Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category
Power Water Nexus – Fueling America’s Drought
An excellent article, one of a series, that illustrates the water shortage and the problem with America’s drought.
Related articles across the web
Where have all the Fish Gone?
By Kari Bedi and Tom Barrett
Did you know 40% of our fresh waterways are impaired (i.e. polluted)?
This means the water is too dirty for swimming, fishing or drinking. Plants, animals, and fish are disappearing from many rivers, lakes, and coastal waters. A waterway is impaired If it does not meet water quality standards of the Clean Water Act and the state. This means the waterway is polluted. The information is confusing but the problem is real. The problem is local as well as national. The problem will not go away without action.
Unintended Consequences of Our Unconscious Use of Resources
- Ocean acidification – due to carbon emissions from burning fossil fuels
- Overfishing
- Warming water temperatures
- Deoxygenation – due to run-off of fertilizers and sewage
- Pollution – soil, nitrates, pesticides, toxic chemicals
- Siltation/Erosion – which can add to toxic algae growth in rivers and lakes
In nature there is no good; there is no evil; there are only consequences.”
Ohio
Toxic algae bloom from stormwater runoff
Toxic algae blooms are flourishing under warming water temperatures and contaminated stormwater runoff. Growing evidence suggests toxins, which are colorless, odorless, and water soluble, may remain present in water bodies long after algae blooms have vanished; and more alarmingly, algae toxins potentially could become airborne. In September, an Ohio county faced a cyanobacteria contamination of their water system that forced the water supplier to warn customers not to drink water from the tap.
Florida
The Tide is Turning Toward Resiliency with Green Infrastructure
Chicago, Illinois
Non-point source pollution from agricultural runoff.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Groveland, Massachusetts
What We Know for Iowa
Sewage overflow outlet
For Iowa, soil erosion is the number one source of surface water pollution. The movement of soil into water supplies is called siltation. Erosion easily occurs when bare land is left to be exposed to wind or heavy rains. Primary sources of unprotected soil include agriculture, road ditches, and construction/building sites. Of course, along with the soil comes the pollutants in the soil that load stormwater runoff with nutrient-rich feces and various toxic chemicals.
Collaborating on Conscious Solutions for Water Improvement
Elements of Green Infrastructure
- Native grasses and filter strips – dense root systems of native plantings help hold soil in place, filters out pollutants, improves absorption rate, and slows runoff
- Bioswales – a drainage course with gently sloped sides designed to slow stormwater flow to trap silt and pollutants
- Urban tree canopy – intercepts rainfall, reducing surface runoff
- Greenstructure – urban green spaces designed for cleaner air and water, recreational and educational opportunities, and natural habitat networks
- Permeable pavement – pervious materials that help control stormwater at the source, reduce runoff and provide filtration
- Constructed and natural wetlands – act as a biofilter, removing sediments and pollutants
- Green roofs – a form of low impact development, offers many benefits including stormwater management, improved air quality, and energy efficiency
- Green alleys – incorporate permeable pavements, open bottom catch basins, high-albedo pavement to reflect sunlight and help reduce the urban heat island effect, and dark sky-compliant light fixtures to reduce light pollution
A bioswale creates a more natural approach to stormwater mitigation.
By weaving these natural processes into the built environment, green infrastructure offers both economical and ecological benefits to stormwater management. Not to mention further benefits including: flood mitigation, improved air quality, and support for local and regional biodiversity – supporting the return of fish populations.
Anthropogenic influences – like that from population growth, the energy industry, manufactured products, mining, transportation, and agricultural practices – have had a severe impact on biodiversity and water quality worldwide.”
Related articles across the web
Bridge the Gap Villages Postcards
Bridge the Gap Villages
Vorovoro, Fiji
Postcards
Welcome to Los Vaqueros!
