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April 2006 E-news
Water is the staple of all life on this planet – without
it, we wouldn’t exist! With humankind’s fate so
closely tied to this precious resource, one would EXPECT that
water would be carefully guarded and preserved….but
that’s not actually true! North Americans and Europeans
use APPALLINGLY superfluous amounts of this crucial resource.
While the demand for water is increasing, the amount of clean
water is decreasing; it’s too often taken for granted.
Changes must be made, or else the actions of the past will
create the ghosts of the future!
Water Pollution
Worldwide, water pollution is a major problem. For example:
- Each year we’re using more and more pesticides that
increase crop yields dramatically. Many of their adverse
effects are still unknown. Pesticides can leach through
the soil into the groundwater and have devastating effects
on ecosystems, due largely to something called biomagnification,
where toxic substances increase in strength as they move
up the food chain.
- Our Drinking Water’s Not Safe!
Most treatment plants cannot remove the pesticides from
the water to make it safe to drink.
- The Great Lakes are known as a “chemical hotspot”,
where over 360 chemical compounds have been found, many
of which are toxic. Fish in the Great Lakes are plagued
by tumours and lesions, and the reproductive capacity of
fish, mammals, and birds in the area have declined.
- Species Are Disappearing!
In Lake Ontario, seven of the ten species of highly
commercial fish have nearly completely disappeared.
That’s 70%!
- A little goes a long ways, and that’s not always
a good thing. Did you know that:
- One drop of oil can ruin 25 LITRES of water; or that
- One gram of lead, leaching from plumbing in older
houses, can contaminate 20,000 LITRES of water; or that
- One gram of the common herbicide 2,4-D can make 10
MILLION LITRES of water unsafe; or that
- One gram of PCBs can make ONE BILLION LITRES of water
uninhabitable for aquatic life!
So you see, water pollution not only seriously impacts the
environment, but humans as well. It’s a major issue
in humanity’s fight for continued existence on Earth.
Water, Water Everywhere? Nope!
While it may seem there is an inexhaustible amount of water
of the Earth, only 3% is fresh water, (that’s 3% out
of 100%!) and two thirds of this a tiny 1% is frozen in glaciers
and ice caps. What’s more, of the remaining water left
– one third of 1% -half of THIS the remaining 1 % of
water is found underground, and is not easily accessible.
But imagine - the average North American uses 340 L of water
per day, and something as simple as watering the lawn can
use 1,130 L. Is this sustainable, when in reality we have
such little water to work with? Or even fair, considering
that water is not easy to access for many people in the world?
Consider this:
- On March 22, 2005, the United Nation’s “Day
of Water” , UNICEF reported that
more than ONE BILLION people across the planet get their
drinking water from polluted water sources
- The Red Cross has reported that 2.4 BILLION people have
no access to sanitization facilities.
- More than THREE MILLION people per year die because of
diseases related to dirty water and poor sanitization.
- In developing nations, 80% of diseases are caused by the
consumption of contaminated water.
If humans are to improve this sad state of affairs in which
many countries find themselves, we must create a sustainable
water supply for the future.
Water Use
In the 20th century, water usage for agricultural purposes
has more than tripled. As the world’s population increases
and with it the demand for food, water use will continue to
increase. Historically, there have been issues with unfair
distribution of water. Consider this:
- China has nearly a quarter of the world’s population
and only 6% of its fresh water. Many streams are polluted
or dried up, and much of the available water is used for
industrial purposes. Water tables are dropping at an
astounding rate of 1.5 meters per year. Many northern
cities already face severe water shortages, and as Western
appliances that use water excessively are installed, this
problem will only become more serious.
- The Worldwatch
Institute has predicted that China
will be the first economy that will literally have to
restructure itself around the growing issue of water
scarcity.
The water crisis is too often overlooked. From pollution
causing millions of deaths a year, to the exponentially increasing
demand for such a limited resource, this is an issue that
can no longer be ignored. As potable water becomes more and
more scarce, it is clear that lack of adequate safe supplies
of this precious substance will be the genesis of many future
wars and cause countless deaths. Humanity’s future runs
parallel to that of water, and if action is not taken, Earth
will become devoid of all life in an empty future.
So What Can You Do?
You can take action, right here at home. Remember, even things
as simple as using pollutants or not wasting water in the
house (do your really need that extra long shower, or to wash
those jeans you only wore once?). And Green Street is becoming
part of the solution too. Lots of our program providers, such
as Safe
Drinking Water Foundation or Clean
Nova Scotia teach about water issues.
And other providers, such as the Otesha
Project, Sierra
Club of Canada, BC Chapter, and Earth
Day Canada have tons of environmental
stewardship strategies so that you too can become part of
the solution. Check out their web pages for more information!
Website Review: Ducks Unlimited
Canada
By Keshia Laffin
Saving our wildlife and conserving our wetlands are both
very important issues. Ducks Unlimited Canada touches on both.
I decided to look at their website to see what they have to
offer.
Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) is a national,
private, non-profit organization. They have been committed
to wetland conservation for more than 65 years. Despite all
of their efforts, wetlands continue to be threatened and lost
at an alarming rate everyday. As much as seventy percent of
Canada’s original wetlands have been lost throughout
the country. The good news is that DUC is active in every
province and territory.
What is a wetland? When many people think
of a wetland, they think of waterfowl. Wetlands across Canada
provide critical habitat for the life cycle of ducks, geese,
swans, and many other waterfowl species. These wetland habitats
also support approximately 600 species of wetlands plants,
animals, insects and they benefit people too. A wetland is
a lowland area, such as a marsh or swamp, that is saturated
with moisture, especially when regarded as the natural habitat
of wildlife.
