Posted 05/01/08 by Ryan Morris
In a previous blog post I mentioned that Americans toss almost 38 billion water bottles in the trash every year. To combat this environmental waste, Brita (you know, the folks who make those cool water filtration products for your home) and Nalgene (check any college student's backpack for one of their fashionable water bottles) teamed up to create the FilterForGood campaign.
The success of the campaign is determined by the number of disposable water bottles saved from ending up in your local dump. The environmentally conscious endeavor requires participants to pledge to reduce bottled water waste by using a reusable water bottle (Nalgene, encouraged) or filtered water (this is where Brita's pitchers and faucet mount filters come in.)
I was very excited when I learned about the pledge, so naturally I signed it online and began taking steps to become an active participant. The FilterForGood folks were stoked too and sent us some reusable water bottles for the staff to use along with a few faucet-mount filtration systems to give away.
Get Free Stuff, Save the Planet
Leave a comment at the bottom of this entry describing ways you plan to get the word out about reducing disposable water bottle use. The top three comments will receive a Brita faucet-mount filtration system. Oh, if you're wondering who will be judging the comments, look no further than Razoo's celebrity panel of super heros and rock stars, of course. ;-)
To track the success of the campaign you can view how many water bottles have been saved by using an interactive map on the campaign Web site.
Links of Interest
Posted 04/22/08 by Ryan Morris
It is estimated that Americans toss almost 38 billion water bottles in the trash every year. To combat this environental waste, Brita and Nalgene teamed up to create the FilterForGood campaign.
Gauging it's success by the number of disposable water bottles saved from ending up in a landfill, the program requires participants to pledge to reduce bottled water waste by using a reusable water bottle (Nalgene, encouraged) or filtered water (this is where Brita's pitchers and faucet mount filters come in.)
I'm so excited about this campaign I signed the pledge and am in the process of making sure everyone in the office has a reusable water bottle. You can get involved by taking the pledge and joining the cause on Razoo today.
To see how many water bottles have been saved, you can view a really cool interactive map on the campaign Web site. So go on, take the pledge, help the planet and enjoy a greener, healthier earth.
Happy Earth Day!
Posted 03/26/08 by Jenn Fraher
We're coming to the end of March, when we've been focusing on different water issues across the course of the month. There are many more aspects of the water problem that we could examine, from water management and its impact on the environment (such as in the Grand Canyon) to water shortages and droughts in cities around the world and controversial techniques to recover water from the ocean. A question that rises above all of these individual aspects of the problem though, is whether an individual can make a difference.
When faced with a problem like the a shortage of usable water and the numerous nuances of the problem, I'm easily overwhelmed. We're taught in school (and in turn teach the kids around us) to shut off the water when we're brushing out teeth, and we avoid watering our grass, at least during the day. Still, do these small actions really have an impact?
As I think about this question, I'm inspired by a book that I recently read that recounts the life of John Snow. While his name isn't widely known, his actions in relation to waterborne diseases have had a significant impact on thousands of lives.
John Snow was a physician who lived in London during the early and mid 1800s. At that time, cholera was a disease that frequently devastated India, Russia, and many countries in Europe, including the U.K. London in particular was affected by outbreaks of the disease. Many physicians blamed the outbreaks of the disease on "miasmas" or poisonous gases caused by rotting organic matter. Snow, however, believed that the disease was caused by microscopic organisms (although he couldn't identify them). As the outbreaks continued in London, Snow began a methodical study of the city's different water supplies to confirm his hypothesis that people were being made sick because of water that had been contaminated by waste. By mapping the path of the disease and correlating that map to each house's water source, Snow was able to prove a correlation between the sickness and a contaminated water source.
So, what does this example have to do with us today? John Snow is an example for us today for a few reasons. First, he was persistent in the face of significant opposition that the popular assumptions about miasmas were incorrect. This persistence lasted over many years and likely cost him significantly in terms of his reputation and professional opportunities. He didn't stop at objecting to what he felt was wrong, but was persistent in exploring ways to prove or disprove his hypothesis, even though he couldn't actually see the micro-organisms that were causing cholera. His methodical approach to the problem gave rise to a new discipline--epidemiology--which has since helped to understand and address the causes of other diseases.
John Snow is person who took action to help address one problem he saw in the world around him. What about you? What are you doing to help address the water issues we're facing today?
Posted 03/11/08 by Jenn Fraher
In a timely article, the Associated Press this weekend published the results of a study that looked for the presence of pharmaceuticals in the U.S. drinking supply. The results, while not a surprise to many experts in the field, have resulted in a flurry of articles and discussions raising questions about the safety of our water supply.
The A.P. monitored the drinking supplies of major U.S. cities and smaller communities in all 50 states across a period of five months. The results revealed small traces of drugs in the drinking supply of 41 million Americans. While the traces were very small (parts per billion or trillion), questions are now being raised about the health impact of long-term exposure to these pharmaceuticals.
