Circle of Blue: 10 Things You Should Know About Water

Reminding ourselves, and others, about water facts is always a good idea. The more we think about water, the more likely we are to cut down on how much we use.

Circle of Blue has compiled an excellent list of information with the goal of solving the world's water crisis. A PDF of the information below is available on their website. I'm printing it out and posting it in my apartment building's common area to serve as reminder to my neighbors. I hope you'll do the same.

Here's what you'll find in the Circle of Blue list:

10 Things You Should Know:

1 – One drop of oil can make up to 25 liters (6.6 gallons) of water undrinkable.

2 – Seventy percent of the world’s water is used for agriculture, 22 percent for industry and 8 percent for domestic use. Low and middle income countries use 82 percent of their water for agriculture, 10 percent for industry and 8 percent for domestic use. High income countries use 30 percent of their water for agriculture, 59 percent for industry and 11 percent for domestic use.

3 – A person is able to survive one month without food but only five to seven days without water.

4 – Of all the Earth’s water, 97.5 percent is salt and 2.5 is fresh. Of that water, about 70 percent is locked in glacial ice and 30 percent in soil, leaving under 1 percent (.007 percent of the total water) readily accessible for human use.

5 – A water footprint, or virtual water, is the amount of water used in the entire production and/or growth of a specific product. For example, 1 kilogram (2.2 lbs) of beef has a water footprint of 16,000 liters (4,226.8 gallons); one sheet of paper has a water footprint of 10 liters (2.6 gallons); one cup of tea has a water footprint of 35 liters (9.2 gallons); and one microchip has a water footprint of 32 liters (8.5 gallons).

6 – It takes 94.5 to 189.3 liters of water (25 to 50 gallons) to take a five-minute shower; 7.6 to 26.5 liters (2-7 gallons) to flush a toilet; 7.6 liters (2 gallons) to brush one’s teeth; and 75.7 liters (20 gallons) to hand wash dishes.

7 – 6,000 children die each day from preventable water-related diseases.

8 – The population of the United States is approximately 304 million; the population of Europe is approximately 732.7 million; 1.1 billion people lack adequate drinking water access; and 2.6 billion people lack basic water sanitation.

9 – The average American uses about 575 liters of water (151.9 gallons) per day, with about 60 percent of that being used out-of-doors (watering lawns, washing cars, etc.). The average European uses 250 liters of water (66 gallons) per day. 1.1 billion people lack adequate water access, using less than 19 liters (5 gallons) per day.

10 – The average American uses 30.3 times more water than a person who lacks adequate water access; the average European uses 13.2 times more water than a person who lacks adequate water access.

Read more at Circle of Blue, download the PDF and subscribe to their mailing list: http://www.circleofblue.org/waternews/2009/world/infographic-ten-things-you-should-know-about-water/ 

Toxic Power Plants Are Polluting Our Waterways

Help WaterKeeper Alliance spread the word:

        After more than 30 years of delay, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency must finalize the first-ever limits on toxic water pollution from coal-fired power plants in time to meet a court-ordered deadline this September. Two years ago, the agency proposed a wide array of regulatory options, which range from impermissibly-weak to highly-protective of public health. 

        Coal-fired power plants are the largest source of toxic water pollution in America. Collectively, these Industrial-Age relics dump billions of pounds of pollution directly into rivers, lakes, and other waterways each year, more than the next nine most polluting industries combined. In spite of this, there are no uniform national limits on the amount of toxic pollutants like arsenic, lead, and mercury that dirty power plants may release into public waters.

