‘Water Scarcity’, the most commonly heard complaint all over the world, especially the developing countries where people struggle to get water even for drinking. The governments of all these countries have introduced ideas like rain water harvesting to make this problem a little easier, but these projects didn’t click- blame corruption or cost, people are the sufferers.

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California is emerging on the world map as one city that loves adopting eco-friendly measures! � The latest addition in its green repertoire is the water conservation plan which began last year. The latter’s pay off is evident in the form of millions of gallons of (precious) water being saved. The city’s Long Beach Water Department adopted a strict water conservation plan in the wake of an impending drought like situation. The court’s directives on limiting the import of water from Northern California further led the water department of Long Beach to adopt measures that direct the city dwellers to judicially use water in their activities (especially outdoor applications). The water department also made use of media (print, online and television ads) to actively educate and promote this green move among the city’s inhabitants.

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This year in July Southern California sold 1.85 billion + gallons of water, a figure 13 percent less than July2007’s consumption records. Also, the water saving drive has resulted in a sixteen percent drop if one picks up the data of ten yrs average! When asked how the city managed to effectively employ water-conservation, Ryan Alsop (Director of public affairs, Long Beach Water Department) said, “We work with businesses to convert landscaping, and revert to reclaimed water”. The plan thus included slashing water consumption and its wastage in residential as well as business sectors of the city. The modus operandi employed till date includes offering efficiency rebates to companies and restaurants, promoting the use of effective plumbing devices like irrigation controls, shower heads& toilets. Incentives like a rebate of $60 per unit was given to those restaurants which opted for the use of pre-rinse spray heads and installation of high-efficiency urinals fetched a rebate between
$200 - $400. The department looks forward to a further more efficient implementation of this conservation drive in the upcoming three years.
The move taken by Long Beach water department is indeed encouraging and it is interesting to note that the water-conservation plan is well carved out. By using sustainable techniques and efficient equipments the city sure wants to embark on a green and ecologically safe future. Its time that other should follow this example!
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Via: greenbiz

All over the world Brazil stands fourth in green house emanations just after China, U.S and Indonesia as deforestation rate is gradually increasing there. It holds around 60% of Amazon Rainforest area therefore it transpires to be principally accountable for conserving their surroundings. Recently, Brazil’s President has commenced an international fund to safeguard valuable Rainforest and it has been held firmly that nations giving their financial support would not be tolerated to probe concerning the conservation endeavors.

The management of finances collected from worldwide fund would be taken over by a Brazilian Government bank. Augmentation ventures like condom making from tree rubber and various other advanced scientific researches would also be shored up by these globally received funds. I hope this unwavering stride towards the greener world may positively pull off triumph in impending future.

Via AFP

What happens when we do not switch off that light in the room before leaving it? Or when we cook elaborate meals on pans and not the pressure cooker? Or even when we go to meet a couple of friends on an evening out with each of us going the same way from the same place in different cars? Does it really matter if we let the water running while we are doing the dishes; it only makes it easier, doesn’t it? Well, while all these things make life easier for us, what we are implicitly doing is literally murdering our children. It might sound a little radical but come to think about it, if there is no earth to live on, no food to eat, no air to breathe, is there really any chance for the future generations? What seems trivial now has grave consequences if we, the most advanced species on the planet, the one that’s been blessed with intellect and wisdom; do not look at the bigger picture. With the polar ice melting faster than we speak, what are the most definitive ramifications of global warming? Let me put it in simple words. The ice is melting and in a couple of decades it would be nonexistent. Hundreds of thousands of species co-existing in that ecosphere would perish which would inadvertently mean a huge chaos in the food chain. These species have already started to show disturbing behavioral changes. Without the ice, the layer of coolness, so to speak, would cease to be and that would mean that the earth would be warmer. Think of the bread that you eat every day. Wheat production relies heavily on that layer of coolness. Connect the dots. Do the math. You remember hurricane Katrina. Think of the damage cause due to hurricane Katrina and multiply it with thousand and that would give you a conservative figure of damage cause when cities after cities will drown. Irony of it all, water everywhere and yet not enough.

What needs to be done? We need to use that wisdom and listen to the inner voice every time we do something that we know to be harmful for our planet. Turn off that power switch, rethink that car-pool, turn off the tap, and plant that extra tree. There’s so much more that needs to be done. Don’t you think that what would have happened if the billions of dollars spent in creating bombs and other weapons of mass destruction were spent on taking definitive measures to counter global warming? We need to make a choice. We can either chose to live or chose to perish.

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via Source

Tuatara, the ancient reptile found in New Zealand is under survival threat from none other than global warming. Also, known as a “living fossil” / “living dinosaur”, this reptile has lived on our planet from the past 220 million years! That’s quite a long time. But now, this endangered animal known for its “spiny back” is facing extreme pressure on survival front due to rising global temperatures. The phenomenon of climate change has started showing its true colors in various parts of the world now. In wake of an impending threat to humans due to catastrophic events popping out as a result of both global warming and climate change, one can only imagine what little chance a reptilian species has! Tuatara is one of the oldest and relatively un-evolved species alive today. Commonly mistaken for lizards or mini crocs this animal is very different from the two and has a very primitive bone structure.

Reptiles as such are known for their sensitivity to thermal changes. Mostly being endothermic or cold-blooded creatures, the population of reptiles faces a challenge when their breeding cycles get disturbed owing to fluctuations in temperature. Something similar is happening with this New Zealandian reptile as well. Australian researches predict that with every 3-4 degree rise in air temperature the tuatara will only be able to produce male offspring by 2085. This means complete wipeout of females of the species! The researchers say their finding highlights the need for ways to predict climate change impacts in animals where sex of the offspring is determined by temperature.

A radio interview with Dr. Nicola Mitchell, from the Centre for Evolutionary Biology at the University of Western Australia, on www.radioaustralia.net reveals that by the predicted time frame, the sex change in tuatara newborns will lead to a drastic situation. In a scenario where no biological females would be found, the species will face a big question mark upon its reproductive propagation in natural habitats. Upon being asked by presenter Steve Holland as to what could be the preventive measure to this situation,

Dr. Mitchell informed about the ongoing breeding program that might be the only hope to see the species flourish some 75yrs ahead in future. But, she had her doubts on the profound effects of such artificial intervening measures. We all know that nature has her own mechanisms and one of the most powerful of them being natural selection followed by reproduction of animal species which leads to variation. The latter being very important from the point of view of survival of any species on earth.

Reflecting upon the grave issue, I’m just left wondering when are we actually going to start respecting other organisms as living beings, esply. Those, who have been sharing Earth for millions of years with us!

The picture is taken from nationalgeographic.com

Via RadioAustralia