Catastrophic floods, similar to those recently witnessed in Pakistan and Australia that are normally anticipated once a century can now be expected every 20 years instead, warn scientists.

On the other hand, recent studies show, water demand in many countries will exceed supply by an estimated 40 per cent within a single generation, with one-third of humanity having half the water required for life’s basics.

Climate change, which is one of the least attractive topics for policy makers, has emerged as a major challenge to livelihood of millions of people. There is dire need to involve reputed scientists to help countries brace for drought, flood and unsafe water problems looming on a 15 to 20 year horizon.

The anticipated crises create a fast-growing need for technologies and services to discover, manage, filter, disinfect and/or desalinate water, improve infrastructure and distribution, mitigate flood damage and reduce water consumption by within a single generation, households and industry- the biggest water user by far at 71 per cent worldwide.

“Climate change will affect all societies and ecosystems most profoundly through the medium of water but there is no other way to generalize the crises ahead. At unpredictable times, too much water will arrive in some places and too little in others,” says Zafar Adeel, Chair of UN Water, which coordinates water-related efforts of 28 United Nations organisations and agencies. He is also Director of the United Nations University’s Canadian-based Institute for Water, Environment and Health.

“Water is a local issue demanding responses tailored to specific locations. Sadly, most communities, especially in developing countries, are ill-prepared to adjust to looming new realities. Canadian expertise in water management is greatly needed.”

“Canadians, who were blessed with abundant resource of freshwater, can do well by doing good,” he adds. If the prediction of a $1 trillion water industry in 2020 proves correct (it is estimated today at $400 billion per year), it would be about one-fifth as large as today’s global $4.5 trillion construction industry.

“We need to brace for what could easily be humanity’s greatest short-term challenges,” says Margaret Catley-Carlson, a former senior official with both the Canadian government and at the United Nations, a renowned global authority on water issues, and a CWN director.

She cites US-led research that, by 2030, global water demand will be 40 percent greater than today’s “accessible, reliable, environmentally sustainable supply,” which constitutes a fraction of the absolute raw freshwater available in nature. Filling the gap with supply-side measures only, however, requires an estimated $200 billion per year; an approach that both raises supply and lowers demand would require $50 to $60 billion.

Says Nicholas Parker, Chairman of the Cleantech group: “What people don’t often realise is how much water there is in everything we make and buy, from t-shirts to beverages.”

“Virtual water” describes the volume “embedded” in a product during its production. A desktop computer, for example, requires 1.5 tonnes (1,500 litres) of water; a pair of denim jeans up to 6 tonnes; a kilogram of wheat 1 tonne; a kilo of chicken 3 to 4 tonnes; a kilo of beef 15 to 30 tonnes.”

Annual global trade in “virtual water” today is said to exceed 800 billion tonnes, the equivalent of 10 Nile Rivers.

And the financial world is looking ahead to the bottom-line impacts of a water-constrained world. Institutional investors managing tens of trillions of dollars are pointedly asking businesses for data about their vulnerability to potential water supply difficulties.

As many as 300 eminent scientists, policy-makers, economists and other stakeholders have gathered in Ottawa, Canada on Monday, February 28, 2011, for an international conference hosted by the Canadian Water Network, showcasing latest world research findings as well as proven news tools, ideas and best practices for optimizing water management in short-supply scenario.

“Canada’s relatively abundant water supply will surely be an asset in future as precious as oil was in the 20th Century,” says Mr. Parker. “It must be managed carefully to ensure it can be harvested sustainably in perpetuity, supporting the well-being of all members of the world community.”

Canada, with its abundance of water and expertise in managing the valuable resource, will be called on to help other nations struggling to deal with frequent drought, flooding and water quality concerns in just decades, according to a panel of experts.

Demand for water in many countries will exceed supply by an estimated 40 per cent in 15 to 20 years and only one third of the world’s population will have half the water needed for life’s basics, global researchers have predicted.

They forecast that by 2020, a $1-trillion market will exist for technologies and plans to discover, manage, filter, disinfect and distribute water -a process that Canadians are leading.