        Toxic water pollution from coal-fired power plants threatens the public's right to safely recreate and fish on waterways, and has real impacts on public health. The vast majority of power plants discharge within five miles of a drinking water source, already contaminating close to 400 sources. This increases the risk and cost to make water safe for families, schools, businesses and communities. Considering the massive impact that discharges from power plants have on the health of our waterways and the public, it is incredible that there are no federal limitations on the level of toxins that can be released. Our waterways and communities should be protected from the tons of heavy metals that are released by coal-fired power plants 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Take action here: http://salsa3.salsalabs.com/o/50474/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=16181

Lake Michigan Reveals Its Secrets

This 133-foot long wooden steamer, the Rising Sun, is in 6 to 12 feet of
water just north of Pyramid Point, where she stranded on October 29, 1917.
All 32 people on board were saved. (U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City)

I did not know that the Great Lakes had a special time of year when, after the winter ice melts and "before summer sediment swirls and algae blooms," the water is so clear that you can see shipwrecks on the lake floor.

Here's an excerpt from the Smithsonian article:


        The U.S. Coast Guard Air Station in Traverse City noted the crystal clear water conditions and the lost ships during a routine patrol. Last week, they posted a handful of pictures to their Facebook page. The images come from the area near Sleeping Bear Point known as the Manitou Passage Underwater Preserve, which is "one of the richest areas in Michigan for shipwreck diving," according to the preserve’s website. The lumber industry put the area on a shipping route. The North and South Manitou Islands, just north of the point, provided a somewhat sheltered area for ships hiding from storms.

       Not much is known about most of the wrecks, but they do include one doomed vessel, the James McBride, which was thought to be the first to carry cargo from the Atlantic Ocean to Lake Michigan in 1848. Facebook commenters helped fill in some of the blanks, but most the historic details are still, well, watery. 



Read the full article and see more images here from Smithsonian.com: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/sunken-ships-lake-michigan-are-visible-ghostly-blue-180955108/?utm_source=facebook.com&no-ist

World Water Council On The Water Crisis

Here's what the World Water Council has to say about the future and water:

       

        
"While the world's population tripled in the 20th century, the use of renewable water resources has grown six-fold. Within the next fifty years, the world population will increase by another 40 to 50%. This population growth - coupled with industrialization and urbanization - will result in an increasing demand for water and will have serious consequences on the environment."

It's interesting to note that the Council also states that the problem is not about having too little water but in managing water as a resource. Here are some suggestions on how the Council thinks we might tackle the issue:

Saving water resources

        Whatever the use of freshwater (agriculture, industry, domestic use), huge saving of water and improving of water management is possible. Almost everywhere, water is wasted, and as long as people are not facing water scarcity, they believe access to water is an obvious and natural thing. With urbanization and changes in lifestyle, water consumption is bound to increase. However, changes in food habits, for example, may reduce the problem, knowing that growing 1kg of potatoes requires only 100 litres of water, whereas 1 kg of beef requires 13 000 litres.

Improving drinking water supply

        Water should be recognized as a great priority. One of the main objectives of the World Water Council is to increase awareness of the water issue. Decision-makers at all levels must be implicated. One of the Millenium Development Goals is to halve, by 2015, the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water and sanitation. To that aim, several measures should be taken:

•      guarantee the right to water;
•      decentralise the responsibility for water;
•      develop know-how at the local level;
•      increase and improve financing;
•      evaluate and monitor water resources.

Improving transboundary cooperation

        As far as transboundary conflicts are concerned, regional economic developement and cultural preservation can all be strengthened by states cooperating of water. Instead of a trend towards war, water management can be viewed as a trend towards cooperation and peace. Many initiatives are launched to avoid crises. Institutional commitments like in the Senegal River are created. In 2001, Unesco and Grenn Cross International have joined forces in response to the growing threat of conflicts linked to water. They launched the joint From Potential Conflicts to Co-Operation Potential programme to promote peace in the use of transboundary watercourses by addressing conflicts and fostering co-operation among states and stakeholders.

Read more from the World Water Council at: http://www.worldwatercouncil.org/library/archives/water-crisis/

Nepal Earthquake & Water Crisis

Indian soldiers arrive with supplies at the Tribhuwan International Airport  - http://www.timesunion.com/news/slideshow/Nation-World-photos-967.php

The people of Nepal are in great need of humanitarian aid following the magnitude 7.8 earthquake of April 25th. For a poor, landlocked country of nearly 29 million people, safe drinking water was already a huge problem. In light of the devastating earthquake, the crisis has surely reached epic proportions.

