Journal 46

While there are a plethora of things that can be done to protect water and conserve it in the first world, there are a limited means of extricating water and turning it into a sustainable resource for developing countries. And for some developing countries, keeping the water they have with the least bit of waste is almost a as difficult as the actual collection of it in others. For example, in India, water is not a source in serious concern of deminishing. Yet the UN has shown that 25% of the worlds use of water comes from India and most of that is wasted because of poor containment units and leaky piping systems. So much so that there are still States in this quickly developing country that have issues of water and drought.

But there are things that can be effective in make positive changes to developing countries. These are water harvesting, water desalinization, water regulations, proper policy making, and water workshops that train on water use and recycling. These are cost effective means of helping LDCs and LLDCs in combating water consumption issues. In the case of India and water harvesting, there is a yearly competition with prizes of 2,000,00 for the top water saving group and 1,000,000 for individuals.

Possibly the most effective means of water conservation and consumption though, and I cringe to say this, is for the intervention of corporations that invest in large tracks of land and then incentivize local farmers by creating local/community management councils that set policies which, if goals are met, re-imburse local communities financially, thus preserving the endemic ecology and incentivizing positive water standards. This has even been done, in France, by Perrier Vittel a division of Nestle S.A., the world’s largest food company. Perrier Vittel is also the largest bottled water company in the world.

Journal 45

The answer to making changes in non-developed countries is political change. Not revolutions or grand sweepings in democratic elections, but in the way they think about the benefits of water and horticulture in their countries. By re-inventing irrigation and water consumption techniques, a huge change can be made. And, in my opinion, it is easier for them to make these changes now than later when there will be more focus on sustainable economic development. Because of the time required for a natural evolution of a country, many non-developed countries try and skip the most critical step of an agricultural to industrial societal development. By skipping this step these non-developed countries overlook the incredible potential that their natural habitat provides them. And by constantly trying to overstep the natural order of things they are often left wondering what next. This leads to poor decision making and bad long-term investments. Subsequently, these wrong turns lead into further economic strife and political decay.

But by taking a step back and going step by step into the agregrian cycle with a firm understanding of the fundamentals of agriculture, a most important connection is made and the foundation upon which a country can sustain itself is assured. It will take time, but in a world that is becoming more and more fast passed, taking the time to do it right the first time, although harder, will create a much more economically secure ship to sail the ever changing tides of the global economy.

These changes have to be made through new and innovative policies. Leaders, with the fortitude to make their country a better place, and citizens, with the stalwartness to work for their posterity, can make the difference if they will but work together.

Hopefully, in the next couple of journal entries I will be able to give specific policy changes that might be beneficial in positivly charging a stable movement for sustainable mountain development.

Journal 44

A couple of days ago I found out that the Mission of Argentina was hosting a luncheon and that several members from my school were going to be here at the United Nations. It was interesting because, despite the invitation and the specific request to announce one’s self as an interested party, I would informed that the Mission of Argentina was limiting the number of attendees to those specifically invited. Not that this bothers me mind you, I have a ton of work to still deal with before I am finished. I just thought it was interesting because not even the Ambassador of Kyrgyzstan was able to get me to attend him as a +1. I did get the chance to meet those from my school though and that was a nice change of circumstance. I mostly work alone and do not have much time to meet others interested in my same field of interest. It was nice and I was able to take a picture with them.  It is nice to see individuals from my school working and doing their best here at the United Nations. It is almost night and day, the difference between when I first started school at UVU and today. A great faculty, focused on the global stage.

Journal 43

Side bar – Have you ever had a chauffeur take you around downtown Manhattan to do shopping? I have the distinct pleasure and saying that I can now cross that off my bucket list. It will be the only time in my life that I will be able to do something like that so I felt like it was something that I should mention here. Truly a fun experience.

Now, back to some of the things that I have considered. First, in an attempt to utilize less water, new methods of water preservation must be taken into consideration. This is something simple like turning the faucet off while brushing teeth. But there are other means of doing this. The Bellagio, a hotel I mentioned in a previous entry, has a wonderful water display (I was there a couple months ago and took a video of the show). As I was watching it, I kept thinking to myself that it was a truly impressive amount of water that was being used. When I enquired about this, I found out that they have huge tanks that hold the water, and that the water that is used is actually recycled over and over and over again. Meaning, that despite the massive amount of water being used, it is almost 100% recycled. And in the case of less extravagant, every day, circumstances, using more efficient water faucets, and using the best washers/dryers and dishwashers can do much to save on a person’s water bill. But these are first world solutions. What about in third world situations where a dishwater is a luxury, almost unheard of, or what about irrigation and waste disposal? Which, in the United States, uses a very large amount of water. That is something else that much be looked at and I will see about having some potential recommendations later this week.