“Climate change will affect societies and ecosystems most profoundly through the medium of water but there is no other way to generalize the crises ahead. At unpredictable times, too much water will arrive in some places and too little in others,” said Zafar Adeel, chair of UN Water, which co-ordinates water-related efforts for 28 United Nations organizations.

“There is a significant amount of knowledge and technologies that are available within Canada but they don’t seem to be visible at the international level,” he said.

Adeel is meeting with 300 scientists, policy-makers and economists from around the world in Ottawa this week to discuss a global approach to managing and protecting water at an event hosted by the Canadian Water Network, a Waterloo, Ont.-based organization that works on resolving water conflicts.

Canadian provinces have already handled a broad range of issues with water, such as severe flooding and drought, while First Nations communities and small towns have worked on improving water quality, which is why the country is in a strong position to share its wisdom with other nations, said Bernadette Conant, CWN executive director.

Catastrophic floods -such as those that occurred recently in Pakistan and Australia -which usually happen every century, can now be expected every 20 years, she warned.

Communities in northern B.C. have already recovered from these floods three times in the last two decades, Canadian researchers say.

“Canada has been the birthplace of world-changing water treatment technology, massive cleanups and changing regulations. We can tackle the problem,” she said.

The challenges Canadian communities have encountered are similar to what Third World countries face, so our approach is “very relevant” despite differences in resources, Adeel said.

He said that the Arab Countries Water Utilities Association (ACWUA), which represents 19 Middle Eastern countries, has already considered Canadian help to improve water management and policy.

Canada’s freshwater lakes and rivers roughly equal the area of Spain, Germany and Belgium combined, which is about nine per cent of the global supply.

Carmen Chai
Post Media News

Human beings may be partially to blame for the increasing intensity of rain and snowstorms, says a new climate study published on Thursday.

This is the first time human-induced rise in greenhouse gases has been directly linked to intensity of extreme rain and snow. The study in Nature journal examined data from across the northern hemisphere, including India, and found that the intensity of extreme rainfall and snow had gone up in recent years.

The authors studied the most extreme episodes of rain and snow from 1951 to 1999 and found their magnitude on the rise towards the end of the century. They then compared the actual observations with predictions in various climate models.

It was found that natural variability alone could not account for the intensity of storms, but when the models factored in greenhouse gases, they showed intensity increases similar to those observed — indicating that global warming effects were kicking in.

”Our results provide the first formal identification of a human contribution to the observed intensification of extreme precipitation,” the paper by scientists in Canada and Scotland said.

This rise held true at scales no smaller than a continent, said the study. That means it is not possible to link single events — like the severe floods in Pakistan last year or the cloudburst at Leh — to climate change, but the trend shows up over a large geographical area in course of time.

”Our results also show that the global climate models we used may have underestimated the observed trend, which implies that extreme precipitation events may strengthen more quickly in the future than projected and that they may have more severe impact than estimated,” the study warned. The same issue of Nature carries another study by British researchers on flooding in England in the autumn of 2000. It says global warming had doubled the likelihood of the event occurring.

- [TOI]

Fifty million “environmental refugees” will flood into the global north by 2020, fleeing food shortages sparked by climate change, experts warned at a major science conference that ended here Monday.

“In 2020, the UN has projected that we will have 50 million environmental refugees,” University of California, Los Angeles professor Cristina Tirado said at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).

“When people are not living in sustainable conditions, they migrate,” she continued, outlining with the other speakers how climate change is impacting both food security and food safety, or the amount of food available and the healthfulness of that food.

Southern Europe is already seeing a sharp increase in what has long been a slow but steady flow of migrants from Africa, many of whom risk their lives to cross the Strait of Gibraltar into Spain from Morocco or sail in makeshift vessels to Italy from Libya and Tunisia.

The flow recently grew to a flood after a month of protests in Tunisia, set off by food shortages and widespread unemployment and poverty, brought down the government of longtime ruler Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, said Michigan State University professor Ewen Todd, who predicted there will be more of the same.

