- Mitigating Flooding and Erosion.
"Though it may seem ironic, rainwater in the arid West is often diverted away from water-scarce lands and routed to storm drains at considerable cost. However, in Brad Lancaster's approach, he embraces rainwater and creatively integrates it into the landscape. He effectively utilizes it to grow and enrich various resources, while mitigating flooding and erosion, thus enhancing the urban environment. In this new edition of "Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands and Beyond," he invites us to engage in the transformative practice of harvesting rainwater, along with the benefits derived from sun, wind, carbon, and more."
Ann Audrey, Environmental Consultant, on integrating rainwater harvesting, habitat restoration, and edible trees.
"This wonderful book is filled with effective strategies to cyclically manage and enhance local water supplies while maximizing solar energy. It offers essential guidance and innovative ideas to meet our resource needs, elevate household and community potential, and safeguard the ecosystems on which we all rely."
Sandra Postel, Founding Director, Global Water Policy Project; Freshwater Fellow of the National Geographic Society; Author of "Lost Oasis."
"Brad Lancaster has released a revised third edition of his authoritative book, 'Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands and Beyond: Volume 1, Guiding Principles to Welcome Rain into Your Life and Landscape.' With decades of experience harvesting rain in Tucson, Arizona, Lancaster became motivated to enhance poor water management after meeting water farmer Zephaniah Phiri Maseko. Maseko’s wisdom, derived from long observation of the land and how rain flows and shapes it, forms the foundation of Lancaster's rainwater harvesting methods.
Tucson has the potential to harness more rainfall than its residents currently consume. Yet, deforestation and the proliferation of impermeable urban surfaces have resulted in alarming water scarcity. This pressing issue is powerfully addressed in Lancaster's TED talk and elaborated upon in his book, which skillfully adapts Maseko's principles of water infiltration to meet the specific needs of Tucson. One innovative solution involves creating mulch-filled depressions in gardens to maximize rainwater absorption, paired with the strategic redirection of household greywater. Moreover, Lancaster extends these transformative practices into public spaces, channeling rainwater from streets to nourish fruit-bearing trees in community areas. By embracing these sustainable methods, Tucson could significantly improve its water management and enhance its urban environment.
The five chapters of "Rainwater Harvesting" guide readers through the principles of rainwater infiltration, using Lancaster's own projects as case studies. Additionally, the book's appendices, now further enhanced in this new color edition, provide valuable resources. These appendices cover topics such as patterns of water and sediment flow, traditional Southwestern rainwater harvesting techniques, a list of plants and their water requirements, and insights on the water-energy-carbon nexus. They demonstrate how domestic rainwater harvesting can save energy and reduce CO2 emissions.
In summary, any household or community dedicated to sustainable living by conserving and recycling water should read this book."
International Rainwater Harvesting Alliance (IRHA).
This book and the ideas it presents should be incorporated into 21the foundational education of civil engineers, architects, landscape architects, and planners everywhere."
Despite Tucson receiving abundant rainfall, poor management practices have led to water scarcity, a challenge Lancaster addresses directly. He adapts Maseko's principles, using mulch-filled depressions to capture rainwater and redirecting greywater while also applying these strategies to public spaces.
The book guides readers through essential rainwater harvesting principles, showcasing Lancaster’s projects and providing valuable appendices on water flow patterns, traditional techniques, and the water-energy-carbon nexus.
Any household or community focused on sustainability and water conservation should engage with this book."
- Agricultural Solutions.
The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) assists landowners, tribes, and partners in enrolling wetlands, grasslands, and farmlands into conservation easements.
- Environmental Compliance.
ECF.com highlights the importance of soil conservation and sustainable infrastructure. ECF provides essential guidelines for addressing environmental pollution and for integrating sustainability into thorough infrastructure planning and execution.