Journal 42

I am coming into the home stretch. There are only 7 more days before I leave New York and go back home. It has been a great experience and it isn’t over yet, so I will stop this silly reminiscing and get back to what I was talking about last week.

Last week I talked about water. I talked about the water cycle, the cause of water flow degradation, and I talked about its effects. I even talked about what can be done about it. But how to get things done is what I want to talk about now.

Now that we know that there needs to be a change in our mindsets and that this change can create more sustainable practices and viewpoints on water consumption, and preservation. We have to ask ourselves how. I have asked myself this question and here are some of the things I have considered. -- As I have done many times before, I feel I should give a little bit of an addendum to my further remarks. I am not a scientist but I do lots of research on these subjects, and while I don’t go into great detail, for the sake of clarity and those who do not do the research that I do, I strive to make things as clear and simple as possible.

So for the rest of this week I will be focusing on various forms of how we can, and what is currently being done, to create a more sustainable development for the future.

Journal 41

I have had an interesting week. It started off strong feeling great and going to the UN to work. About noon on Tuesday my world turned upside down and spent until today (Sunday) in my room on my bed reading, when I could, and living in a crazy experience of fever, coughing, and general uselessness.

Earlier I mentioned the water cycle and how snow can effect water flows in relation to farming and everyday existence. Well, I did this in a very generalized and easy to comprehend way. But that water cycle and the disruption of it leads into my next question. What can be done to prevent this disruption? The answer to that is surprisingly simple yet unbelievable difficult to achieve. The best means of fixing this disruption is to get people to use less water. That means everyone in first world countries spending less time; in showers, watering their lawns in the middle of the afternoon, and turning the faucet off in the middle of brushing their teeth, to name a few.

As I have hinted at and said directly, much of our water usage is because we lack a fundamental respect for water and its part in keeping us alive. We have become so un-sensitized about its use that we waste water unconsciously. So, to get people to use less water, it means to change people’s mindsets. But, how do we begin to gain a respect for water, when people spend hundreds of dollars a year on bottled water, and how do we get people to respect water enough to stop polluting it and causing fear of local drinking water, thus causing people to purchase that substance that makes up 82% of our very bloodstream? It is by finding solutions to these questions and inventing new means of water conservation, water distribution, and consumption.

Journal 40

Utah Valley University does this wonderful competition each year where they have high-school students write essays on major topics relating to Sustainable Development and the Yearly programs set forth by the United Nations. The 2014 competition next year will in fact be on, what the United Nations is calling, the year of family farming. I think that I might dip my toes into the subject as well. This will of course be in relation to the aforementioned sustainable development and green energy topic of my final paper.

As we know, there is a water cycle. This cycle circulates water in an endless cycle that permits the growth of plants, the (re) distribution of water, and the storage of fresh water in mountain water sheds and glaciers. But because of global warming and climate change this cycle ends up being disrupted or, in some cases, halted altogether. Examples of these would be the low snow ranges of the winter 2012. This caused little water to trickle down the mountains into fresh water rivers that then flow into such areas as Lake Powell. First, the flow from these water sheds into rivers. By not having enough water to filter into these rivers they, the rivers, subsequently dry up. Second, because of the lack of water flow reaching rivers, the rivers are no longer capable of feeding into lakes. Third, this and many years of similar circumstances end up dropping the waters levels of lakes. In the case of Lake Powell, 50% its proper water levels. This in turn leads to other issues, and not just the potential damage to boats. Forth, because of the lowing of water levels, aquatic ecosystems are effected, some fish leave the area, thus affecting more of the ecosystem. Five, water is no longer able to effectively flow out of the lakes and into out-bound rivers, causing issues for these rivers and their eco systems. Also, these out-bound water flows are leading into draining systems that feed into reservoirs and irrigation ditches for local farms. Lack of water leads to poor irrigation, lessening a farms produce. Leading to rising prices and causing changes to local and regional and national economy.

So how does one deal with this issue? One could blame it on the water, then lead from the water to climate change, to the cause of climate change and repeat the cycle. But we know that something needs to be done. That is what I am looking into and hoping we can find capable means of altering this downward course into improper water use practices.