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Water Awareness Week is February 7th-11th!
Hi friends of Take Back the Tap,
DEQ Study Confirmed “Reduce First, then Recycle” Environmental Ethic
"If you choose to drink bottled water, recycling the bottle can have moderate environmental benefits. These benefits, however, are still overshadowed by the negative impacts of making and transporting the bottle in the first place." "In contrast, consuming the same quantity of water from the tap in an average reusable bottle, even if washed frequently in a highly inefficient dishwasher, reduces energy consumption by 85 percent and greenhouse gases by 79 percent (again compared against purchasing bottled water and disposing of each bottle)." This study by the Oregon DEQ came out in 2009, and is still quite relevant.
DEQ Study Confirms “Reduce First, then Recycle” Environmental Ethic Analysis of delivering drinking water shows that tap water is a far better environmental choice than recycling single-use bottles
How the World Changes
It's refreshing to start a new year. There is just so much enthusiasm and passion for new projects and resolutions, especially on a campus, creating forward motion. In honor of this new year, let's take a look at some of the changes our world has seen in the past 10 years.
This wonderful graphic designed by Stephanie Fox at io9.com shows a neat summary of things have changed. My interest being energy, I was immediately impressed that compared to 2000, the US is using more than a quadrillion less BTUs per year. I was expecting to see that number to be higher - by a lot - than 2000. Certainly not almost equal. Does anything else stand out in the graphic to you?
New proposal to ban plastic bags in Oregon wins business, environmental support (The Oregonian)
Published: Wednesday, December 15, 2010, 11:08 AM Updated: Wednesday, December 15, 2010, 4:56 PM
10 Ways EPA has Strengthened America
To mark the 40th anniversary of the creation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Aspen Institute convened environmental thought leaders to develop a report on 10 ways EPA has strengthened America.
"Over its 40-year history, EPA has evolved into the world's preeminent environmental regulatory agency through a balanced, three-pronged strategy, combining excellent science, regulatory enforcement, and engagement of all stakeholders in developing new solutions to environmental problems. EPA's balanced, multifaceted structure and operation sets the standard around the world for applying strong science, as well as economic incentives and disincentives, to achieve positive environmental outcomes while allowing businesses to grow and prosper," said Aspen Institute President and CEO Walter Isaacson at an event unveiling the list. Happy Birthday EPA!
I've copied the 10 ways below because I thought they were so powerful, but please check out the original link (above) and the Aspen Institute's page about the 40th Anniversary.
Oregonians fight dredge fill at Hayden Island (Courthouse News Service)
By SONYA ANGELICA DIEHN
Courthouse News Service
Oregon Sustainability Center to advance sustainability issues (Greenhouse Management & Production)
12/6/2010
Center’s research will focus on building technologies, environmental impact and occupant well-being
Green grid unveils new metrics for data center carbon, water use (GreenBiz.com)
