the hurricane's center or "eye," while hurricane winds in the southern hemisphere circulate clockwise. The eye of a hurricane is relatively calm. It is generally 20 to 30 miles wide (the hurricane istself may extend outward 400 miles). The most violent activity takes place in the area immediately around the eye, called the "eyewall". At the top of the eyewall (up to 50,000 feet), most of the air is propelled outward, increasing the air's upward motion. Some of the air, however, moves inward and sinks into the eye, creating a cloud-free area. Hurricane winds in the northern hemisphere circulate in a counterclockwise motion around the hurricane's center or "eye," while hurricane winds in the southern hemisphere circulate clockwise. The eye of a hurricane is relatively calm. It is generally 20 to 30 miles wide (the hurricane istself may extend outward 400 miles). The most violent activity takes place in the area immediately around the eye, called the "eyewall". At the top of the eyewall (up to 50,000 feet), most of the air is propelled outward, increasing the air's upward motion. Some of the air, however, moves inward and sinks into the eye, creating a cloud-free area.

WATER CONSERVATION FACTS AND TIPS

Less than 2% of the Earth’s water supply is fresh water.

Of all the earth's water97% is salt water found in oceans and seas.

Only 1% of the earth's water is available for drinking water. Two percent is frozen.

The human body is about 75% water.

A person can survive about a month without food but only 5 to 7 days without water.

Every day in the United States we drink about 110 million gallons of water.

Landscaping accounts for about half the water Californians use at home.

Showers account for another 18 percent while toilets use about 20 percent.

Showering and bathing are the largest indoor uses (27%) of water domestically.

The average American uses 140-170 gallons of water per day.

If every household in America had a faucet that dripped once each second928 million gallons of water a day would leak away.

There are 7.48 gallons in a cubic foot of water. Therefore2000 cubic feet of water is 14960 gallons.

An acre foot of water is about 326000 gallons. One-half acre foot is enough to meet the needs of a typical family for a year. There are 7.48 gallons in a cubic foot of water.

It takes 3.3 acre feet of water to grow enough food for an average family for a year.

A leaky faucet can waste 100 gallons a day.

One flush of the toilet uses 6 ½ gallons of water.

An average bath requires 37 gallons of water.

An average family of four uses 881 gallons of water per week just by flushing the toilet.

The average 5-minute shower takes 15-25 gallons of water--around 40 gallons are used in 10 minutes.

Take short showers instead of baths. A full bathtub requires about 36 gallons of water.

You use about 5 gallons of water if you leave the water running while brushing your teeth.

If you water your grass and trees more heavily but less often this saves water and builds stronger roots.

Each person needs to drink about 2 ½quarts (80 ounces) of water every day.

Water your lawn only when it needs it. If you step on the grass and it springs back up when you move it doesn't need water. If it stays flat it does need water.

Run your dishwasher and washing machine only when they are full.

When washing a car use soap and water from a bucket. Use a hose with a shut-off nozzle for rinsing.

Never put water down the drain when there may be another use for it such as watering a plant or garden or cleaning.

Avoid flushing the toilet unnecessarily. Dispose of tissues insects and other such waste in the trash rather than the toilet.

When washing dishes by hand fill one sink or basin with soapy water.

Quickly rinse under a slow-moving stream from the faucet.

An automatic dishwasher uses 9 to 12 gallons of water while hand washing dishes can use up to 20 gallons.

Store drinking water in the refrigerator rather than letting the tap run every time you want a cool glass of water.

Water lawns during the early morning hours or evening when temperatures and wind speed are the lowest. This reduces losses from evaporation.

Do not hose down your driveway or sidewalk. Use a broom to clean leaves and other debris from these areas. Using a hose to clean a driveway wastes hundreds of gallons of water.

Don’t leave the water running when brushing your teeth or shaving. Get in the habit of turning off the water when it’s not being used.

Use of bowl of water to clean fruits & vegetables rather than running water over them. You can reuse this for your house plants.

Public water suppliers process 38 billion gallons of water per day for domestic and public use.

Approximately 1 million miles of pipelines and aqueducts carry water in the U.S. & Canada. That's enough pipe to circle the earth 40 times.

About 800000 water wells are drilled each year in the United States for domestic farming commercial and water testing purposes.

