Water, water everyewhere and not a drop to drink?

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Sustainability 101

"Anyone who can solve the problems of water will be worthy of two Nobel prizes - one for peace and one for science."John F. Kennedy

Humans and the planet are roughly 70% water. Coincidence or some, Divine design?
I'd like to think since we came from the Earth (Yes, I'm an Evolutionists.) That we have a similar makeup. She is our mother after all. We should love and respect her.
So, why are we polluting, wasting and generally taking one of out most vital resources for granted!? Here, in the USA all we have to do is turn on a faucet. Like magic, water comes out and most of the time it's drinkable. Personally, I get my water from a good source and refill my containers. I grew up with sweet, well water. Hmmm, what a great childhood I had. To think I'm only 42 and how bad things have gotten in that short time. I worry about my son and how quickly our natural world is declining. But we have it good when you look at other parts of the world.
For starters, let's look at how much water we use. You'll be surprised.

http://www.waterfootprint.org/?page=files/home

We need to drink so much water a day just to survive. I keep finding different amounts but here in the hot, Tucson desert it seems you can't drink enough. I count my blessings every day that I have clean, safe water to drink. Apparently we're running out of drinkable water on this planet. WTF!? This is affectionately known as the BLUE PLANET. Not Dune or stinky, sludge planet. At least not yet.
There are so many people who don't have clean, drinking water. Something so basic to every living creature. How did we get to this? How do we solve it and make sure we all have access to drinkable water.

http://www.worldwatercouncil.org/index.php?id=5

http://www.cleanwateraction.org/

http://www.nrdc.org/water/pollution/gsteps.asp

So, we can do our part, even if it's just small steps. At least it's a step in the right direction.
Here's another link to a great, general site.

http://www.sharingsustainablesolutions.org/?page=Home&lang=2

"Nothing on earth is so weak and yielding as water, but for breaking down the firm and strong it has no equal."Lao-Tsze

Mourning a hero

Alright, this blog is about sustainability in all things. In memory of George Carlin, 5-12-37 to 6-22-08 I'd like to dedicate this blog to HUMOR!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdYfYugvVL4&feature=related

Not the simple, locker room potty humor that most of us can muster but the kind only a true jester can generate.
The original jester was not just a fool who entertained the king's court. He was in a position to say what no one else was allowed, or had the balls to say. A political satirist with a funny hat. All in the name of a good joke. The body begins to laugh at the supposedly, simple humor but then the brain processes it and suddenly.. *Gasp* There is more to it than a hearty belly laugh. Hmm.. I am made to think and laugh at the same time.
Laughter IS good medicine. They have proven that. There is laughing yoga! It massages the insides and who doesn't feel better after a good laugh?
This world needs more laughter. Not the mean, snickering at some one's misfortune but the genuine, shared, life is funny kind of laughter. So lets have a few laughs and wish George a good journey.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCljFYn3zTY&feature=related
His wit and wisdom will be missed.