Wildlife corridors are important pathways that connect fragmented habitats, allowing animals to move safely across different landscapes. These corridors are essential for maintaining biodiversity, ensuring genetic diversity, and enabling species to adapt to changing environments. By facilitating safe movement, wildlife corridors help prevent the negative effects of habitat fragmentation, such as inbreeding and resource scarcity.
The planned increase in coal production will likely enhance China’s status as the world’s largest source of greenhouse gas emissions. Currently, the country emits around 15 billion tonnes of carbon each year, accounting for nearly a quarter of the global total.
This coal-burning country killing the case for net zero.
- Combat Desertification.
Trees are being cleared at a rate that is nothing short of ecological vandalism, and the resultant effects of this are deforestation and desertification.
China's Solar Great Wall aims to power millions of homes, combat desertification
- Ozone Pollution
Ozone pollution, typically associated with warm weather and strong sunlight, has begun to manifest alarmingly in winter. This surprising phenomenon has surfaced in several regions, most notably Lanzhou, a petrochemical hub in northwestern China. High levels of ozone pollution during cold months challenge established understandings of air quality dynamics and pose new threats to public health and the environment.
- $41 Billion in Climate Funds Just Gone? The World Bank’s Alarming ‘Oversight’
10 ways you can help fight the climate crisis
In a bold move to combat climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emireduce greenhouse gas emissionsssions, ten progressive U.S. states have announced plans to ban the sale of new gas-powered vehicles within the next five years. This initiative marks a significant shift in transportation policy, aiming to accelerate the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) and promote sustainable energy practices. The states leading this charge include California, New York, Massachusetts, Oregon, Washington, New Jersey, Connecticut, Colorado, Vermont, and Hawaii.
- Noise pollution
Noise Pollution can cause health problems for people and wildlife, both on land and in the sea. From traffic noise to rock concerts, loud or inescapable sounds can cause hearing loss, stress, and high blood pressure. Noise from ships and human activities in the ocean is harmful to whales and dolphins that depend on echolocation to survive.
- Desert Mighty Mite
Biocrust offers significant benefits to both people and nature by stabilizing soils. It acts like a "glue" that helps secure desert soil in place, preventing it from being blown away. In this way, biocrust serves as a natural safeguard against dust storms, which can pose risks to human health and wildlife.
Although they may not be the most striking aspect of the desert, biocrusts—comprising intricate microscopic communities—play a vital and powerful role in arid environments;
- Just as coral reefs are essential to tropical marine ecosystems, biocrusts serve as crucial ecosystem engineers in Earth's drylands.
- Biocrust takes in carbon and nitrogen, playing a valuable role in the diversity and productiveness of desert soils that sustain plants, wildlife, and agriculture.
- Retaining moisture during the monsoon season (s) is crucial for the entire desert ecosystem.
A small international team of soil and water ecosystem conservation specialists has found that Biocrusts clinging to parts of the Great Wall of China have been serving to protect the famous structure from erosion.
- Fracking Water Treatment Market
The Fracking Water Treatment Market was worth USD 5.7 Billion in 2022 and is estimated to be worth USD 7.4 Billion in 2032, increasing at a CAGR of 6.2% during the forecast period.
- The growth in energy demand and the increasing environmental concerns associated with fracking are the primary drivers of revenue growth in the market.
- The rapid expansion of hydraulic fracturing activities in the oil and gas industry has led to a rising demand for wastewater treatment and disposal.
- Fracking operations utilize significant amounts of water and generate wastewater containing high concentrations of contaminants such as radioactive elements, salts, heavy metals, and organic compounds.
- This has led to an increased need for advanced wastewater treatment technologies and solutions, driving the fracking water treatment market.
Tribal elder Warren Jones stands at the frontlines of climate change erosion, which is caused by melting permafrost and the loss of sea ice that once served as a protective barrier. This erosion poses a significant threat to the homes in the Yupik Eskimo village of Quinhagak, located on the Yukon Delta in Alaska. (Mark Ralston/AFP via Getty Images)
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