by rainhead | Apr 13, 2016 | Global Water, Water Conservation
How do you solve one of the most important and complex problems facing humanity: Global Water Security? At MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), they challenge a team of fresh, young minds to work together across a range of disciplines. On the Mission 2017 website, you will find a thorough but accessible summary of the major issues, proposed solutions and an overall sense of hope! You will also find reference to the role rainwater harvesting must play in the solution to water security in all countries. Given the scope of the undertaking, I must admit to being surprised (and even a little bit proud) that Brisbane, Australia is noted in regard to the role of public education and awareness campaigns in the role of water conservation by reducing consumption. In the ‘Implementation’ section regarding ‘Domestic Conservation Education’, it is noted: …”Considering Brisbane, Australia as an example, when facing a drought, the government implemented various conservation measures. Bans on lawn watering, shortened showers, and public awareness campaigns nearly halved water consumption…” Other recent analysis suggests that some of the lessons learnt here in Brisbane during the severe drought peaking around 2007 are, in fact, still largely adhered to. It still seems surreal to think that South-East Queensland came dangerously close to running out of water: something hitherto regarded as almost impossible in a sub-tropical climate. As well as establishing bans on external mains water use during the height of the drought, local and State Governments offered financial rebates for installing rainwater tanks. A far cry from the days of issuing bans against the use of rainwater tanks, which occurred in Brisbane around the...
by rainhead | Mar 26, 2016 | Global Water
World Water Day was celebrated this year on 22 March 2016. Each year, United Nations Water – the entity which coordinates the UN’s work on water and sanitation – nominates a theme for World Water Day. The theme encompasses an existing issue or future challenge relating to water on a global scale. This year, the theme was “Water and Jobs”. Read more on the official United Nations World Water Day website. Looking back: World Water day 2015 engaged the theme of “Water and Sustainable Development”. Here is a link the the WWD15 website. On the topic of global water scarcity, see this fascinating collection of images by International Business Times reporter David Sim “…to make you think twice about wasting this precious...