More than 13 million households get their water from their own private wells and are responsible for treating and pumping the water themselves.
Industries released 197 million pounds of toxic chemicals into waterways in 1990.

You can refill an 8-oz glass of water approximately 15000 times for the same cost as a six-pack of soda pop.

A dairy cow must drink four gallons of water to produce one gallon of milk.
300 million gallons of water are needed to produce a single day's supply of U.S. Newsprint.

One inch of rainfall drops 7000 gallons or nearly 30 tons of water on a 60' by 180' piece of land.

Water Cycle

The water cycle, also known as the hydrologic cycle or H2O cycle, describes the continuous movement of water on, above and below the surface of the Earth. Water can change states among liquid, vapor, and solid at various places in the water cycle. Although the balance of water on Earth remains fairly constant over time, individual water molecules can come and go, in and out of the atmosphere. The water moves from one reservoir to another, such as from river to ocean, or from the ocean to the atmosphere, by the physical processes of evaporation, condensation, precipitation, infiltration, runoff, and subsurface flow. In so doing, the water goes through different phases: liquid, solid, and gas. The water cycle involves the exchange of heat energy, which leads to temperature changes. For instance, in the process of evaporation, water takes up energy from the surroundings and cools the environment. Conversely, in the process of condensation, water releases energy to its surroundings, warming the environment. The water cycle figures significantly in the maintenance of life and ecosystems on Earth. Even as water in each reservoir plays an important role, the water cycle brings added significance to the presence of water on our planet. By transferring water from one reservoir to another, the water cycle purifies water, replenishes the land with freshwater, and transports minerals to different parts of the globe. It is also involved in reshaping the geological features of the Earth, through such processes as erosion and sedimentation. In addition, as the water cycle also involves heat exchange, it exerts an influence on climate as well.

Aquaponics Systems Around the World

The aquaponics systems started in ancient China in the 6th Century. The system was initiated by Chinese farmers, but at that time, it was called a flow-through system. This great idea spread all throughout Asia, and the next country who followed this system was Thailand. Just like the Chinese farmers, Thai farmers also cultivated rice together with fish in their fields. At that time, the most common kinds of fish for the aquaponics systems were the swamp eel, the oriental loach, and the crucian carp. Pond snails were sometimes grown in this system as well. With the success of the aquaponics systems in China and Thailand, other Asian countries followed suit. Just recently, Bangladesh also used the aquaponics systems to ensure the safety of food being sold in the markets. Bangladesh farmers are known for misusing agrochemicals to improve food production. Dr. M.A. Salam of the Bangladesh Agricultural University developed a low-cost model of backyard aquaponics systems with the hope that farmers will follow this model and improve food quality. Taiwan is also employing aquaponics systems to save water. This country is faced with the problem of freshwater scarcity. Farmers have to grow plants by filtering water from fish tanks. Taiwan also has its Aquaponics Association to promote the aquaponics systems all over the country. The aquaponics systems also reached North America, specifically in the United States. The initial research of the aquaponics systems in the US is attributed to the New Alchemy Institute and Mark McMurtry. There were some reports, however, that even before the aquaponics system was popularized by the New Alchemy Institute, there were already some farmers at North Carolina who was using this system. In 1997, a journal on the aquaponics systems was published by Rebecca L. Nelson and John S. Pade. In 2008, Nelson and Pade wrote and published the first book on the aquaponics systems. In 2011, the first Aquaponics Association was established in the US, and on that same year, the first Aquaponics Conference was held in Orlando, Florida. The use of the aquaponics systems also reached Canada, and its first adaptation was a small system at the Lethbridge research station. Dr. Nick Savidov made further researches and developments on the aquaponics systems. He and his team made findings on rapid root growth in aquaponics systems. Recently, the Edmonton Aquaponics Society was established in Northern Alberta, and its aquaponics systems are based on Dr. Savidov’s prototype. Barbados, a country in South America, is also experiencing water scarcity, just like Taiwan. In 2009, a program was started by an organization encouraging Barbadians to start aquaponics systems at home. Barbados is known for importing 80% of its fruits and vegetables from other countries. With the aquaponics systems, the island will become less dependent on other countries for their food. The aquaponics systems are also being utilized in Australia. However, due to differences in the available fish and plants for the system, Australia developed its own aquaponic system that is better suited to it. Tilapia, for instance, is banned in most states in Australia. As such, most in the country make use of native freshwater fish like Jade Perch, Sleepy Cod, and Barramundi.

