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carolina

by carolina on January 22, 2009 · 3 comments

in WATER


Do we need it? The era of cheap water is nearly over says a report by the Pacific Institute in California. A swelling global population, changing diets and mankind’s expanding “water footprint”  have led ecologists to forecast “peak ecological water” — the point where, like the concept of “peak oil”, the world has to confront a natural limit on something once considered virtually infinite.

Off-gridders have to look at their water supply, and ask “is it really secure?”

The world is in danger of running out of “sustainably managed water”, according to Peter Gleick, Pacific Institute president and a leading authority on global freshwater resources.

A key element to tackling the crisis, say experts, is to

»Keep reading 'Peak water'

Dumpster diving

December 20, 2008
Dumpster diving

Dive, dive, dive Alex Barnard knows Dumpster diving.

He got about half his food digging through supermarket trash last summer while he was living in New York City.

All the furniture in his Princeton University dorm room came from things other folks threw away.

Even his favorite pair of jeans - Banana Republics - were scrounged up from somebody else's garbage.

»Keep reading 'Dumpster diving'

I love my composting loo

November 14, 2008
I love my composting loo

DIY Water activists The Greywater Guerillas have a book out. Its called Dam Nation: Dispatches from the Water Underground and its damn good.

One section deals with the practicalities of the composting loo in an urban area - risks include the "post traumatic neighbor" who reports the author to the authorities for creating insanitary conditions. But undeterred she says "I love my composting loo," and she is never going back.

»Keep reading 'I love my composting loo'

A future with no plastic

November 13, 2008
A future with no plastic

Stop plastic everywhere Many are wondering how they can help the United States reduce its dependency on foreign oil. The obvious first step is to drive less and turn the thermostat down. But, there are other simple ways that every American can make painless choices that reduce our nation's dependency on Middle Eastern petroleum.

According to the Chlorophiles Group, plastic manufacturing accounts for more than 4% of world crude oil use. That does not include the energy involved in transporting plastic materials.

»Keep reading 'A future with no plastic'

Toilet worms ‘traumatised’

December 22, 2007
Toilet worms ‘traumatised’Save the worms! A New Zealand inventor with a new kind of anaerobic toilet has had some trouble with the thought police. He was told to get an expert's report on the mental impact of his "wormorator" on the tiger worms being used in the composting toilet he has developed. City officials became concerned that the creatures might become traumatised by the procedure. Coll Bell from Auckland says the official felt the worms were being unfairly treated and that it could affect them in a psychological way. Mr Bell was told he had to get someone with the necessary qualifications to say the worms were happy.

»Keep reading 'Toilet worms ‘traumatised’'

Bush’s power obsession

December 9, 2007
Bush’s power obsessionSurvival of the fittest George Bush takes his 90-minute mountain bike workouts so seriously, he recently obtained a power meter to measure how much wattage he can produce.Its only one step from here to a machine which turns that wattage into usable energy. Next -- a human inverter - which transfers the kinetic energy from our bodies into our mobile or handheld appliances. Meters allow you to see the actual work that your body is doing in watts, rather than watching how your body is responding to the demands of the training as is the case with heart rate, that will vary depending upon temperature, altitude, hydration and so forth. Bush has a regular posse of eight to 10 cyclists who typically join him for his weekend rides. The US President is obsessed with the metrics of biking, closely measuring the miles traversed and the calories burned. Is possible to rent a meter from 50 a month in the UK or buy it from 899 on Cycle Power Meters web site.

»Keep reading 'Bush’s power obsession'

Paul McCartney advocates vegetarianism

December 9, 2007
Paul McCartney advocates vegetarianismRebuilding his life Paul McCartney advocates vegetarianism as a way for everybody to "do their bit" for the planet. In a letter to the UK Press Association, he outlined the dramatic effects eating meat has on the planet.The musician drew attention to a United Nations report which found that the livestock sector generates more greenhouse gas emissions than transport. "That this message comes directly from an authoritative body such as the UN (whose member states, it should be remembered, are not generally considered vegetarian) rather than an organisation committed to vegetarianism is significant. "What I think is especially compelling is that this report should now encourage everybody to 'do their bit' for the planet

»Keep reading 'Paul McCartney advocates vegetarianism'

Ancient wisdom meets new-tech

December 1, 2007
Ancient wisdom meets new-techBrazilian eco-town Environmental sustainability and low impact are at the top of the agenda in in Brazil -- driving some of the most interesting natural architecture projects. From the choice of the materials to the way they are used, the so-called Ecovilas (Ecovillages) are icons of sustainable design and life style. Many groups are trying to make a difference by going off-grid the native Americans' way.

»Keep reading 'Ancient wisdom meets new-tech'