The A.P. isn't the only group to raise questions recently about the safety of the U.S. water supply. Dr. Robert D. Morris, an environmental epidemiologist and researcher in the field of drinking water, recently published a book called The Blue Death: Disease, Disaster, and the Water We Drink that explores the story of drinking water, from England during the cholera outbreaks through the early construction of U.S. cities and to the modern day, both in the U.S. and overseas. In the book, Morris argues that the current infrastucture meant to deliver clean, safe water is inadequate, both in the U.S. and internationally. Pointing to outbreaks of waterborne diseases in Minnesota, Canada, and Africa, Morris contends that it is time to reexamine our current thinking about safe water and take proactive steps to ensure future access to clean, safe water worldwide.
While a lot of attention has been given to the presence of bacteria or pharmaceuticals in our water supply in recent months, controversy still exists about the long-term effect of this trend. Is the U.S. at risk for an epidemic caused by a water-borne pathogen or by side-effects caused by long-term exposure to low doses of drugs? How quickly should the government and private industry respond to studies like the recently published A.P investigation and books like Dr. Morris'? How concerned are you about the water you drink, based on these recent reports?
Posted 03/06/08 by Jenn Fraher
For many of us, we never think about this question. For over a billion people around the world, though, this is a question that faces them every day. According to PlayPumps International, 1.1 billion people-18% of the world's population-lacks access to safe drinking water. As a result, over 5,000 people die each day from waterborne illness.
This month, we observe World Water Day on March 22, 2008. In particular, we want to spend some time looking at the history of the water crisis, the current state of water availability, and practical solutions to make clean, safe water available to everyone. Join us this month as we explore this issue in more detail. Tell us how you are observing World Water Day, how you think individuals can make a difference to promote the availability of clean water, and your favorite organizations who work in this area. You can follow the conversation on our blog throughout month.
Posted 03/06/08 by Ryan Morris
For as technologically advanced as several developed countries appear to be throughout the world, something as basic as access to fresh, clean water has become a major topic of discussion. According to Maude Barlow’s most recent book, Blue Covenant:
“The three water crises – dwindling freshwater supplies, inequitable access to water and the corporate control of water – pose the greatest threat of our time to the planet and to our survival. Together with impending climate change from fossil fuel emissions, the water crises impose some life-or-death decisions on us all. Unless we collectively change our behavior, we are heading toward a world of deepening conflict and potential wars over the dwindling supplies of freshwater – between nations, between rich and poor, between the public and the private interest, between rural and urban populations, and between the competing needs of the natural world and industrialized humans.”
Photo: Drinking fresh water in Burma, by David Chamberlain
I never thought of water as a tool to control the mortality rate of a nation. Unfortunately, this is exactly what is happening in the continent of Africa, which is seeing the brunt of the world’s water problems.
During a House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee meeting on Africa last May, Subcommittee Chairman Donald Payne said, “Africa is one of the most water-impoverished regions ... and the lack of clean water claims the lives of 4,900 children every day.”
The U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Walter North, Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator for Africa, recently made the statement that “More than one child in sub-Saharan Africa dies every minute from diarrheal disease -- a direct result of inadequate water supply, sanitation and hygiene.”
Can you imagine walking six hours only to gain access to water? Now imagine having to carry a sloshing 40-pound jug back to your home. That is exactly what occurs in some pastoral parts of Ethiopia. According to an article on the water.org site, “Most people collect water from shallow, unprotected ponds which they share with animals. Other people collect water from shallow wells. Both of these sources are subject to contamination as rain water washes waste from surrounding areas into the source.”
So, are you fed up? Angry? Fired up to do something about our water crisis? Share your feelings and thoughts in the comments section. Also, be sure to check back next week to learn what is being done to combat this epidemic which affects all inhabitants of our world.
Posted 11/12/07 by Rebecca Carpenter
Dolphin conservation in the Greek Islands. Trekking with hill tribes in Thailand. Studying glacier melt in Iceland. Exploring archaeology in Egypt. Coaching children's soccer in Ecuador.
These are just a few of the endless possibilities to do good in our world. And thanks to Razoo's new Good Travels contest, you and a friend could be on your way to this goodness in the very near future.
Razoo has just launched the contest, to encourage us all to be good travelers. What is a good traveler, you ask? Well, it probably means something different for each of us, but it might encompass things like an open mind, curiosity, an eagerness to experience new things and meet new people, a desire to learn and to grow, and a willingness to give back while we're visiting new places.
Here's a quick primer...
How does the contest work?
It's quite simple -- there are four steps to complete on Razoo.com, which takes about 10 minutes. And then you're entered to win -- it's that easy! Get started here.
Are you really going to send me anywhere in the world?
Yup. The grand prize winner and a friend can choose a "good travels" trip from among the thousands of offerings on ResponsibleTravel.com, and Razoo will make it happen. (See our official contest rules for all the details.)
Are there any other prizes involved?
You bet. And they're pretty awesome, too. Five 2nd prize winners will receive the new XO laptop, from the One Laptop Per Child intiative. Today the OLPC team launched their "Give One Get One" campaign, so not only will our five winners get a laptop, but five laptops will also be donated to children in developing nations, in the winners' names.
Ten 3rd prize winners will receive the new Flip Ultra
camcorder. This is the perfect travel companion -- a pocket-sized way to document your journey.
