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 by kevin, on April 13th, 2010
Is there a word to describe that phenomenon where something is invisible to you until someone points it out, then you become hyper aware of it? You know what I mean. Your best friend buys a car you’ve never heard of or seen before, and suddenly you see that car everywhere. That’s how I’m starting to feel about water issues. I can’t tell whether I’m now more aware, or if I’m seeing increased discussion of the topic because it represents a potentially dire crisis needing attention. As an example, when entering a bookstore over the weekend I was met with a whole magazine rack filled with the latest National Geographic; a special issue about water. I see water everywhere now.
Less than a year ago I hadn’t yet delivered a presentation exclusively about water. Water was part of a larger slide show I’ve been giving around the country, but I didn’t have enough material for a dedicated lecture. Then I met Joseph Treves and Sherri Akers who were organizing the Mar Vista Wise Water Use Expo (I posted about it here). Mar Vista is a very progressive bedroom community in Los Angeles aggressively pursuing knowledge and looking at how to transform their neighborhoods into more sustainable communities. They asked me to develop a short, but powerful, show just about water. The three of us crafted a compelling message concerning excessive water usage in southern California, how changing climate conditions are impacting supply potential, and the very serious need for conservation. When delivered it was one of the briefest shows I’ve ever done; a mere twelve minutes. But based on reaction it was one with significant and lasting effect. From it, I’ve met more fascinating people than all of my previous shows combined.
Janie Thompson was in attendance that evening. She’s told me several times how my show convinced her to rip up her lawn and stop eating meat. Although that kind of reaction was not my intention, it’s nice to hear. Too often I think audiences forget what’s been said the minute they leave the venue. But Janie was so moved by the entire event that she decided someone had to start generating awareness in her own community of Encino. That person turned out to be her.
Read more 2010 Valley Water Expo 
by kevin, on March 30th, 2010 
Two of the most populous nations in the world, China and India, are likely to experience the most dramatic water crisis this century. And though it may seem logical to expect that rapidly rising populations would be the principal cause, it will more likely be due to quickly diminishing supply of fresh water sources. Runoff from the Himalayan mountain range feeds seven of the largest river systems in the world and provides water to 40% of the world’s population. Yet everyday, those systems become more polluted and less viable for human use. In China, more than three quarters of all major rivers are so contaminated they can no longer support aquatic life. Seven of the ten most polluted cities are in China. Such pollution is leading to significant immediate water shortage in some of their biggest population centers. In India, more than 700 million people do not have adequate sanitation. Many of their sacred rivers, like the Ganges, are teeming with raw sewage. Degradation is occurring at a pace equal to, or faster than, increases in demand.
Where other natural resources have potential substitutes, water does not. It’s the one resource humans cannot live without. As we’ve mentioned in many earlier posts, although three quarters of the planet is covered with water, the vast majority of it cannot be used without treatment. Less than 1% off all the water on Earth is fresh and accessible. There are several critical factors which further reduce that scarce amount, and the pollution mentioned above is just one covered in considerable detail in Maude Barlow’s latest book Blue Covenant: The Global Water Crisis and the Coming Battle for the Right to Water.
Barlow is a writer and activist with admirable credentials. She is the founder of the Blue Planet Project and the board chair of Food & Water Watch. She’s received eight honorary doctorates and written, or co-written, 16 books which cover the topics of globalization and the environment. She has become an international figure addressing global water issues.
Read more review: Blue Covenant
by kevin, on March 13th, 2010
Two weeks ago Aleida and I took a dreadful red-eye flight from LA to Miami. I hate red-eye flights. We flew with Virgin America this time, which was a new experience for us. Having an internet connection while en-route helped me wrap up the final details of a show I was scheduled [...]
by aleida, on March 4th, 2010
When looking at a map, I find it actually shocking to see just how geographically close Florida is to a huge part of Latin America. What to many in Mexico, Central and South America seems like a world away is really just a few hours’ flight over some water. From Los Angeles, [...]
by kevin, on October 16th, 2009 Of the major southwestern cities – Los Angeles, San Diego, Phoenix, and Las Vegas – San Diego’s battle for water independence has been the longest and hardest fought. Thirst for Independence: The San Diego Water Story by Dan Walker is a marvelously entertaining and detailed accounting of that struggle. The primary difference that sets [...]
by kevin, on October 12th, 2009 If you’re looking for an incredibly informative, yet terribly depressing, account of the perilous state of U.S. water supply, read Ken Midkiff’s book Not a Drop to Drink: America’s Water Crisis (And What You Can Do). As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, although the Earth surface is largely covered by water, seventy-five percent, most [...]
by kevin, on October 9th, 2009 The Colorado River is one of the most controlled and manipulated bodies of water in the world. Three major dams – Glen Canyon, Hoover, and Parker – hold back what was one of the mightiest rivers to create Lake Powell, Lake Mead, and Lake Havasu. There are several other dams along the entire river route, but these are the largest. [...]
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the valley Hannity forgot
The more I read about the issue the more troubled I am with the way certain television commentators have been presenting the story. In particular, I think Sean Hannity is doing valley residents a grave disservice. He continues to proclaim – just turn on the water – as a simple solution to a very complex issue. [...]