The earth’s most abundant resource, and still we have trouble finding adequate clean drinking water for nearly 1 billion people worldwide. Climate forecasts can play a role in planning for meteorological events that contaminate and pollute water reserves. With pollution levels rising and frequent flooding throughout the world, advanced warning and proper monitoring could help alleviate some of the growing problems of the water management needed to provide clean accessible water to all.

2 September 2008 – The chief of the United Nations meteorological agency today called for weather forecasts to play a greater role in planning for economic development and poverty reduction because of the impact climate change has on water resources.

Michel Jarraud, the Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), told the World Water Congress that the agricultural, energy, tourism and health sectors are among those most affected by the impact of climate change due to drought, deterioration in water quality, increased run-off and an increase in the salinization of ground water as a result of rising sea levels.

“Mainstreaming climate change in decision-making processes will therefore be central to all development and poverty alleviation efforts,” he said at the meeting, held in Montpellier, France.

Source: un.org

In other water news, water management corruption in impoverished nations leads to a further deteriorating system for providing water to those that are in desperate need. Corruption is said to increase the price for water services by 10-30% worldwide. Many of the people hurt the most by this are those cannot afford basic necessities, let alone the price that comes after bribes and corruption has ran its part.

Africa’s largest water transfer effort, the Lesotho Highlands Water Project, plans to supply water to the industrial heartland of South Africa and to generate energy for impoverished Lesotho. The multi-billion dollar investment offers economic growth and greater water security for underserved communities in the region.

The project also presents water officials with countless opportunities to become rich on the side. In 2002, Lesotho courts sentenced the project’s chief executive to prison for accepting bribes from 18 multinational companies that were vying for construction contracts.

The Lesotho case is a rare example of justice. Across the globe, the water sector is particularly prone to corruption, and the world’s poor are usually the ones who suffer the costs.

The pervasive nature of dirty water politics is blamed for much of the stalled progress in improving access to water resources in this year’s Global Corruption Report. It is the first report to assess how corruption affects the water sector worldwide.

The widespread corruption noted in the report reflects the large challenge of solving the world’s water problems. As growing populations compete for shrinking water resources, the opportunities for corruption will increase and the damaging effects will become more severe.

Source: worldwatch.org

Marine turtle populations have declined drastically over recent years and now of the known 7 species, all are considered protected under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). By acknowledging the bleak situation we have created for sea turtles, multi-national programs have began to collaborate resources in an effort to protect the nesting grounds and ocean habitats needed for a recovery of marine turtle populations.

Many factors have contributed to the decline including the over harvesting of eggs, destructions of habitats, pollution, fishing nets, and contact with ocean vessels. These actions combined with the low survival rate of hatchlings due to predators, have escalated the need to provide a working program to address the situation.

In the Philippines and Indonesia, Green turtle eggs are being poached and collected at unsustainable record highs. Entire ecosystems deteriorate with the loss of sea turtles as eggs and even decaying hatchlings help provide nutrients to areas that lack other natural means of plant production. Also, marine grasses are dependent on grazing animals such as sea turtles, to maintain a healthy production of wide spread grass beds, as opposed to taller blades that block out sunlight to the ocean floor. These sea beds provide shelter and sustenance to many other marine animals and the decline of the sea turtle has consequences for them all.

Some species, like the Pacific leatherback, are at a critical level with fewer than 500 females coming home to nest on the beaches of Mexico and Costa Rica. Alongside natural threats, poaching appears to be the top cause of their decline. Because some females take 30 years to mature, the effects of over harvesting and fishing can take years to remedy.

Although sea turtles have struggled recently, many conservation groups are putting in time and resources to help their plight. A new agreement has been laid out to coordinate efforts to increase and protect turtle populations. 27 signatories to the agreement are giving a broader picture of efforts and accomplishments being put forth to meet population goals.

The United Nations Environment Programme’s, Douglas Hykle, states “Participating countries have made progress in many areas, but there is still room for improvement. Many have yet to clearly describe their resource needs and to mobilize sufficient funding for domestic implementation; and only a few are carrying the burden of supporting international coordination efforts.”

One effect of sea turtle conservation can be seen in the increase in population of the Kemp’s ridley sea turtle. Though, down to just 700 nests in 1985, the Kemp’s ridley turtle has made a comeback thanks to efforts by the Mexican government to curb illegal harvests and lower the effects of shrimp trawlers.

Loggerhead turtles, off the coast of South Africa, have increased greatly over the past four decades with some 1,750 nests compared to a low of only 250. Loggerhead and other sea turtles are important because they have been known to carry as many as 100 different species of plants and animals in and upon their shells, being directly responsible for the survival of many different marine species.

Over the course of Earth’s history, many animals and plants have become extinct and it is only natural. Recently, though, dramatic changes created by humans are forcing the rapid decline in many vital species of marine plants and animals. As outlined above, many of these animals are vital to the health and future of thousands of other marine species. By acknowledging the problem exists, we can begin to address beneficial steps to change the course of current events. The Bali conference that is taking place shortly, will help to further examine the recent UNEP report about sea turtles and being to change the communication of participating countries and organizations.