Who else is involved in this contest?
Razoo has teamed up with a great group of partners to offer this contest. Our team includes The National Peace Corps Association, ResponsibleTravel.com, Student Movement for Real Change, and One World.
I'm sold, how do I enter?
Check out our contest information on Razoo.com, and get started right now. Good luck, and good travels!
Posted 10/26/07 by Rebecca Carpenter
It's not just us humans who are out there spreading the good in our world -- sometimes our animal companions get in on the action too.
Check out this series of photos from photographer Norbert Rosing, who captured an unlikely bonding between wild and domestic. Rosing was on location to take photos of a group of sled dogs near Churchill, Manitoba, in northern Canada on the Hudson Bay, when along comes a 1,200 pound polar bear.
The dogs' owner fearfully thinks his pack is about to become dinner. But the dogs don't growl, and instead crouch down and bark and wag their tails as though they want to play.
And the polar bear, surprisingly, is onboard with the idea.
So the two frolic and wrestle playfully for a while...
And an unlikely friendship is born.
The bear ended up coming back several times over the course of the next week to roughhouse with his new friends.
Let's keep 'em around for a while, whatddya say?
Thanks to Colin (No Impact Man) and Tuco (Tuco Rides) for sharing this good stuff with us.
Posted 10/22/07 by Rebecca Carpenter
This past week, those of us in D.C. have enjoyed checking out the innovative houses comprising the Solar Village built on the National Mall. The village is part of the 2007 Solar Decathlon, hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy to encourage and promote research and innovation in the alternate energy source arena. This year's Decathlon highlighted teams from twenty universities around the world, who were challenged with designing, building and operating energy-efficient solar-powered houses.
The student teams behind the houses competed to build homes that were entirely powered by the sun, and were judged on their ability to have a fully-functional home that did all the regular stuff a family needs to do -- run appliances, have lights, control the air temperature, heat water, etc. Like the Olympic decathlon, the Solar Decathlon consisted of ten contests, including architecture, engineering, market viability and energy balance, among others.
The week-long Village festivities culminated in winners being announced this weekend. First place went to Technische Universitat Darmstadt, a team from Germany; second place went to the team from the University of Maryland; and third place went to Santa Clara University. The
German design "pushed the envelope on all levels," Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman said in announcing the winner Friday, calling it "the house people have been lining up all week to watch."
From The Washington Post: Renewable energy sources - mostly wind turbines - account for a little more than 2 percent of electricity production. A very small percentage comes from solar, or photovoltaic, cells such as those used in the houses on the Mall, according the Energy Department.
But in the two years since the last Solar Decathlon, the competing house designs have become more mainstream, according to judges and participants. For the first time a category of "market appeal" was added to the criteria on which teams were judged. While the prototype homes were said to cost $500,000 or more to design, ship and erect, they also contained many features that are commercially available, according to competition organizers.
"In 2005 (the houses) were experiments. This year they're not. ... They're an example of what can be done," said Bob Burt, a building consultant who was one of the judges ranking the homes on market appeal. "There are a couple of houses that when I first walked in I said, 'Yeah, I could live here.'"
One of the title sponsors, BP, has been working hard to position themselves as a leader in alternative-energy research (whether this is true or just the fruits of a very effective PR machine has get to be determined). While it isn't entirely altruistic, they do have a decent amount of resources on their site addressing the topic. One of the most interesting is the Green Curve, which is a quick quiz that enables you to see how you stack up in energy efficiency and conservation. Take the Green Curve quiz here.
Got some innovative alternative-energy ideas of your own? Get 'em together for the next competition -- the 2009 Solar Decathlon.
Posted 10/17/07 by Robin Weekley
I've always been a pet lover...a serious pet-lover, especially when it came down to the classic laborador retriever and other undeniably cute lil' guys. That being said, the pet rat allure always disgusted me. Who could ever, ever find a rat precious, snuggly or good for playing frisbee? In this vain, my rat aversion continued on for 24 years, until...last week.
Last week I was emailed an article about one of the most innovative and exciting social enterprises, well, ever (in my eyes): rats who uncover landmines in Africa. These hero rats are trained to specifically uncover explosive landmines, both metal and plastic, using their sense of smell. The rats are easily trained, too light to set off the landmines and are found almost anywhere and everywhere in the world.
Apopo Vapor Detection Technology first created and tested the concept of hero rats in the mid-90's, in repsonse to the deadly global landmine problem. Techniques at the time were overly expensive and arduous, and so Apopo took to testing and training the rats to detect the smell of explosives and then indicate their presence through scratching the surface and sniffing. In the field, the rats work in on a grid system, with a small harness attached to their backs as they work back and forth, attached to strings overhead. Each time the rat stops to sniff and scratch at the ground, a corresponding point is marked on a grid sheet, indicating the exact location of the landmine. After the rat and facilitators have left the scene, the mines are retrieved and deactivated by explosives experts.
This is a really cool concept, addressing a great need and turning usually burdensome rats into a great source of help. Definitley worth checking out the website for more information on how to get involved.
Want to adopt your very own hero rat? Do it here ... you can even adopt rats named Posh and Becks!
