Tag: water politics

Birdelini and World Water Week

Birdelini and The Great Wave
Birdelini and The Great Wave © Botanical Beauties and Beasties

Yesterday was World Water Day…..Birdelini is showing her support!

“Water pollution is a main cause of reduced water availability and can have serious impacts on the environment and on human health. Pollution stems for inappropriate industrial and agricultural practices as well as from urban waste production. In agriculture, overuse of chemical fertilizers and of pesticides leads to contamination of water bodies (rivers, lakes, underground aquifers). Intensive livestock production can also impact the quality of water resources if measures are not taken. New, more integrated approaches to food production can substantially improve the situation and limit pollution.

 

Protection also means conservation. A good soil, well maintained, can capture much of the rainwater, and avoid surface runoff which causes erosion and the loss of soil nutrients. Conservation agriculture is a farming practice that makes best use of available water, increases the resistance of plants to droughts and at the same time contributes to improving both the quantity and quality of groundwater and rivers.

Management of watersheds and the protection of water sources are also important. Forests can play an important role in protecting water resources.”

http://www.unwater.org/worldwaterday/faqs.html

Some pretty deep holes

Moe put on his glasses to read this article.

“We’ve managed water, and often not managed water, in ways that have landed us in some pretty deep holes. Groundwater levels are declining in many parts of the state faster than they can be replenished, threatening the communities, industry and streams that depend upon that water.”

This article is about Washington Sate – but the facts seem global to Moe.

“Fact #1: Our past cannot be our future.
Fact #2: Water management is hard, but it will get harder.
Fact #3: Our water resources are finite.

It’s time to modernize water management, and agree that all interests are essential to the future we want.”

http://bit.ly/eVH3pB
By Ted Sturdevant
Director
Washington Department of Ecology

International Women’s Day-Women and Water

From The Nature Conservancy http://www.nature.org/initiatives/freshwater/features/art33145.html

Women & Water: Do women have the power to heal the world’s waters?

“And this March — from International Women’s Day on the 8th to World Water Day on the 22nd — is a great time to recognize and celebrate the positive impact women can make for water.  Through my work as a Conservancy freshwater scientist, I’ve learned that water isn’t just a world crisis, it’s a women’s crisis. In many societies, women and girls spend much of each day collecting and preparing water for cooking, cleaning, drinking and maintaining sanitation. ….. “Everyone has a role to play, but making a difference for water involves bringing people together and tackling complex issues — two things women are particularly good at,” says Silk. “Women can be a force for steering sustainable use and conservation in households, classrooms, farms, governments and businesses around the world.”  –Kate Frazer is a senior writer for The Nature Conservancy based in Boston, MA. Read the whole article at  http://www.nature.org/initiatives/freshwater/features/art33145.html

“Women are like teabags. We don’t know our true strength until we are in hot water!” — Eleanor Roosevelt

Moe Says- “Woman, Water, how great is that. What a great way to teach water awareness.”  http://bit.ly/gLSJ2R

Stay tuned — Tomorrow will Zoie will be making an appearance.

"Nothing is softer or more flexible than water, yet nothing can resist it." Lao Tzu

Guess what?  It’s Water Week in Botaniumus!

“ We know the worth of water when the well is dry.” -Ben Franklin

Since it is Water Week – It is Moes turn to shine – or in this case shimmer in the water!

Moe-Minister of Clean Water
Moe-Minister of Clean Water

He has water-breathing gills and can travel in the seas for as long as needed. He and his family can adapt to sea or land as needed. Moe’s job as Minister of Clean Water is a natural fit for him. While swimming he preforms water tests as well as notes underwater spots of beauty. Part of his job also includes marking problem areas. Unfortunately these areas are more common than he would like. Botaniumus citizens are used to clean azure water and areas that are not pristine make them all very sad.

Moe will be chatting about water, water conservation and any other water issues he feels like this week!

Even though it is not Fun Fact Friday – here are two cool tidbits of water info.
 – “More than 99% of our living planet is ocean.” Edith Widder #TED
 – The largest height variation between the highest mountain and the deepest point in the bottom of the ocean is about 12 miles.

FYI: Moe is made from Hydrangea, moss, peony. To learn more about Moe and the gang.