Solutions
Submitted by Geoff Livingston on 25 January, 2010 - 11:20
On Tuesday, we will test drive the new Chevrolet Volt, the highly talked about electric vehicle that will be released this year. In addition to its place as on of GM's cornerstones of the future, the Volt is supposed to be an incredible emissions saver, delivering 40 miles on a full charge. 75% of Americans drive less than 40 miles everyday. The car then uses it's gas engine to deliver a hybrid performance.
Submitted by jgeeslin on 25 January, 2010 - 06:00
Every Monday we profile a Dow Live Earth Run for Water partner organization that works toward providing solutions to the nearly 1 billion people who lack access to clean, safe water. To donate to one of these projects, visit liveearth.org/give.
International Riverfoundation is an Australian-based charity with a vision of a world in which all rivers and waterways are healthy and sustainably managed. To this end, Riverfoundation is dedicated to driving the restoration and sustainable management of rivers and waterways around the world, to ensure that they will be protected for generations to come.
Submitted by jgeeslin on 19 January, 2010 - 13:05
Go Green Expo is a fabulous green trade show and "green-living" showcase that will begin its tour around the U.S. this week, starting in Los Angeles on Saturday the 23rd.
Submitted by Live Earth on 19 January, 2010 - 12:39
A broken Afridev pump, which cost 1000$ when it was placed. Can this be avoided? Picture Henk Holtslag
Did I mean "reliable?" no. Not necessarily. It seems logical to demand that water pumps be reliable, right? Shouldn’t the goal be to make water pumps that are of such a good quality, that they don’t need any maintenance, and will never break down? Of course, this goal can never be reached because everything that moves breaks down eventually. But should we at least strive to make a pump that fails only after a very long time, say 10-15 years? Surprisingly, this seemingly logical idea has some unintended and potentially troublesome consequences.
As an example, consider one of the most common pumps in Afica, the Afridev pump. It is very durable, sturdy, breaks down only after 10 years or so. A very nice, well-designed pump. In all of Afica, some 30% of these pumps are broken today, in some countries 70%, and they are not being repaired. What happened? And let’s be clear: the problem is not that things break down, because everything breaks down eventually. The problem is that they are not being repaired.
Submitted by jgeeslin on 15 January, 2010 - 16:30
Earthquake survivors and medical facilities in Haiti are in desperate need of clean water to avoid the spread of disease.
The U.S. says it will send thousands of troops to Haiti to help rescue efforts in the wake of the devastating earthquake. President Obama pledged one of the biggest relief efforts in recent U.S. history and said Haiti would "not be forgotten" in its hour of need.
Submitted by jgeeslin on 13 January, 2010 - 13:30
Thousands may be dead after the horrendous earthquake that rocked Haiti on Tuesday January 12 -- possibly more than 100,000 -- according to some early estimates. Many others are left homeless or without adequate food, water and shelter on the island nation of 9 million after a magnitude-7.0 earthquake struck near the capital city Port-au-Prince.
Disaster relief organizations are rapidly mobilizing aid to Haiti and are asking or help. Funds are needed to provide enough safe water, temporary shelter and vital medical supplies.
Submitted by Live Earth on 12 January, 2010 - 03:22
A question: if we can fly to the moon, can we make a US$1 water filter for people to use in their homes? And, if the answer is yes, why haven't we yet? This is one of my favorite things: the quest for extremely affordable point-of-use water filters.
There are some hopeful developments. After Hindustan Unilever had introduced their Pureit water purifier at a price level of 30$ for a very well-designed and effective water filter, protected by 21 patents and using 5 water filtration steps, Tata Company recently introduced their Tata Swach water purifier, at $20, with 1 filtration step, but equaly good-looking. And we already had the Vestergaard Live Straw Family filter, also at $20. In the open source hardware corner, we have the biosand filters, and ceramic pot filters. Lots of good stuff.
Submitted by Andy Sternberg on 11 January, 2010 - 17:56
Every Monday we profile a Dow Live Earth Run for Water partner organization that works toward providing solutions to the nearly 1 billion people who lack access to clean, safe water. To donate to one of these projects, visit liveearth.org/give.
BARKA Foundation is a UN-affiliated NGO based in the US and Burkina Faso, West Africa. It is focused on the achievement of the 8 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in a single country - Burkina Faso, considered to be one of the poorest countries in the world. When BARKA's Co-Founders, Ina & Esu Anahata, first went to Burkina, it was to study and practice the ancient indigenous spiritual technologies which many shamans and elders still keep alive there today. This work changed their lives, revealed the truth in their bones and aligned them with life purpose. The loving care they received by the Burkinabe, a people rich in culture, tradition, music and wisdom, compelled Ina & Esu to do something about the chronic and vicious cycle of food insecurity, disease and extreme poverty in which they are trapped. BARKA Foundation was born.
Submitted by jgeeslin on 6 January, 2010 - 15:14
The Summit on the Summit climb starts tomorrow! Emile Hirsch is joining Jessica Biel, Lupe Fiasco, Isabel Lucas, Elizabeth Gore, Alexandra Cousteau and many others for a week-long trek that will cover over 50 miles as they make their way to the top of the 19,341-foot African peak.
Submitted by jgeeslin on 26 December, 2009 - 13:16
If you live in the eastern United States, then you are no doubt dealing with plenty of snow this winter. Ever wonder just how the snow removal systems work that make your life that much easier trying to get to school and work in the morning?
The snow is "removed" by the use of sodium chloride. The melting snow, ice and rain cause salt to run off roads onto nearby vegetation and soil, eventually seeping into streams, lakes and rivers. This is of course very harmful to wildlife and vegetation in the area. This runoff salt has also been found in residential drinking wells in some Northeastern and Midwestern states.
