Life Straw

Life Straw

This article in Newsweek (suggested by Malia) reports on a new device that works as a portable water filter that will only cost $3 and filter about 185 gallons (1 years worth of drinking water).

Most of the LifeStraw's users will never drink anything fancier than plain water through the device. But its impact on their lives can't be overstated. More than 1 billion people worldwide lack access to safe drinking water, and 6,000 people die each day of waterborne diseases like typhoid, cholera and dysentery. In regions like sub-Saharan Africa, half of most people's water consumption takes place outside the home—either while they're working, or walking to and from school. Vestergaard Frandsen S.A.—which also produces mosquito nets and plastic sheeting coated with insecticide to fend off malaria—hopes that the $3 LifeStraw will drastically lessen their chances of getting sick.

Reminds me of the fog harvesting article I put up a while ago... neat stuff.

A False Dilemma Between Water and Energy?

A False Dilemma?

This article in the Christian Science Monitor points out the growing concern in the US Southwest about water shortages. While droughts in the desert are nothing new, the concern is that water usage by electric utilities accounts for about 60 percent of all non-farm water usage. In a region that is growing by leaps and bounds this could be a problem. As more people move in, more electricity is demanded, thus more water to produce the electricity is required. But let's not forget that we drink water and bathe in it, wash our cars and water our lawns with it too.

So how do we produce enough electricity to maintain our lifestyles while keeping enough water available to drink, shower, bath and keep all the little animals who also need water happy? Well, if you read my previous post, you will know my opinion. Solar power! The sun provides us very close to free energy. All we have to do is catch it!