Des Moines, Iowa:
On Saturday, the Polk Country Conservation Board hosted the 7th annual River Run Garbage Grab to clean up trash and debris along the Des Moines River south of the Saylorville Reservoir. Canoes, kayaks, and motorboats were launched along the river, by volunteers, to scour the banks and sandbars. Throughout the morning hours, boaters braved the beautiful weather and shining sun hoping to bring back the biggest piece of garbage.

Garbage sacks full of trash and canoes piled with everything from tires to rusty drums, were deposited safely into the hands of conservation board staff. Metro Waste Authority provided garbage bags and dumpsters for anything someone was willing to haul out of the river.
Tires appeared to be especially sought after, as one volunteer could be heard cheering for a canoe delivering a pile of metal, paper, and a dirty fat tire.

Though, it did not appear that anything was found as big as the engine block that was hauled out during 2007, the Des Moines River is definitely a cleaner waterway after the great work by Iowa residents.

The river was not the only thing that got a thorough cleaning. Those volunteers that chose to stay on land, walked along the shore and picked up garbage lying near walking and biking trails. Among the trash collected on land was a twin sized mattress, propane tanks, beer cans, and countless coils of fishing line and bait containers.

Many groups were represented at the River Run Garbage Grab ’08. Some of those in attendance were the Izaak Walton League of America, Des Moines Water Works and Central Iowa Anglers. The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Unit, Flotilla 4 of Des Moines Iowa, provided safety and security services which included a patrol vessel and jet skis. Their professionalism was put to the test when a motorboat capsized and the occupants were helped from the water. This effort would not have been made possible without all of the support from the many Iowan sponsors and volunteers.

Later today, a special celebration is being hosted for all of the volunteers involved. Free food, music, and door prizes will be given away at the Simon Estes Amphitheater. The entertainment will be provided by the Des Moines Community Steel Drum Band, Plymouth Church Chancel Choir, and John Stravers and the Big Blue Sky Band.

As an Iowan and American, I would like to personally thank all those involved with this great community service project. Keeping our rivers and trails clean is a small project that every community can contribute to. By spreading the word, the next annual River Run Garbage Grab will be even bigger and more beneficial.

Thank you Iowa.

For more information about the River Run Garbage Grab, visit RiverStewards.org

Native fish species have evolved over time to counter threats of bacteria, fungus, disease, and other native predatory species.  By adapting to the gradually changing environment, many of the species present today have became extremely robust in dealing with external pressures.  Until fairly recently though, native U.S. fish species have had little reason to adapt to the habits and threats of other species half way across the globe.  Now, with the addition of new species to U.S. waters, fish and plants have new challenges that they are not equipped to handle.

Recently, the Associated Press, has published information concerning the introduction of red lionfish from the Indian Ocean, into the coastal waters of Florida and the Caribbean.  Though a magnificent looking marine fish, the red lionfish population is beginning to swell and create problems for smaller native reef fish.  With poisonous spines and a voracious appetite, lionfish will consume any fish and crustaceans small enough to fit inside its mouth.

Not only is the lionfish a disaster for local marine life, the sting from the poison spines can be extremely painful for any person unlucky enough to get in its way.  This poison is a great defense for the fish, as very few larger species are able to consume the red lion, and rarely will a predator make the mistake twice.

Fisherman and divers in areas experiencing an increase of red lionfish, are being encouraged to catch and report any sightings.  These actions may help to control the outbreak, but it is very unlikely to have a profound effect on the numbers.

Since water quality and composition varies greatly around the world’s oceans, with the exception of the red lionfish, marine animals rarely become a problem that cannot be controlled by natural processes.  On the other hand, fresh bodies of water are much more susceptible to damage by “out-of-town” animals.

Salmon along the Snake and Columbia rivers, are quickly declining in population due to non-native species consuming large amounts of the food sources and eggs.  The spread of parasites is also of great concern.

Quite ironically, the bass and walleye causing these problems, were introduced by biologists to provide a better environment for sport fisherman. Since recreational fishing provides funding in the form of licensing and taxes, stocking these game fishes was not thought to cause harm. Now, efforts to reduce the number of these game fish, have proven unsuccessful. The rate of reproduction out numbers any progress made my biologists and anglers to decrease the numbers of bass and walleye.

These new species are very well tailored to life within new reservoirs created by hydro electric dams.  While bass, shad, and walleye flourish in the large open waters, salmon prefer the swift flowing waters of rivers and streams.

While developing ways to create clean energy and new opportunities, we must be sensitive to the outcomes of any changes made to the current surrounding habitats. Though hydro power is an abundant source of power, and man made reservoirs can increase the volume of water for fish and crustaceans, not all animals are effected the same. When non-native species find local waters well suited to their survival, many native species can be lost in the transition. Proper research and a little bit of restraint will help to keep native species thriving. Most of these situations can be avoiding by following local laws and regulations governing the release of non-native species into water sources.