“What we saw in Tunisia — a change in government and suddenly there are a whole lot of people going to Italy — this is going to be the pattern,” Todd told AFP.

“Already, Africans are going in small droves up to Spain, Germany and wherever from different countries in the Mediterranean region, but we’re going to see many, many more trying to go north when food stress comes in. And it was food shortages that put the people of Tunisia and Egypt over the top.

“In many Middle Eastern and North African countries,” he continued, “you have a cocktail of politics, religion and other things, but often it’s just poor people saying ‘I’ve got to survive, I’ve got to eat, I’ve got to feed my family’ that ignites things.”

Environmental refugees were described in 2001 by Norman Myers of Oxford University as “a new phenomenon” created by climate change.

“These are people who can no longer gain a secure livelihood in their homelands because of drought, soil erosion, desertification, deforestation and other environmental problems, together with the associated problems of population pressures and profound poverty,” Myers wrote in a journal of Britain’s Royal Society in 2001.

“In their desperation, these people feel they have no alternative but to seek sanctuary elsewhere, however hazardous the attempt.”

Monday’s panel cited ways in which climate change has impacted food security and safety.

Warmer winters allow pests that carry plant diseases to survive over the cold months and attack crops in the spring, soil physicist Ray Knighton of the US department of agriculture said.

Increased rainfall — another result of climate change — when coupled with more fungal pathogens can “dramatically impact crop yield and quality,” said Knighton, adding that greenhouse gases and atmospheric pollutants have changed plant structures and reduced crops’ defenses to pests and pathogens.

Tirado noted that floods caused by heavy precipitation can spread diseases carried in animal waste into the human food chain.

The World Health Organization has estimated that 2.2 million deaths in developing countries are caused each year by food and water-borne diseases, said Sandra Hoffmann of the US department of agriculture.

And yet, the global economic crisis has pushed climate change “down in priority” on governments’ to-do lists, said Todd.

“If you’re suffering economically, climate change is not going to be the first thing you fund.

“Any action you take will be costly, be it in terms of prestige, economics, less oil… I think it’s going to take a real crisis to get world opinion to change,” he added.

- [HT]

]]> http://www.onlineconnections.ca/featured/experts-50-million-environmental-refugees-by-2020/feed/ 0 http://www.onlineconnections.ca/canadian_community/green/are-you-still-adjusting-your-thermostats/ http://www.onlineconnections.ca/canadian_community/green/are-you-still-adjusting-your-thermostats/#comments Sun, 16 Jan 2011 05:31:31 +0000 Online Connections http://www.onlineconnections.ca/?p=158

Programmable Thermostats

What are programmable thermostats?

They are electronic thermostats that automatically adjust your home’s temperature settings, thus allowing you to save energy when you’re sleeping or away. They are more convenient and accurate than manual thermostats.

How do they work?

Programmable thermostats typically have four daily, automatic settings (wake, day, evening and sleep) and weekend settings. With a manual thermostat, by contrast, you have to remember to adjust the temperature every time you get up, go out, come home and go to bed. A programmable thermostat can also improve comfort, allowing you to warm up the house for a few minutes before you get up or come home from work.

Will a programmable thermostat automatically save me money?

Not if you never change your home temperature setting. The savings come from programming the thermostat to automatically lower the house temperature when you’re away or sleeping. For every one degree Celsius you lower the house temperature, for a minimum of eight hours, you can expect to save two per cent on your heating bill. For example, if your monthly heating bill is $200, and you set back your thermostat from, say, 21 to 16 degrees C at night, you could save $100 over a five-month heating season. You could save an additional $100 over the same period by automatically setting back the thermostat by the same amount when you’re away at work.

Where can I buy a programmable thermostat?

Most hardware and home improvement stores carry them, as do furnace retailers and contractors.

How do I know which models to choose from?

Although the ENERGY STAR® certification for programmable thermostats ceases as of May 1, 2008, you can still find appropriate models by looking for those with at least two programming periods (for weekdays and weekends) and at least four temperature settings.

Are they difficult to install?