When I talk to people about water and its importance, most agree. Not too many see it as a pressing issue though. Sometimes I ask people to follow my blog or Facebook page of the same name, and they say they will when they can "get around to it."

In the aftermath of a crisis, like the earthquake in Nepal, time is precious. The people suffering there can't wait for the world to "get around to" providing aid - especially in providing clean drinking water. The death toll so far has already reached 1,900 people, and that's just from the quake itself. What will become of those who are injured and other survivors? They are going to need water for many uses. Plenty of water!

UNOCHA, USAID and other organizations are already either on the ground, or on the way to Nepal. Let's hope that food, water and medical supplies quickly reach those in need. For those of us who can, we can contribute to the aid organizations in order to support the relief efforts in Nepal.

At the same time, we must remember to not take our resources for granted. Be mindful when you use water no matter what you're using it for. Only a small portion of the world's water is safe for human consumption. We are heading for days when a shortage of water will be felt in many places around the world, where it is not only related to some sort of a disaster.

Water is everything...Water is life...


Please Like the Occupy Your Water Rights Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Occupy-Your-Water-Rights/317137214999301?ref=hl

Worldwide Water Crisis

To get a clear picture of the issues surrounding access to clean and safe water throughout the world, I recommend doing an Internet search now and then for: worldwide water crisis. You'll find sites that cover news on areas considered to be in a current water crisis, such as with droughts or water contamination. You'll also find some staggering information about the everyday facts and figures related to water.

Today, doing on such search, I came across the Blue Planet Network and this headline: 

What makes clean water so important?

Unsafe water is the leading cause of sickness and death.

Blue Planet Network tells us that unsafe water kills 200 children every hour of everyday, and provides us with these facts and figures:

• 3.41 million people die from water, sanitation and hygiene-related causes each year.
• Half of the world's hospital beds are filled with people suffering from water related illnesses.
• It is estimated that nearly 10% of the global disease burden could be reduced through improved water supply, sanitation, hygiene, and water resource management.

Blue Planet Network also tells us that nearly a billion people are in need of access to safe drinking water and that unsafe water is the leading cause of sickness and death.

There is something we can do to improve the lives of others. Consider getting involved in, or donating to, a water initiative in your area today. 

Read the full article and other information at Blue Planet Network: http://blueplanetnetwork.org/water/

Seven Water Organizations You Should Know

Water organizations and companies throughout the world are doing what they can to bring awareness about clean water, water scarcity, water rights, bringing clean water to underdeveloped nations, and developing water efficiency initiatives.

GOODNET - Gateway to Doing Good, brings us this list:

7 Water Organizations You Should Know

Clean water as a right, not a privilege

1.CHARITY:WATER

WHAT Nonprofit  that brings clean and safe drinking water to people in developing
countries.

2.MIYA

WHAT Good doing company that provides comprehensive urban water efficiency
solutions.

3.WATER.ORG

WHAT Nonprofit co-founded by Matt Damon and Gary White that provides access to
safe water and sanitation in developing countries.

4.COLUMBIA WATER CENTER (CWC)

WHAT A part of the Earth Institute, Columbia Water Center researches and designs
sustainable models of water management.

5.THREE AVOCADOS

WHAT A social enterprise that generates funds for clean water in Africa through the
sale of coffee.

6.WATERISLIFE

WHAT A nonprofit that brings clean water to those in need through short and long
term solutions.

7.PUREMADI

WHAT A nonprofit comprised of faculty and students of University of Virginia who are
creating water filtering technologies that improve human health and quality of life.

To read more about these organizations and companies, go to the original article at GOODNET: http://www.goodnet.org/articles/1000

Please Like the Occupy Your Water Rights page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Occupy-Your-Water-Rights/317137214999301?ref=hl