With fresh water levels decreasing worldwide, and rumors increasing that water might be the NEXT oil or gold, its no surprise that we start to conserve and track our supplies.
That’s where the water footprint comes in…
Its a way to measure how much water is needed to produce common items like our cars, food, clothing, and even…humans!
Well yah…it makes sense we are mostly water.
It so happens that China, India. and US have the largest footprints..big surprise at 13%, 12%, and 9% respectively.
But seriously, this is a great idea that will only help us monitor future supplies better.
My Thought: Were already got our earth footprint being calculated, so why not be more specific and calculate our water footprint. Or better yet, the water that collects in our footprint!
Check out the full blog below by Tim from The Future is Green at http://greenfuture.blogspot.com/
"Between increasing agricultural demand and changing climate patterns, water resources are increasingly coming under stress. Countries such as India and China pump more water for agriculture than is replenished. China has effectively run out of water. The Yellow River rarely reaches to the sea anymore, while hundreds of villages have had to relocate because their water supply disappeared. Indian farmers pump 250 cubic kilometers of water a year for irrigation while only 150 cubic kilometers is replaced by rainfall. In Australia, six years of drought have eliminated most of that countries ability to export foods. In the U.S. Southwest, a rapidly growing population combined with decreasing rainfalls has created great stress over the distribution of water supplies.
In order to get a better idea of the world’s water use, the concept of the water footprint was introduced in 2002 as a way of measuring the total volume of fresh water used to produce the goods and services consumed by a nation. The water footprint includes the water content of goods imported into the country minus goods exported. Water used to produced goods for export is called virtual water. Major water exporters include The United States, Canada, Austria, Argentina, and Thailand. Major importers of virtual water include Japan, Sri Lanka, Italy, South Korea, and the Netherlands. Trade in virtual water is estimated to be around a thousand cubic kilometers a year—the equivalent of 20 river Niles. Much of this trade is going to the wealthy nations from countries that are over pumping their ground water.
India and China and the U.S. have the largest water footprints, consuming 13%, 12%, and 9% respectively of the world total. The U.S. has the largest per capita footprint, at 2480 cubic meters of water per person per year, more than three times that of India and China. A major factor contributing to the U.S.’s high per capita foot print is its high level of meat consumption. One hamburger, for example, requires 2400 liters of water to produce. A pair of leather shoes uses 8000 liters. On the other hand, a slice of bread only requires 40 liters.
Climate change and overuse of ground water are impacting the water footprints of some countries. The amount of the earth’s surface that is suffering drought has more than doubled in the past 30 years, partially the result of rising temperatures. Severe droughts have plagued both in China and Australia. Before its six year drought began, Australia was a major rice exporter. Now its rice crop has declined by 90%. India, China and Pakistan pump an estimated 400 kilometers of water a year from the ground, about twice the amount that is replenished by rainfall. Even as India depletes its aquifers, it remains a major exporter of water, through its food exports.
At the same time, fresh-water consumption worldwide has more than doubled since World War II to nearly 4,000 cubic kilometers annually and set to rise another 25 percent by 2030, says a 2007 report by the Zurich-based Sustainable Asset Management group investment firm. Up to triple that is available for human use, so there should be plenty, the report says. But waste, climate change, and pollution have left clean water supplies running short.
India, which faces some of the worst water shortages, and which is still a net exporter of virtual water, has adopted some of the most innovative ways to increase its water supply by harvesting rainwater. India’s monsoon weather results in large amounts of evaporation and runoff so India has returned to an age old practice of harvesting the rainwater. By adopting the very simple technology of harnessing rainwater, some villages have solved the perennial problem of drought.
The village of Rajsamadhiya has used rainwater harvesting to turn a near-desert landscape with empty wells into a land of trees and ponds, full wells and abundant crops. While other nearby villages rely on government water tankers to provide drinking water, Rajsamadhiya has been self sufficient for more than 10 years.
Rajsamadhiya is an example for the rest of the world which will have to face the consequences of resource exhaustion. They have found their salvation in simple, energy efficient technologies, resurrected from older times and implemented on a community level. Less and local has rewarded them with a new abundance of food and prosperity."
-credits to Tim from The Future is Green at http://greenfuture.blogspot.com/
Leave the miles on that interstate highway for your hometown road! Cause this vacation just got local.
