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charlesgale: The Energy-Water Collision 10 Things You Should Know 
salakahle: HSBC is trying to position itself as the first carbon neutral bank in the world. They have launched an interesting ad campaign that portrays submerged cityscapes as a consequence of global warming.
poptech: NYC Green Infrastructure Plan: In September 2010, New York City released the NYC Green Infrastructure Plan which presents an alternative approach to improving water quality that integrates “green infrastructure,” such as swales and green roofs, with investments to optimize the existing system and to build targeted, cost-effective “grey” or traditional infrastructure.
Adding to water managers’ unease, scientists predict that prolonged droughts will be more frequent in decades to come as the Southwest’s climate warms. As Lake Mead’s level drops, Hoover Dam’s capacity to generate electricity, which, like the Colorado River water, is sent around the Southwest, diminishes with it. If Lake Mead levels fall to 1,050 feet, it may be impossible to use the dam’s turbines, and the flow of electricity could cease.
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— Water Use in Southwest Heads for a Day of Reckoning - NYTimes.com

US hit peak water in 1970 and nobody noticed

A new analysis suggests that it may be valuable to consider applying it to a renewable resource as well: the planet’s water supply.

The analysis, performed by staff at the Pacific Institute, recognizes that there are some significant differences between petroleum and water. For oil, using it involves a chemical transformation that won’t be reversed except on geological time scales. Using water often leaves it in its native state, with a cycle that returns it to the environment in a geologic blink of an eye.

Still, the authors make a compelling argument that, not only can there be a peak water, but the US passed this point around 1970, apparently without anyone noticing.

By John Timmer via ars technica

Concord, MA to Become First City to Ban Bottled Water

fauxshizzle:

Last week residents of Concord, Massachusetts voted to ban the sale of all bottled water by next January, making it the first U.S. town to take such action.

The effort was lead by Jean Hill, an 82-year old activist, who lobbied neighbors and officials alike on the consequences of plastic bottles filling landfills and polluting local waters. “All these discarded bottles are damaging our planet, causing clumps of garbage in the oceans that hurt fish, and are creating more pollution on our streets,” says Hil. “This is a great achievement to be the first in the country to do this. This is about addressing an injustice.”

Of course, the $10 billion industry is less than thrilled with the news and has even threatened a legal challenge. They argue that singling out bottled water is unfair when “thousands of food, medicinal, beauty and cleaning products packaged in plastic.” But this isn’t the first time bottled water has been targeted.

More than 100 towns across the United States already prohibit spending city dollars on the product.

maizans: (via ummhello)