The United Nations has warned that within two decades, the majority of the earth’s population could face serious water shortages. If we all become more aware of the amount of water we each consume and make conserving water a part of our daily practices, we will be part of the solution to this looming problem.

In our homes, the bathroom is where most water is consumed. For the average family approximately 18 percent of their total water usage is from bathing and showering. Our toilets account for as much as 28% of our water consumption. What can you do to reduce water consumption in the bathroom?

* Use a bucket or watering can to catch water that would normally go down the drain as you wait for your shower water to warm.

* Replace shower heads with low flow fixtures. Prior to 1992 the flow from shower heads was 5 gallons of water per minute. After that date the flow was cut in half to 2.5 gallons per minute.

*Take shorter showers. Shortening your shower by just one minute can save as much as 912 gallons of water a year.

*Consider replacing high flush toilets with a low flush model.

*If replacing the toilet isn’t an option, place a plastic milk jug filled with water or rocks in the tank. This will displace some of the water that would normally fill the tank.

The typical single-family suburban household uses at least 30 percent of their water outdoors for irrigation. Some experts estimate that more than 50 percent of landscape water use goes to waste due to evaporation or runoff caused by over watering. What can you do to reduce your water consumption in the garden?

* Install drip irrigation systems. These use 20 to 50 percent less water than in-ground sprinkler systems and water isn’t lost to runoff.

* Water gardens just after sunrise or at sunset to reduce evaporation.

* Mulch gardens to reduce watering requirements.

* Cut grass a little longer and more often and then leave the cut grass as mulch.

* Use drought tolerant plants in your garden and drought resistant grass for lawn. * Sweep leaves off the driveway rather than using the hose to remove them. * Consider capturing rain in a barrel to use for your gardening needs. Use rainwater for your yard and garden, and lower your water bill. A roof area of only 1,000 sq ft can provide approximately 600 gallons of water during a one inch rainfall. Adapting just a few of these tips into your daily routine will not only save you money on your water bill but also conserve the precious water that is needed for all forms of life to exist.

Environmentally friendly products and practices are becoming the way of the world and they are also a major part of life today. With the environment worsening under the weight of problems like pollution, global warming and deforestation, it has become essential that everyone do their best to save the earth from further destruction. Switching to green alternatives, utilizing eco-friendly products and using environmentally friendly practices are a few ways of doing this. To further the impact, businesses around the globe are starting to employ greener business practices, and you can too.

According to a survey conducted by GfK Roper Public Affairs & Media and the Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies, even during these times of economic instability, many Americans are willing to pay extra for eco-friendly products. Half of the respondents said they would “definitely” or “probably” pay 15 percent more for eco-friendly clothes detergents (51percent) or for an automobile (50 percent). Forty percent said they would spend 15 percent more on “green” computer printer paper and 39 percent would do the same for “green” wood furniture.

As these statistics show, consumers are becoming increasingly environmentally conscious and, therefore, it has become necessary for businesses to follow suit too. The selection of environmentally friendly products and green alternatives has grown exponentially in the last few years. This makes it easy to integrate eco-friendly products and practices into advertising goals and business routines.

A great way that businesses and individuals can show their support for a healthier environment while promoting is through the use of eco-friendly promotional products. One such product is the reusable water bottle, most commonly made out of BPA-free plastics, stainless steel and aluminum. Reusable bottles are a hot commodity right now and the population loves them. Reusable products are a great way to replace disposable products and to cut down on unnecessary waste.

Reusable grocery bags and totes are another great products that can be reused as well. They are very popular right now for retail businesses, grocery stores, tradeshows, business events and promoting. Reusable shopping bags help cut down on the use of disposable bags while potentially gaining exposure for your business or event.

Seeded products and biodegradable paper products are another fantastic choice for businesses looking to grow their brand identity. Items like custom printed seed packets, seed infused business cards, and seeded bookmarks are a great ways to promote any business or event. They help support a healthier environment while providing a fun and memorable promotional item. What better way to promote than by providing a interactive product that you can grow?

Purchasing eco-friendly products is an important way of helping keep the environment as healthy as possible. If everyone makes small steps to make a difference, the impact could be huge, especially if businesses and corporations get involved. Could your company go paperless, switch to energy friendly alternatives, recycle or use eco-friendly promotional items and green office supplies? Look for positive ways you or your business can help the environment and use green alternatives whenever possible.

Strive to make your business leave a positive impact on the environment while building brand credibility with green promotions and eco-friendly practices. A little effort can make a big impact. Start going green today.

Wetlands are to nature what kidneys are to the human body.

By using these natural kidneys as filters, a South Carolina county is processing wastewater in an energy efficient manner while leaving the wetlands unharmed.

In Horry County — South Carolina’s fastest growing county with Myrtle Beach as its hub — a sewage disposal system is dumping 450,000 gallons of wastewater a day into wetlands. And the natural settings are thriving.

“Fifty percent of the county is wetlands, so it became a natural alternative to consider,” said Larry Schwartz, an environmental planner with the Grand Strand Water and Sewer Authority, which handles wastewater treatment for the county. “We’re just using the natural filtering ability of the land to renovate wastewater.”

The wastewater is being distributed evenly across one Carolina Bay, an example of the egg-shaped natural depressions unique to coastal regions of the Southeast. These bays, usually filled with peat and shrubs, act as buffers between the uplands and the region’s fragile black-water rivers — so named because they are dark-colored, slow-moving and hold small amounts of dissolved oxygen.

Currently, only one bay is receiving wastewater. But eventually four bays may be used to treat up to 2.5 million gallons a day as the county grows over the next 20 years, Schwartz said.

A series of boardwalks crisscrosses the bay to support distribution pipes carrying the wastewater. Two-inch holes every 15 to 20 feet allow the water to splash on rocks and disperse evenly across the bay.

The wastewater has been treated to secondary levels before it enters the bay, Schwartz said, meaning 85 percent of all organics and wastes have been removed. To finish cleaning the water using man-made treatment systems, large amounts of energy are required.

“But in this case we’re using energy from the sun,” he said. “That’s the beauty of it — the system is cost-effective and energy-efficient.”

A dozen government agencies at both state and national levels are involved in the project. Two biologists work full time testing the water quality and studying the natural habitat, Schwartz said.

“Our goal is to maintain the value of the natural communities in the bays and manage them so they remain the same — and in the process achieve advanced wastewater treatment,” he said.

The project has generated plenty of interest from other states, including some that hope to construct their own wetlands for similar purposes, said Schwartz, who averages at least one tour a week of the county’s wastewater system.

“It’s a major new way to do things,” he said. “With wetlands, if they are selected and managed properly, there is no reason not to use them.”

(Tip/Stat) Carolina Bays are the only place Venus Fly Traps — the infamous carnivorous plant — can be found in the United States.

Technorati Tags: wetlands, South Carolina, wastewater, wastewater treatment, energy, going green, environmental issues

Source: South Carolina

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.

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.