Ever heard of a “staycation?” I just did…its a way to learn about your own city’s culture.
What better way to save on gas and learn about your surroundings…hmm
My Thoughts: It can be cheaper, depending on where you go. You can save on fuel entering the stratosphere with planes. But, you could end up doing just as much driving if your still trying to figure out where’s what in your town. Take a GPS with you, and you’ll save yourself some miles driving around.
Check out the original blog below by “The Environmental Blogger at http://www.theenvironmentalblog.org/
"High fuel prices putting a hamper on your vacation plans this summer? Try out a "staycation". It's the new buzz word which encourages people to take a vacation at home and be a tourist of your own city. Chances are, you haven't experienced everything there is to your local region. Now this idea and concept all depend on where you live although even if you live in a rural location, try taking hikes on unknown trails or visiting a nearby museum.
If you live on the west coast or the east coast, try visiting the ocean. The beach is always fun weather it is off the hot southern California coastline or the rocky tide pools off of Oregon's coast, there is always some great summer adventures.
Staycations are a great way to save money with the rising costs of fuel. Personally, as I have stated in the past, don't drive unless absolutely necessary. Something I did this summer so far which I have never done before is ride my bike to the local farms right outside of town and picked berries from them in the sun. It supports the local farmers, it's therapeutic to be out in the sun, and it's fun.
In this unruly economy, people are just now beginning to think more creatively when trying to save money. I am personally all for the localization of the economy. What are your thoughts about staycations? What are you doing to save money?"
-credits given to the environmental blog, http://www.theenvironmentalblog.org/
A car running on water. Forget splitting the hydrogren before…This car does it for you.
And with the rising gas prices…it makes you wonder why more people aren’t buying the idea.
The company that creates this system, Genepax won’t disclose the specifics of the process.
We are left wondering whats the catch?
My thoughts: Stick with your current car. The system is very pricey $18,700. Then again if you got the money whats another $20,000.
And if you got a fuel guzzler…well it might be only 10 thousand more a year…
Here’s a new electric roadster we can expect to grace the roads in the next year.
My Thoughts: We need to get eco-cars that are going to promote the eco-living market, not turn people away. Is this the best our fellow eco-motorists can create for us. This car is one ugly vehicle, but don’t tell the car I said that.
Final Thoughts: If you like hip and ugly then this is a great buy for you. From a practical standpoint, its small, great for parking, fuel efficient, and dare I say a head turner.
Article below is from Michael d’Estries from http://www.groovygreen.com/ | August 13, 2008
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In an effort to integrate a solar panel into the roof line of a smart fortwo clone, an EV firm out of Boston has created what looks to be one of the ugliest electric vehicles ever to grace our eyes. As Autoblog mentioned, “It looks like a Scion swallowed a canoe.”
Still, we’re intrigued by any electric vehicle and the Sunmotor is certainly unique in its execution of green technology. From Autoblog,
“The company believes it can get 160 miles per charge, though only with a top speed of 25 miles per hour. Plus, with 10 horsepower pushing around 2,600 pounds of mass, the supposed acceleration of 0-25 in 5 seconds sounds rather optimistic.”
Eh, only 25 mph? This thing might only be good for the golf course or small gated community. You might be better off saving for the upcoming electric Mini.
-Michael d'Estries from http://www.groovygreen.com/ | August 13, 2008
In case you missed it, we talked about this new BEER PONG SOLAR TABLE on last night’s episode.
JJ’s thoughts:
It’s great as a novelty item, but not really practical in terms of functionality and cost!
Check out article below taken from NICK at ECOFUSS.COM.
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“By Nick |August 8, 2008
Engadget just reported that the eco friendly not so splendid SunTable is now officially launched, and shipping for $2,200. As its name suggests, the table is made of solar panels which generates electricity to be stored in a 120 volt battery on the table. The table provides 150 watts of power (a few hours of laptop usage) and recharges in four hours of sunlight.
While the table is kind of interesting, it’s pretty pointless for $2,200. It has a nice design, is very sturdy and durable, and could really impress your fellow high rolling friends, but it’s definitely not worth the all eco fuss. It seems to be too short for it’s only practical usage as an outdoor beer pong table, and considering it’s price is equivalent to 146 cases of cheap beer (3500 beers!) it does not seem economical enough to serve its party, beer pong, tippy cup purpose.”