Becoming Sustainable 101

This rant brought to you by: www.earthtribetv.org

Before I begin, I'd like to warn anyone who reads this. I am not a vegetarian and make no apologies. I used to be one for several years only to discover my body needs animal protein to function properly. So, to you vegetarians and vegans with an attitude problem.. Bite me.
To those who avoid meat and/or all animal products who aren't without meat eating friends and can take a joke. Welcome.
Now, to the sustainability part. Lets begin with ourselves.
What do we put into ourselves that sustains us? There's food and water. Pretty basic stuff, right? Lets stick to that for now.
What are we eating? Seriously, think about it and be honest.
Confession time! I am feeling rather guilty right now. I have not eaten as well as I should and could today. Oh, God, but I love Flamin Hot Cheetos!
Damn! But it's so damned easy to get a quick, junk food fix. Watch TV and see how many ads there are for food that we don't really need. "Snacks" devoid of any real nutrition. It's more entertainment for your mouth than food. But if I believe the commercials it will make me popular, people will break out in show tunes around me and cartoon characters will try to steal it away from me because it's just so damned delectable and.. addictive?
Ouch, that visual just hurt my brain.
As I said before. I grew up on a farm.
We had a large garden. What we didn't grow, one of our neighbors did. We also raised sheep, pigs, chickens and an occasional cow. Let me tell you, I knew where my food came from!
I knew who grew it, who raised it and sometimes what it was fed all its life.
In the summer I lived on fruit and vegetables that were still warm from the sun. I pulled weeds in warm, moist, living soil that smelled like heaven.
I was a very healthy kids. Store bought cookies, chips and soda were rare, treats.
I am NOT that old!
I am so thrilled that organic foods are becoming an "in" thing. More people should start their own container gardens. Even in the city it's possible to grow something. How about some herbs?
http://www.urbangardeninghelp.com/
I promise to start a small, container garden in my next home. I'll be settled and ready by the fall. It's so hot right now. Even the cactus are wilting.
Oh, to have a full acre or more to work with. I miss growing things in the earth.
I'd like to share this site so maybe more people will get inspired to at least join a co-op if not go all the way and start a family farm.
http://www.youtube.com/user/cookingupastory
And lets not forget the old standby and a personal favorite.
http://www.motherearthnews.com/
If more and more of us find a way to grow our own food or come together with others to grow and share. I think that would be a very good start for many improvements to life. Better food, closer communities, and let's face it. Playing in the dirt is fun.
Well, where I grew up it was. Now I'm in the desert and there are different rules than what I grew up with. Anyone who has a sizable garden here has my respect and admiration. Here is an organization that is going a beautiful job at encouraging and saving heirloom plants which kick ass on the ones created by labs. Nature is far superior to man in the creation process.
http://www.nativeseeds.org/v2/default.php
I encourage anyone who reads this blog to do a little reading and let the Earth Muse guide you.
Just to add a little more incentive and a few laughs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5RrGFBbbSY&feature=related

Battle Cry!

Moral support for the masses.

I remember when I was going through a very terrible time in my life. I felt the world was closing in on me and I was all alone. Alright, I wasn't but I felt like it. Out of the darkness, I received one of the best pieces of advice that I use almost daily and I'll share it with you.
When you are surrounded by problems, pick out the most critical one first and handle it. Forget all the others that seem to hover over your head like a hungry vulture. Focus on one problem at a time.
It's easier to fight one thing at a time. If you look out and see the converging army, you'll shit yourself and not have the courage to knock down even a few. Oh, and don't forget, you're not fighting alone.
Crisis Management 101
Simple, yes? Of course it is! Now let's get started.
I'm going to be putting up links to sites that have great ideas and resources.
Am I going to be the voice of reason in a mad world? Probably not but at least I'm making a possitive effort. I make no claims to striving to be like the Dalai Lama though I do wish I had more love for humanity.
Is it me or is the vast majority of people stupid? Common sense is far from common I'm afraid. Why else do we have so many reality TV shows, bad drivers and.. Pollution!?
I grew up on a farm with lots of animals and one of the many things I was taught was that any animal that shits where it eats is not a good animal. Something is not right with it. Get the BBQ started!
As I write this I'm thinking of the recent news of the flooding in Iowa. My heart goes out to all those who have lost anything.
It used to be beautiful farm country. Now it's an open sewer. Chemical fertilizers, oil, sewage and all kinds of waste is floating in the water. EWWWWWWWWW! Does anyone remember Katrina? Huh?! People were getting sick by touching the water! What happens when you have to swim in it to get to higher ground and it gets in your mouth?
We're shitting where we eat!! BLECH!
We can do better than this. We have these big brains and they have to be good for something more than keeping our skulls from caving in.
So, brothers and sisters, lets lock arms and face this enemy that is our arrogance, apathy and the belief that we are separate from everything else.
Remember, you can't have a REVOLUTION without EVOLUTION!
You're not alone. We are the solution so don't let anyone tell you different. Every little step brings us closer to home.
http://wecansolveit.org/
Great, general site to get started on.
http://hacknmod.com/
For the hackers we all know and love. Build your own electric car among other projects.