So how does DUC go about saving our wetlands? First, DUC
identifies the habitats of greatest importance to the waterfowl
and the waterfowl species, especially those in the greatest
need of help. Then DUC turns to its conservation programs.
DUC offers education for youth through their Project
Webfoot program. This program is presented
in schools, focusing on grades 4 through 6. The goal is to
teach today’s students – who are the decision
makers and conservation leaders of tomorrow – about
the tremendous value of wetland habitats. DUC provides exciting
kits of engaging in-class materials, and the students go on
wetland field trips. Another program DUC runs is their Great
Greenwing Adventure – profiled in this
April’s e-newsletter.
All of DUC’s efforts would not be possible with its
sponsors. Many corporations, foundations and individuals across
Canada generously support wetland and environmental education
for students in their communities by sponsoring classes.
Did you know… that DUC is partnered
up with great programs like ePALs, and Green
Street, to offer wetland and environmental education
programs?
DUC has so much information on their website: www.ducks.ca.
You can find more information about DUC in your province,
wetland and waterfowl conservation, and how you can help.
Great Greenwing Adventure
Do you care about wetlands and love spending time outdoors?
Are you a 13-17 year old and interested in learning new skills
and meeting other youth from across Canada? Then apply to
be a part of the Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) Great
Greenwing Adventure to take part in the eco-adventure
of a lifetime!
Ten lucky teenagers from across Canada will be selected and
sponsored by DUC for an action-packed week at Oak Hammock
Marsh, Manitoba. You’ll learn about wetlands, wildlife
and conservation, and develop knowledge and skills that will
help you in your future studies and career choices.
From August 12-18, 2006, this team of young environmentalists
will have fun learning new skills while getting involved in
a load of exciting, hands-on activities, like:
- Bird-banding, geocaching, fishing and decoy carving
- Survival skills, first-aid, camping and archery
Plus, you’ll spend time with DUC’s scientists
and interpreters learning about the cutting-edge environmental
research that guides DUC’s wetland
conservation work. Track down a duck using radio
telemetry. Choose a conservation project site using satellite
imagery and GIS technology. You’ll get to do ALL of
this and more at the Great Greenwing Adventure!
That’s not all! You’ll make new friends from
across Canada with the same interests as you and have a chance
to attend another adventure camp in the southern United States.
It’s a week filled with campfires, swimming and outdoor
fun! The Great Greenwing Adventure is a great
way to meet new friends, learn about the environment and have
fun.
To apply to be a part of the Great Greenwing Adventure
team, fill out the on-line
application form no later than
June 9, 2006. Tell us about the environmental
and outdoor experiences you’ve already been involved
in and why you’d be a good choice to go on the Adventure.
THAT’S IT! We want to see you on the Great Greenwing
Adventure—enter TODAY at their website.
Carolinian Canada Conservation
Awards: Do You Know A Conservation Hero?
You can nominate an individual or group (including special
categories for youth and lifetime achievement) for actions
that are innovative, effective, caring or daring to help protect
the unique natural spaces and species of Carolinian Canada.
Carolinian Canada is the southernmost area of Canada, and
is surrounded by three of the Great Lakes – Lake Huron,
Erie and Ontario.
Your hero may, for example, have produced an inspiring publication,
held an awesome event, created exceptional outreach tools,
wrote an astounding piece of conservation journalism, saved
significant lands, restored critical habitat, helped neighbours
in conservation stewardship, developed key policy, protected
important water sources, rallied for natural areas, saved
a species at risk…
An Individual Nominee may be a dedicated landowner,
stakeholder, professional or volunteer who has acted above
and beyond expectations. A Group Nominee may be non-profit,
a government agency, business, industry, media or partnership
that has integrated conservation into new areas or made great
strides for nature. A Youth Nominee may be a young
person, youth group or youth program that is active in protecting
Carolinian Canada’s unique nature. A Lifetime Achievement
Nominee may be an individual or group that has shown
exceptional commitment over many years to advance conservation
success in Carolinian Canada. The deadline for submission
is May 31st, 2006.
For more information, visit www.carolinian.org/Awards.htm
Run or Walk for Wilderness
Join the Calgary/Banff Canadian Parks & Wilderness Society
(CPAWS) on Sunday May 14th, 2006 in Calgary for our annual
wilderness conservation fundraiser. Collect pledges on your
own or as a school team and choose to run 10km or walk 5km
through the beautiful Fish Creek Provincial Park. Entry fee
is $30.00.
Raise money for nature and yourself!
- The school team (up to 10 people) that collects the most
pledges will receive half of their total pledge money collected
to direct towards a school project!
- Individuals who collect $250 or more receive awesome gift
certificates from Patagonia, the Running Room or MEC.
- The person that collects the most pledges wins an exciting
day in the Bow Valley with a wildlife biologist. Melanie
Percy will help you track a grizzly bear and learn a little
more about this elusive animal.
And we have door prizes, free treats and gift bags, too!
All this, just for doing your part to help conserve wilderness.
For more info, or to sign up, check out: www.cpawscalgary.org/running-wild/index.html.
The Calgary/Banff chapter of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness
Society (CPAWS) is a non-profit group that works to protect
wilderness in Southern Alberta. To find out more about what
we do, visit www.cpawscalgary.org
or contact Kim Kiel, School Programs Director: kkiel@cpawscalgary.org;
(403) 232-6686.
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