Does America Have a Water Crisis? from OrganicNation on Vimeo.
Apr
13
13
The Real Story of Water, a new video from Surfrider
Our friends at Surfrider have done it again. This is an excellent mini-film:
The Cycle of Insanity: The Real Story of Water from Surfrider Foundation on Vimeo.
Apr
1
1
The U.S. Navy stands for less
The Navy has a huge presence here in San Diego.
Naval Base San Diego (NBSD) has won both the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) and the Secretary of the Navy’s (SECNAV) fiscal year 2009 Environmental Awards in the category of Environmental Quality.
The Navy has taken measures to STAND FOR LESS water used in landscaping–10 million gallons less annually!
The Navy holds “bi-annual community clean up events and has a monthly harbor clean up program which, together, removed just under 10,000 pounds of trash from the community in 2009.”
The Navy also diverted 24 tons of electronic wastes from the landfill.
Source: The Navy Compass.
Mar
30
30
April 7th, Forum on Water Legislation
Informational Forum on Water Legislation and Water Bond to be held April 7 in Balboa Park
The Association of California Water Agencies is hosting a series of statewide informational forums that will discuss the comprehensive package of water bills that was passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor in 2009. The package contains four policy bills along with an $11.14 billion general obligation bond proposal that voters will consider on the November 2010 ballot.
A forum will be held in San Diego on April 7 at the Balboa Park Club (2150 West Pan American Rd., 92101) from 8:30 a.m. to noon. The event is free and open to the public.
The forums are being coordinated to help build understanding for the many legislative aspects of the comprehensive water package. Speakers will include representatives from ACWA and other California water experts.
Forum hosts include the Association of California Water Agencies, California Latino Water Coalition, and State of California.
For more information, please call (916) 503-1411 or email bquintana@latinowater.com
You may also visit the sponsor websites www.latinowater.com or www.acwa.com.
Mar
25
25
Important reading on our water
This is appropriate as we end the week that began with World Water Day.
The San Diego County Water Authority has released its 2009 annual report. We talk about how we are at the end of the pipeline for California water and this past year that point was driven home more than ever with the ongoing drought.
Highlights from the report include:
“95% of residents said they were aware that the region faces a potentially significant water shortage.”
“The San Diego County Water Authority faced the most significant challenges to the reliability of the region’s water supply in nearly two decades.”
“The Water Authority’s clear vision and focused response turned a daunting threat to the region’s 3 million residents and $171 billion economy into an orderly and manageable transition.”
STAND FOR LESS strongly encourages you to read the full report. It’s easy to read and it’s important that residents and leaders understand the full situation regarding our region’s water.
Click on this image to access the full report. Note the link on the lower right (after you click through) to download a pdf file to your computer.
Mar
22
22
In the spotlight: San Diego County Water Authority and National Geographic’s water issue
It’s world water day today.
It’s also a good day to recognize our partner and water provider: The San Diego County Water Authority.
The water authority and all of the local water districts work hard every day to bring clean water to all of us in San Diego County. Water is vital for all life. What are you doing to conserve and to help keep our water clean?
Learn more about the importance of water from this National Geographic video which highlights their April 2010 issue: Water Our Thirsty World.
Feb
17
17
Emily Green and The Chance of Rain blog
Covering water, politics, gardening and the environment, writer Emily Green has created a gem with her Chance of Rain blog. Green has written for the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times and The Independent (UK).
Chance of Rain highlights her concern for her native American West, a land defined by water.
We encourage you to visit Chance of Rain today, and often.
Dec
14
14
California water myths
The Miramar Reservoir is part of the system that delivers water to San Diego. How much do you know about where your water comes from and the water issues affecting our community and state?
The Public Policy Institute of California released a paper this month titled “California Water Myths.” The paper identifies eight myths and then discusses the realities. One of the myths identified is that we can conserve our way out of our water problems. This is not true, the authors assert.
The reality: “Conservation is important, but its effectiveness is often overstated.”
Note the first half of the reality—conservation is important, very important. The second half is also worth highlighting—conservation alone is not enough. The paper examines other myths including: California is running out of water, healthy aquatic ecosystems conflict with a health economy, [insert villain here] is responsible for California’s water problems and we can find a consensus that will keep all parties happy. There is no consensus that will keep everyone happy according to the paper.
STAND FOR LESS recommends that all Californian’s review this study. It is time we move beyond myth and rhetoric and into reality. Then we can make real progress on this divisive but important issue.
Oct
8
8
The Greywater Guerillas are now Greywater Action
We recently introduced you to the Greywater Guerillas. They are no more. The group recently changed their name to reflect that their efforts are becoming an important part of the California mainstream.
This is a good thing!
Visit their updated Web site and see their new name at http://greywateraction.org/
Start making plans to recycle your own greywater, especially if you are a gardener or irrigate any part of your property.