Wisdom Trust Environment News 24-02-2009
Environment News.
Europe 'Unaware' Of Its Water Footprint.
While Europe may take better care of its water resources than other continents, it in fact uses larger quantities via imports of goods such as cotton, beans or wood, which often come from regions that already suffer from water scarcity, argues one UN expert.
The notion of "virtual water" embedded in a commodity or a product, is an essential part of the 'water footprint' theory but has not yet received much attention, according to the expert in question.
However, she warned: "You are going to hear about this virtual water trade a lot more in the next few years."
A water footprint is the total amount of water a country needs to sustain its population and industry. But while Europe tries to take good care of its own resources, it uses water from other places via its agribusiness imports. It’s important to find out about each country's footprint, how much of their water comes from outside the country and what was the energy needed to bring in that water.
One has to question European consumers' way of life, with some wanting strawberries all year round. Meanwhile, African lakes are dying, because the berries suck up water which is then shipped out of the country. Great Britain alone imports two thirds of its water footprint. And it imports it from Africa, Latin America and from places which don't have any water.
As for biofuels, while there is a drive to grow biofuels to combat CO2 emissions, we should also stop to ask what biofuels might do to other parts of nature. They are water guzzlers. Biofuels and corn ethanol use a huge amount of water.
Water and climate change
But the chance of getting water high up the agenda of UN climate change negotiations are slim, as there are so many other issues. However, many believe that water may well become part of the discussions once people become more water conscious.
The water crisis is where climate change was five years ago. It is just starting to get into the media and people's heads, and in five years it will be what people talk about.
It could be argued that the water crisis must no longer be considered a result of climate change, but rather as another side to the equation of what causes climate change.
Water as a human right
Regarding calls to establish access to water as a human right, it might be possible to begin the process toward the notion that no-one should be denied water because they can't pay for it. But this clearly does not mean the right to fill one's swimming pool. It's about the right to life and to water for your daily needs, and about the right to local sustainable food production.
However, this will not happen overnight and some countries have different reasons to oppose it. In Canada and the United States, for example, serious water crises are hitting indigenous reserves and neither government wants to face litigation over such a right. At the same time, governments of poor countries fear that their populations will use it to sue them.
Need for water pricing
While many support water as a human right, others support water pricing. But the general feeling is that such pricing should be linked to three main conditions:
* That the water is public, delivered by government not-for profit agencies so that the money collected goes back into protecting source water and infrastructure re-building, etc.;
* That one does not buy the water but pay for the service, so it is not about people owning water, and;
* That 'bloc pricing' guarantees a certain amount of water for free or inexpensively for basic needs, and then the price would go up at next levels of usage.
There is a commercial role for water but it would always have to be done by permit and with the ability for the governments to re-control the water if the permits are not being used sustainably.
We don't necessarily need private companies to run water services, water delivery and waste water, because governments can do that perfectly well on a not-for-profit basis.
However, there is a clear role for businesses in putting together and upgrading infrastructure and hardware that is out of the governments' control. Businesses can also help with the expertise, consulting and innovation to help industry cut its water footprint or invent water cleaning techniques.
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1. A Fact From Our Library
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Despite its ecological merits, there is concern over the sustainability and legitimate supplies of timber.
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Polishing Silver.
To put the shine back into your silver, you don't need to buy expensive cleaners.
Instead, simply line a large cake pan with aluminum foil. (Make sure that the foil completely covers all areas. add warm water to cover the item and several tablespoons of baking soda.
Add the pieces of silver and wait 5-10 minutes. The grime will be gone and at a fraction of the cost of commercial cleaners. Not to mention no elbow grease!!!
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