H2O Blog.

Water going, going, gone!

"Peter H. Gleick, an environmental scientist at the Pacific Institute for Studies in Development, Environment, and Security, a research organization in California, fears that by the year 2025, as many as one-third of the world's projected 8.3 billion people will suffer from water shortages." "More than 1 billion people worldwide don't have access to basic clean drinking water," says Gleick. "There has to be a strong push on the part of everyone--governments and ordinary people--to make sure we have a resource so fundamental to life.(Roberts) Our water shortage has already begun.  If we are unable to start conserving this precious resource more and more people will be without it.  Our methods of containing clean water are also greatly impacting our environment in a negative way as well.  Seas are shrinking to half their size and now contain twice the amount of normal salt levels, making the water unusable to both humans and the seas inhabitants. In North Texas alone over pumping has shrunk ground water by 25%. 

There are easy ways to conserve water ourselves.

·  only run the dishwasher with a full load

·  scrape your dishes clean instead of rinsing them before washing

·  use your garbage disposal sparingly

·  place a stopper in the sink to wash pots and pans, rather than turning on faucet each time a rinse is needed

·  when brushing your teeth, turn off the faucet until it is time to rinse

·  install low-flow shower heads

·  take showers instead of baths; showers with low-flow shower heads often use less water than baths

·  use a toilet tank displacement device; these devices will reduce the volume of water in the tank but still provide enough water for flushing

·  wash only a full load when using an automatic washing machine

·  use the lowest possible water level setting on the washing machine

·  use cold water as often as possible

·  water lawns early in the morning or late at night to avoid evaporation

·  avoid watering lawns in windy weather

·  use drip irrigation systems for bedded plants, trees, or shrubs

·  use a broom rather than the hose to "sweep" walks and driveways

·  use a bucket of soapy water to wash your car and save the hose for rinsing

What is Texas Doing?

The state requires cities to turn in conservation plans with 5- and 10-year targets for water savings.  The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) Water Conservation Implementation Task Force recommended a minimum 1% reduction per year of current per capital usage with a statewide average goal of 140 gallons per capital per day (GPCD).

What are we doing in Fort Worth?

"Officials at the Tarrant Regional Water District say conservation efforts adopted by many area

cities over the past two years are saving about 90 million gallons a day (at 660,253 gallons of

water each, that would be about 136 Olympic-size pools, by the way), leaving lakes and

reservoirs at 94 percent of capacity." 

Now not only do we have to contend with misuse and mismanagement, we also have to look at the ill effects of global warming and the horrific evaporation that is occuring because of our high tempertures and lack of rain.  It maycome down to rationing water for each household.  

Roberts,Rex (October 1997).  Will We Run Out of Water. Science World   http://www.texaswatermatters.org/

http://www.savetexaswater.tamu/

Energy Blog

After researching solar panels I have realized that there are many factors that contribute to their successfulness.  Solar panels or photovoltaic panels are a great start to going green.  They can help reduce utility costs almost immediately after successful installation.  In order to reach zero admissions there are many other building factors that have to be addressed in addition to the panels.  Proper window placement for optimal natural light and also heat from the sun are very important factors.  Proper insulation and building material also play a big factor.  Having a system that adjusts the lights according to the outside also helps this alternative energy source.  There are many pros of solar panels.  They are virtually maintenance free. The only coat being the initial cost of the product and installation.  There are many financial incentives from the government that can provide some relief from the initial cost.  Solar energy is clean and renewable.  It is not subjected to the rising costs of fossil fuels.  Sunlight is free.  There are also some cons to solar panels.  The initial cost and be very expensive.  You must have a large surface area to house the panels.  The absorption of sun is contingent on the weather with most systems; the more expensive ones can still absorb and convert UV rays into usable energy.  The investment cost is usually not offset in the first 5 years.  Less efficient homes do not see returns until after 10.  The productions of these panels have a negative impact on the environment because of the materials used in making them.  The system has to also be carefully planned and executed or else it will not work.

Here are some examples of Solar panels.

Cambridge Porter Square Shopping Center Case study demonstrates a communities efforts to educate their citizens on alternative energy. 

Estimated Start up Cost: $8 t0 $10 dollares per watt for a complete system

Annual Energy Production: 22,000 kWh, about 30% of the building’s common area usage.

Annual Energy Cost Savings: approximately $4,400

Annual Emissions Offsets: 31,680 lbs. of CO2, 163 lbs. of SO2, 53.9 lbs. of NOx

Size: 80 modules (ea. measuring approx. 4 ft.x 6 ft.) Total panel area =1920 square feet

Electricity Produced to Date: 165,000 kWh between 1999 and 2008

Savings Realized to Date: Approximately $35,000 in electricity charges

 A great start to going green bust very costly. 

http://www2.cambridgema.gov/cdd/et/climate/clim_cases/pv_case_porter_sq.pdf

My sustainability journey.

I have created a slide show to introduce myself and to show you what led me to where I am today.  I truly believe that if we do not start taking action and changing our current habits my children will not have be able to breath easy.  We have to motivate ourselves and others through our own personal actions and beliefs.  We need to educate one person at a time and spread the truth, the horror and the harsh reality of the state our environment is in.  Education is the only way to rapidly get our message out and start making a difference.  This is our last hope.  This is my children's last hope.  We need to be a little inconvenienced and live well within our means.  If we don't I am afraid of what the future will hold.  The truth is being green is fun and you feel good both physically and mentally.  Take the journey with me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6igbxD5cXU