Entries from December 2007
Community-born environmental movements often bring about most significant change, particularly in countries with a lack of stringent environmental regulations.
As in the Times of India, one of many examples is a grassroots driven river restoration project occurring in Bangalore, capitol of the state of Karnataka in India. Environmentalists in the region are staging a campaign to bring attention to conservation and preservation of the Arkavathy River, tributary of the Cauvery River. Water levels in the Arkavathy River have been dropping over the past several years, as well as nearby groundwater aquifers. This campaign is part of a larger event planned for India in 2008, by leading India water scholar Rajendra Singh, called Lokadesh.
Rajendra Singh said under Lokadesh 2008, experts will take up one dead, dying or polluted river in every state for rejuvenation by adopting a decentralised, community-driven approach. Singh called for the declaration of Year 2008 as Year of River Rejuvenation.
Categories: india · sustainability
Tagged: alternatives, conservation, environment, global water, international water, lokadesh 2008, rajendra singh, water
The California Colloquium on Water is a lecture-series presented by the Water Resources Center Archives (WRCA) at the University of California – Berkley. They have made available presentations from 2001 to 2007 in video format on-line.
While many of the presentations focus on regional specific water resource issues, several topics are relevant in the international arena of watershed studies such as groundwater, water re-use, desalination, dams, and drought.
See the WRCA web-site for a compilation of past lectures.
Categories: audio · international
Tagged: conferences, environment, free school, global water, international water, presentations, video, water, workshops
The Kashmir region (India, China, and Pakistan) is hoping for additional precipitation in form of snow. The region, while traditionally arid, has received little snow or rain over the past several months to replenish waterways. December 22nd commenced an annual season of 40-days known as “Chillai Kalan”, characterized with heavy snowfall and blustery temperatures. However, as of yet, this “Chillai Kalan” has not brought the significant snowfall for which citizens have been hoping. A shortage of rain threatens many farmers in the region, including those who cultivate the famed Kashir Saffron spice (exported on the global market).
Nearly five hundred springs have dried up, and the level in the river Jhelum has fallen to a dangerously low degree. The river through the middle of the city has shrunk so low that at several places children can bee seen playing cricket on the river bed.
-Kashmir Observer
River Jhelum near Srinagar, during a time with ample flow.
Categories: agriculture · asia · drought · economy
Tagged: drought, global water, kashmir, river jhelum, saffron, water, water shortage
The Peoples Republic of China is a country of over 1.3 billion people with 20% of the world’s total population. Extensive environmental pollution in the region is often blamed on increased industrialization, with little or no environmental regulatory oversight. Water problems are many and include:
- The Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River
- South-to-North Water Diversion Project
- Increased Desertification in the North
- Industrial Discharge
- Raw Sewage Discharge
PBS produced this documentary, China From The Inside, which highlights the governmental systems and environmental problems of China. Their web-site features an interactive map, such as the one depicted below, detailing water issues in China.
This recent post on Water Wired, talks of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project in China, billed by some as the largest hydrological alteration attempted in the world.
Economically, China is beginning to make strides in the global market, but this progress is at often at the cost of the environment. Is the Communist Party of China (actually more similar to a state capitalist system) doing enough to preserve the country for future Chinese citizens?
Categories: asia · international
Tagged: environment, global water, international water, pollution, water
Bishop Cappio’s health is beginning to deteriorate, as he continues a 23-day hunger strike in a non-violent action against artificial diversion of the Sao Francisco River, fourth largest river in Brazil.
Bishop Cappio began his fast on November 27, 2007. Initially, the diversion project on the river was denied by lower courts in Brazil, but today a landmark decision approved the two-billion dollar project:
The irrigation project aims to pump water from the Sao Francisco River through 435 miles (700 km) of canals to people and farms in the arid and poor northeast, where President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was born.
- Reuters
This is the second hunger-strike employed by the Bishop against artificial diversion of the Sao Francisco River (the first was in 2005). 
He is very worried about the negative effects this irrigation project will have: greatly minimizing flows of the river limiting irrigation water available for local, less affluent individuals, and a dire ecological outcome to an already unhealthy ecosystem.
While Vatican and Brazilian officials plead with the Bishop to conclude the fast, he had indicated he has no intentions to take nourishment until the project is denied, once and for all.