Solar Water Disinfection

Solar water disinfection, also known as SODIS is a method of disinfecting water using only sunlight and plastic PET bottles. SODIS is a free and effective method for decentralized water treatment, usually applied at the household level and is recommended by the World Health Organization as a viable method for household water treatment and safe storage. SODIS is already applied in numerous developing countries. Educational pamphlets on the method are available in many languages, each equivalent to the English language version. Exposure to sunlight has been shown to deactivate diarrhea-causing organisms in polluted drinking water. Three effects of solar radiation are believed to contribute to the inactivation of pathogenic organisms. UV-A interferes directly with the metabolism and destroys cell structures of bacteria. UV-A (wavelength 320-400 NM) reacts with oxygen dissolved in the water and produces highly reactive forms of oxygen (oxygen free radicals and hydrogen peroxides) that are believed to also damage pathogens. Cumulative solar energy (including the infrared radiation component) heats the water. If the water temperatures rises above 50°C, the disinfection process is three times faster. At a water temperature of about 30°C (86°F), a threshold solar irradiance of at least 500 W/m2 (all spectral light) is required for about 5 hours for SODIS to be efficient. This dose contains energy of 555 Wh/m2 in the range of UV-A and violet light, 350 NM-450 NM, corresponding to about 6 hours of mid-latitude (European) midday summer sunshine. At water temperatures higher than 45°C (113°F), synergistic effects of UV radiation and temperature further enhance the disinfection efficiency.

The National Clean Water Network

Since 1992, the Clean Water Network has served public interest groups by serving as a portal for the latest news and information on federal clean water policy developments. The Network facilitates communications among member groups and coordinates joint policy and position statements as well as activities. This combination of federal policy work and field advocacy is needed to achieve a stronger national program that will help to bring polluted waterways back to health and preserve our nation’s rivers, lakes, streams, wetlands, estuaries and coastal waters. (Link)

Ocean Wave Energy

Waves are caused by the wind blowing over the surface of the ocean. In many areas of the world, the wind blows with enough consistency and force to provide continuous waves. There is tremendous energy in the ocean waves. Wave power devices extract energy directly from the surface motion of ocean waves or from pressure fluctuations below the surface. Wave power varies considerably in different parts of the world, and wave energy can't be harnessed effectively everywhere. Wave-power rich areas of the world include the western coasts of Scotland, northern Canada, southern Africa, Australia, and the northwestern coasts of the United States.

Water Sanitation & Hygiene

Around 1.1 billion people globally do not have access to improved water supply sources whereas 2.4 billion people do not have access to any type of improved sanitation facility. About 2 million people die every year due to diarrhoeal diseases, most of them are children less than 5 years of age. The most affected are the populations in developing countries, living in extreme conditions of poverty, normally peri-urban dwellers or rural inhabitants. Among the main problems which are responsible for this situation are: lack of priority given to the sector, lack of financial resources, lack of sustainability of water supply and sanitation services, poor hygiene behaviours, and inadequate sanitation in public places including hospitals, health centres and schools. Providing access to sufficient quantities of safe water, the provision of facilities for a sanitary disposal of excreta, and introducing sound hygiene behaviours are of capital importance to reduce the burden of disease caused by these risk factors.

Heart of Dryness

Most Polar Bears Gone By 2050, Studies Say. (Link)

Two-thirds of the world's polar bears could disappear by 2050 as global warming continues to melt the Arctic's sea ice, according to a series of U.S. government studies released last Friday. The new findings paint a sobering picture for polar bears, whose dependence on sea ice makes them particularly vulnerable to warming temperatures. "Our results have demonstrated that as the sea ice goes, so goes the polar bear," said Steven Amstrup, a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) wildlife research biologist in Anchorage, Alaska, and leader of the polar bear studies. USGS conducted the studies to help the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service determine whether polar bears warrant protection under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. That decision is due in January 2008.

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Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Aquaponics: The Key to a More Sustainable Future?

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