Not usually. If you’re replacing an existing, manual thermostat, a battery-powered programmable thermostat can be installed on the existing thermostat wiring (the new thermostat’s manual should provide instructions). Thermostats using furnace-control circuit power will require additional wiring from the furnace. If you’re not sure, you can hire an electrician or a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) contractor to do it for you.

Are the programming instructions easy to understand and remember?

Some thermostats have the instructions printed on the cover or inside the housing box. If not, you will have to consult the instruction booklet every time you want to change the setback times.

Can I override the automatic settings on a programmable thermostat?

Yes. You can temporarily make the house warmer or cooler, without erasing your programmed settings.

Is it true that it takes more energy to heat the house back up to a comfortable level than you saved by lowering the temperature when you’re away or asleep?

No, this is a common misconception. The fuel required to re-heat a building to a comfortable temperature after a period of setback is less than the fuel that would have been used to maintain the higher temperature throughout the same period. The greater the degree of setback and the longer the period of set-back, the more energy and money you save.

Does a programmable thermostat require any maintenance?

Thermostats should be cleaned (i.e. blow out any dust), calibrated and have their batteries checked/changed periodically. A good rule of thumb is to have a contractor check the thermostat when cleaning or checking the furnace.

What should I do with my old thermostat?

Many manual thermostats have a switching tube that contains mercury. When removing the thermostat, be careful not to break the tube. Ask your local hazardous materials/chemical drop-off centre (often a fire hall) if it accepts old thermostats that contain mercury.

How can we live lightly on the Earth and save money at the same time? Staff members at the Worldwatch Institute, a global environmental organization, share ideas on how to GO GREEN and SAVE GREEN at home and at work. To learn more about Worldwatch’s efforts to create am environmentally sustainable society that meets human needs.

Climate change is in the news. It seems like everyone’s “going green.” We’re glad you want to take action, too. Luckily, many of the steps we can take to stop climate change can make our lives better. Our grandchildren-and their children-will thank us for living more sustainably. Let’s start now.

We’ve partnered with the Million Car Carbon Campaign to help you find ways to save energy and reduce your carbon footprint. This campaign is uniting conscious consumers around the world to prevent the emissions-equivalent of 1 million cars from entering the atmosphere each year.

Keep reading for 10 simple things you can do today to help reduce your environmental impact, save money, and live a happier, healthier life. For more advice, purchase State of the World 2010 – Transforming Cultures: From Consumerism to Sustainability, a report from 60 renowned researchers and practitioners on how to reorient cultures toward sustainability

1. Save energy to save money.

• Set your thermostat a few degrees lower in the winter and a few degrees higher in the summer to save on heating and cooling costs.
• Install compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) when your older incandescent bulbs burn out.
• Unplug appliances when you’re not using them. Or, use a “smart” power strip that senses when appliances are off and cuts “phantom” or “vampire” energy use.
• Wash clothes in cold water whenever possible. As much as 85 percent of the energy used to machine-wash clothes goes to heating the water.
• Use a drying rack or clothesline to save the energy otherwise used during machine drying.

2.  Save water to save money.

• Take shorter showers to reduce water use. This will lower your water and heating bills too.
• Install a low-flow showerhead. They don’t cost much, and the water and energy savings can quickly pay back your investment.
• Make sure you have a faucet aerator on each faucet. These inexpensive appliances conserve heat and water, while keeping water pressure high.
• Plant drought-tolerant native plants in your garden. Many plants need minimal watering. Find out which occur naturally in your area.

3. Less gas = more money (and better health!).

• Walk or bike to work. This saves on gas and parking costs while improving your cardiovascular health and reducing your risk of obesity.
• Consider telecommuting if you live far from your work. Or move closer. Even if this means paying more rent, it could save you money in the long term.
• Lobby your local government to increase spending on sidewalks and bike lanes. With little cost, these improvements can pay huge dividends in bettering your health and reducing traffic.

4. Eat smart.

• If you eat meat, add one meatless meal a week. Meat costs a lot at the store-and it’s even more expensive when you consider the related environmental and health costs.
• Buy locally raised, humane, and organic meat, eggs, and dairy whenever you can. Purchasing from local farmers keeps money in the local economy.
• Watch videos about why local food and sustainable seafood are so great.
• Whatever your diet, eat low on the food chain [pdf]. This is especially true for seafood.