Categories: international · sustainability
Tagged: bishop cappio, conservation, environment, global water, international water, protest, sao francisco river, water
Water, is taught by thirst.
“Water, is taught by thirst.
Land — by the Oceans passed.
Transport — by throe
Peace — by its battles told
Love, by Memorial Mold
Birds, by the Snow.”
-Emily Dickinson
Categories: poetry · quote of the day
Tagged: emily dickinson, environment, poetry, water
Nepal, land on the edge of the mighty Himalayas. Although rather small (only the size of Arkansas), Nepal is known the world over for Mount Everest, highest mountain in the world (elevation 29,029 feet).
As the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change wraps-up in Bali, Nepali officials are worried water supplies may become even more stressed with loss of glacial sources in the Hindu-Kush, especially with hesitancy of the US and Canada to agree to any definitive carbon emission cessation.
Water shortages in Nepal are nothing new. The diverse elevation and terrain, leaves lowlands hot and humid while alpine regions are cold and remote. Sanitation and water infrastructure have continuously presented difficulties in places such as Madhyapur Thimi and areas of Kathmandu Valley. Approximately 13,000 children die each year from lack of potable water.
Individuals who reside in mountainous regions in Nepal use less than 5 liters (1.3 gallons) of water per day. Nepal’s rivers (driven by snow-melt) are already showing signs of decreasing flows. Further, water wars are expected to ensue between many countries that rely on glacial melt in the Himalayas for water supply including India and China.
A step in the right direction, organizations such as Nepal Water For Health are encouraging better access to sanitation, as well utilization of alternative water supply systems such as rainwater collection and fog collection systems (such as the one depicted below), and water conservation measures as drip irrigation.
Categories: asia · climate change · india · united nations
Tagged: alternatives, climate change, environment, glacial retreat, global water, himilayas, international water, united nations, water
December 9, 2007 · 1 Comment
An industrious friend of mine is planning life off of the grid. She will grow her own food, utilize alternative forms of energy, and supply her own water (without having to dig a well). Recently, she questioned, is it possible to provide water for a home using only rainwater?
In my neighborhood in Washington, many people use barrels under gutters to collect rain from the roof for simple gardening needs. However, a home in this area that ‘harvests‘ rainwater for all household needs is few and far between.
Simple rainwater system. Photo courtesy, World Hunger Year.
The average American uses 80 to 100 gallons of water per day for cooking, washing, bathing, and cleaning. Although, it is possible to build a home in the United States that uses only rainwater (with a few water conservation measure implemented, of course) for all of these daily needs.
The amount of water supplied through rainfall events depends largely on location. Even areas with little precipitation are able to capture sufficient amounts of rainwater during seasonal occurrences, as evidenced in India. If you know average precipitation , it is possible to calculate the amount of rainfall available for capture using simple math, as shown in this post on Rain Barrel.net.
After determining the amount of rainfall possible for capture, system design should evaluate the following parameters:
1. Collection Methods
2. Storage Methods
3. Water Conveyance
4. Treatment Process
This guide, published by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, provides a wonderful overview of Harvesting, Storing, and Treating Rainwater for Indoor Domestic Use.
While homes in the US relying on rainwater for all needs are not very common, there are people using such systems with great success. Understanding and installing rainwater catchment systems now could greatly reduce risks associated with decreased water availability in the future.
Home in San Juan County, Washington using only rainwater. Photo courtesy Rainshadow Solar, Inc.
Categories: india · sustainability
Tagged: alternatives, conservation, drinking water, environment, rainwater, rainwater catchment, rainwater harvesting, water
Previously, on this water web-log, we have heard of Israel’s attempts to become the next “Silicon Valley” of water technology. Right on schedule, other investment minded countries are jumping on-board.
Singapore has stepped-up with hopes of being a major water-technology provider for Asian countries, as reviewed on Earthtimes. The island of Singapore, south of Malaysia, began serious investment inquiries of the water industry in 2006, with major political funding aimed at such measures. And, a track-record of being able to provide sustainable supplies of water to citizens in a water scarce country, certainly helps to poise the country to step into such a role with ease. China is already beginning to take much interest in this small city-state’s ability to utilize water technology.
Downtown Singapore sky-line (at the entrance of the Strait of Malacca), photo courtesy National Geographic.
Categories: asia · economy · technology
Tagged: conservation, environment, global water, international water, technology, water, water technology