Welcome to the new LosVaqueroslv.com, please take the time to click around and familiarize yourself with our new website!cialis large dose
off-label use tadalafil
cialis and side effects of fatiguemixing viagra and cialis
cialis dosing instructions
cialis consumer comments
can i use cialis after expiration date
tadalafil natural herb
tadalafil versus sildenafil
research chemicals cialis
acheter cialis
purchase cialis in british columbia
cialis comparison levitra viagra
cialis confezione
cialis effets secondaires
cialis commercials
mixing viagra and cialis
tadalafil dosage drug forum
refractory cialis
ambrisentan tadalafil
phirst-1: tadalafil in the treatment of pulmonary art
axio lab cialis sale
ambrisentan tadalafil ambition
20mg cialis versus 2.5mg cialis
erectile dysfunction forums
is cialis stronger than viagra
tadalafil welfil 20
generic cialis and viagra combo
cialis contrassegno
erectile dysfunction in young men
genuine cialis tadalafil
ace inhibitor cialis
research chemicals cialis
cheapest tadalafil
average cost of tadalafil prescription
purchase tadalafil canada
how to increase the potency of cialis
cialis soft gels
cheapest generic drug store for tadalafil
tadalafil buy discover
need cialis shipped overnight
tadalafil is more better
medicine4you tadalafil
best free cialis softtabs online
genuine cialis tadalafil.
Looking Ahead
As 2010 winds down we gear up for a new year, I will be conducting several presentation at conferences throughout the Midwest. You can find me in the following places:
January 10, 2011 – I will be speaking at the National Green Centre Conference in St. Louis. Topics I will cover include sustainable landscaping concepts like Rain Gardens, Bioswales and Resource Efficient Landscape Irrigation. To find out more information, please click here.- January 18, 2011- I will be speaking at the Green Industry Expo in Indianapolis. I will focus entirely on Current Trends on Sustainable Site Development and the importance of landscapes in remediating the environment. To find out more information, please click here.
February 4, 2011 – I will be at Walt Disney World, presenting Applying Smart Technologies to Rainwater Harvesting, Green Roofs, LEED Projects and Storm Water Issues at the Irrigation Association’s Point of Connection: Irrigation Contractor Leadership Summit. To find out more information, please click here.
February 15, 2011 – I will be presenting Brave New World: Current Trends in the Irrigation Industry for the Indiana Irrigation Contractor Council. For more information please click here.- February 24, 2011 – I will be at the Chicago Center for Green Technology presenting Permeable Paving, New Tools for Sustainable Development. The second in a three part series on Sustainable Site Development.
- March 31, 2011 – I will be back at the Chicago Center for Green Technology presenting Constructing Rain Gardens and Bioswales. The third part of the Sustainable Site Development series.
I look forward to all of my upcoming presentations. I hope to see you at one of them!
| National Green Centre Conference |
Local environmental expert traveling to Washington D.C.
Westfield, IN – Local environmental expert Tom Barrett has been selected to join a group of Hoosiers traveling to Washington D.C. next week (July 20-22) to talk with Indiana’s Congressional delegation about the importance of federal climate and energy legislation.
Barrett is traveling with the Indiana Businesses for a Clean Energy Economy. The IBCEE will be focused on building support for comprehensive climate and energy legislation on the federal level during their time in Washington D.C.
“I am honored the IBCEE has invited me to meet with Indiana’s Congressional leaders,” says Barrett. “Environmental issues are an important topic in Washington D.C. right now and I am looking forward to working with everyone.”.
Rain Water Harvesting & Condensate Recovery – New Tools for Sustainable Site Development
Title: Rain Water Harvesting & Condensate Recovery – New Tools for Sustainable Site Development
Location: Chicago Center for Green Technology
Description: In its Report Card for America’s Infrastructure, the American Society of Civil Engineers rated our nation’s wastewater, stormwater, and drinking water systems a “D” minus, the lowest grade in any infrastructure category. Rainwater gardens and bioswales are transformative approaches to sustainable site development. Constructing Rain Gardens and Bioswales is part of a continuing series of engineering solutions to water management that protects, restores, and mimics the natural water cycle. Rain gardens and bioswales incorporates both the natural environment and engineered systems to provide clean water, conserve ecosystems, and provide a wide variety of benefits for people and wildlife. Additionally, all this can be accomplished at a significantly lower cost than conventional concrete and mortar infrastructure. Join Tom Barrett as he explains how the use of locally produced water helps develop a “natural approach” to the efficient use of water and relieves stormwater management issues.
Start Time: 6:00 pm
Date: 2010-04-20
End Time: 9:00 pm
.