5. Skip the bottled water.

• Use a water filter to purify tap water instead of buying bottled water. Not only is bottled water expensive, but it generates large amounts of container waste.
• Bring a reusable water bottle, preferably aluminum rather than plastic, with you when traveling or at work.
• Check out this short article for the latest on bottled water trends.

6. Think before you buy.

• Go online to find new or gently used secondhand products. Whether you’ve just moved or are looking to redecorate, consider a service like craigslist or FreeSharing to track down furniture, appliances, and other items cheaply or for free.
• Check out garage sales, thrift stores, and consignment shops for clothing and other everyday items.
• When making purchases, make sure you know what’s “Good Stuff” and what isn’t.
• Watch a video about what happens when you buy things. Your purchases have a real impact, for better or worse.

7. Borrow instead of buying.

• Borrow from libraries instead of buying personal books and movies. This saves money, not to mention the ink and paper that goes into printing new books.
• Share power tools and other appliances. Get to know your neighbors while cutting down on the number of things cluttering your closet or garage.

8. Buy smart.

• Buy in bulk. Purchasing food from bulk bins can save money and packaging.
• Wear clothes that don’t need to be dry-cleaned. This saves money and cuts down on toxic chemical use.
• Invest in high-quality, long-lasting products. You might pay more now, but you’ll be happy when you don’t have to replace items as frequently (and this means less waste!).

9. Keep electronics out of the trash.

• Keep your cell phones, computers, and other electronics as long as possible.
• Donate or recycle them responsibly when the time comes. E-waste contains mercury and other toxics and is a growing environmental problem.
• Recycle your cell phone.
• Ask your local government to set up an electronics recycling and hazardous waste collection event.

10. Make your own cleaning supplies.

• The big secret: you can make very effective, non-toxic cleaning products whenever you need them. All you need are a few simple ingredients like baking soda, vinegar, lemon, and soap.
• Making your own cleaning products saves money, time, and packaging-not to mention your indoor air quality.

I can’t possibly be the only one who notices a drastic difference on garbage day post-holiday hoopla. It looks different than any other time of year. Sure there are snow drifts and shrivelled-up Christmas trees, but the sheer volume of trash is hard to ignore.

January is not known as trash season, though your garbage collector might disagree. Instead, it’s traditionally a time of year when we make promises and pledges or New Year’s resolutions — to be better and to do better.

It felt only natural (to me) that these two phenomenon collide, making perfect fodder for my first blog post of 2011. It’s about disposal people, and 2011 is the year to clean up!

If your garage (or basement or crawl space) is like mine, it’s overflowing with a variety of “what the heck do I do with this stuff?” You know — items that aren’t safe for the landfill and those rejected by your curbside recycling program. (Speaking of curbside collection, watch my new Blue Bin Do’s and Don’ts video to be the best recycler you can be!)

Over my holiday break, I took some time to do a little holiday hangover cleaning. But I had help, thanks to a few fabulous resources:

Earth 911

Use their search engine by entering your postal code (or Zip) and the product you’re trying to dispose of — like paints, computer monitors, metal clothes hangers, and more!

Call2Recycle

This company specializing in recycling batteries (e.g., AA, lithium ion) and cell phones. Again, just enter your postal code (or Zip) to find a drop-off location near you.

Product Care

If you live in one of the seven Canadian provinces they cover (B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, or Newfoundland), search this site by province or product (like pesticides, CFLs, small appliances, or flammables).

These are only a few leads, but chances are your city’s website has some of the best tips and advice when it comes to disposal of tricky items. Also, see if your province has a recycling council (e.g., British Columbia, Ontario) or a hotline. There are also private companies that take stuff your Blue Bin program won’t (and often for free).

What resources have you found helpful when trying to safely get rid of the impossible?

Sincerely,
Lindsay Coulter, Queen of Green

[Source: http://www.davidsuzuki.org/blog]