I’m Alex, and along with Moe and Steve, I’m responsible for a lot of the show’s writing and content. I wanted to send out a post to you all updating you on the exciting and accelerating future of FB&G, the new series on JuntoVenture.
With JJ’s move down to LA (the rest of us are still up in the SF Bay Area), we’re working on some production and distribution deals that will allow us to develop more episodes more frequently. We’ve put together a list of show ideas that we want to see happen. To give you a taste, how about green travel (“Should I take the plane or the train to Hawaii?”), green rides (trickin’ out the hoopdie with biofuel), and creative ways to recycle (“It’s not a milk carton… It’s my art.”)? We now have a formal show bible, treatment, episode guide, and other pitch materials. We think that with this documentation (shared electronically, of course) we’ve got a marketable, workable vision that will continue to be received eagerly by the media industry and community.
The pace has been through the roof (that’s OK… now we can replace it with one made from sod). We’re really in the pre-production phase, but we are looking to roll out 13 new ones shortly. Naturally, we will keep you posted on release dates and more generally what to look out for.
Keep coming back to the JuntoVenture site, and we’ll keep working on high-quality, entertaining content.
JuntoVenture holds nationwide Think Green, Live Green Challenge; inspiring discussion about eco-friendly living
In an effort to get the nation acting on earth-inspired ideas, JuntoVenture, a non-profit environmental organization, is hosting a multi-media challenge entitled “The Think Green, Live Green Challenge.” JuntoVenture created the interactive challenge to build a community of dialog about the challenges of eco-friendly living. Fun and simple questions about eco-friendly living have been posted on their website at www.juntoventure.org. Participants are encouraged to submit their responses using a digital homemade video to win exciting prizes. The video submission deadline is Earth Day, April 22nd. QuantumShift TV is now hosting our video contest. Please visit this link for more information.
Prizes include cutting-edge eco-gadgets and thousands of dollars worth of sustainable products. The top entries will also have an opportunity to be featured in an upcoming interactive video series produced by JuntoVenture.
The challenge is geared towards building a community-based discussion about “going green.” The challenge will kickoff a series of JuntoVenture projects aimed at providing a simple model for how to live a more eco-friendly life. The non-profit’s main goal is to provide the knowledge to make better environmental choices, give feedback to businesses, present the future emerging market, and facilitate collaboration on eco-friendly projects.
“Many people tell me they want to be more eco-friendly, but that it’s inconvenient and not practical…well, we are creating an easy model to help” says JJ Yoshihara, founder of JuntoVenture, a non-profit organization who is dedicated to educating people about environmental sustainability. “Making the most eco-conscious choices from conflicting information and lack of local resources is difficult. We aim to correct that.”
What eco-information would help you become greener the easiest?
What other information would you like to know most?
JuntoVenture wants to retrieve these questions and answer them! Get to the root of the problems we face! That’s what being a “Junto” is all about. JuntoVenture is embarking on two new projects to educate the world about environmental sustainability and provide an interactive platform for guiding people to successfully “going green.“
Our team has discovered that the largest problems is that there is so much in formation to sift through, so many different ideas and research, that it becomes overwhelming and time-consuming for everyone to become more environmentally sustainable themselves. We hope to change that by creating community, providing the most sought after questions, and working together for the common good. We can put men on the moon, we can certainly figure out simple ways to live more eco-conscious!
The reason we are asking these questions is due to JuntoVenture’s launch of two new interactive sustainability education projects!
Think Green Live Green Challenge: The Think Green Live Green Challenge is aimed to build a community of dialog about the challenges of eco-friendly living.
Earth Savers: A web series about two eco-savvy urbanites who will explore what’s green, innovative, and exciting; all on shoestring budget.
The above questions will help JuntoVenture in their future projects. Your responses to the above questions may be used in the projects!
If you would like to support these projects, tax-deductible donations can be made through our website at www.juntoventure.org/contribute
This blog is in response to the environment’s “BLOG ACTION DAY” found at http://blogactionday.org.
"High fuel prices putting a hamper on your vacation plans this summer? Try out a "staycation". It's the new buzz word which encourages people to take a vacation at home and be a tourist of your own city. Chances are, you haven't experienced everything there is to your local region. Now this idea and concept all depend on where you live although even if you live in a rural location, try taking hikes on unknown trails or visiting a nearby museum.
Fun and simple questions about eco-friendly living have been posted on their website at