There are two main factors that affect our ability to sustain oceanic fish populations: a) the health of the population, thus the rate at which they can renew themselves and b) the method of catching fish, which can be destructive to the sea floor (when bottom trawling), or indiscriminate to different species (when pair trawling). Greenpeace have actively campaigned to protect dolphins from this unduly slaughter. Furthermore the lack of widespread and well known labelling on seafood produce means the consumer is left largely clueless on which products are green and which are not.

A marine equivalent of the well established sustainable timber campaigner FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) is called the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). The MSC has a set of standards relating to the environmental impact of fisheries and the ‘chain of custody’ or traceability of MSC marked products. However this five year third-party certificate is not endorsed by Greenpeace, who, together with many other campaign groups are working to bring up the standards set by MSC to ensure the attainment of truly sustainable levels.

Conflicting messages are coming from the Food Standards Agency (FSA) who recommend that ‘everyone should eat at least two portions of fish a week, including one portion of oily fish’ which, extended to the total world population, is not sustainable. As a conscious consumer you can find lists of “endangered” fish on the internet. The fish to stay away from in the supermarkets include atlantic cod, tuna and haddock. Fortunately there is a natural remedy that will help you meet the FSA recommendations. Walnuts have the same oils and nutrients as fish and their harvesting is not as hard hitting on the environment.

Don't know how your fish was caught? Sustainable fishing is the only way to ensure that our fish supply will survive. Maine Avenue Fish Market © by Mr. T in DC

One catchy alternative is local aquaponic enterprises, where fish is sustainably farmed on land, for a local area also enabling allowing for a “fresh” daily catch, far superior in taste and in footprint measurements than that of a fish towed in from the other side of the world.

Though lets not forget that sustainable fishing means we can continue to enjoy responsibly sourced seafood. For those that want all their purchases to be equaly green fishonline.org offers a comprehensive buyer’s guide. You can search by fish name for details of where and how the fish is caught and a sustainability rating from a happy 1, to a worrying 5. You can also check out the lists which give the green lights for the fish to eat and red lights for those to avoid. In commerce Marks and Spencer’s are to be noted for their leading role in the market. With 10 years of sustainable fishing behind them they are the UK’s first organization to sign the WWF Sustainable Seafood Charter. The agreement is all encompassing including clauses for the procurement of 100% sustainable product, through to policy and even keeping the customers informed.

The key message is to be aware and active in seeking out the information that will let you know whether the particular fish species is being exploited or not. When you have a particular recipe in mind a compromise can be reached with other fish (which are suggested by the fishonline guide) or another dish, for example using walnuts.

There are responsible companies out there, and awareness is growing. We as consumers or entrepreneurs we just need to develop a widely accepted hallmark or local sustainable fish farm to raise public awareness and promote sustainable business models for fisheries and retailers of fish.

For instance, green fuels often refer to the first generation biofuels derived from crop plants. Specifically from a variety of crops that either can be broken down into sugar (starches), or oil. Sugar generating plants are fermented into ethanol. Oil producers are used as biodiesel.

One reason people don’t like biodiesels from these sources is that it takes up valuable land mass for the production of fuel and not food. Also, the intensive commercial farming techniques are extremely detrimental on the environment for the long term. Air pollutants are a byproduct of the processing techniques as well as when the fuel is actually burned. Additionally, GMO crop plants are used. Other ways to generate green fuels are desirable for this reason.

Algae is a promising green fuel © by giant mice kill rabbits

In result, initiatives to create better, second generation biofuels are underway. Algae fuels, are easy to grow indoors with quick process times are looking more attractive than crop fuels like corn. In fact, algae fuels may generate more than 200 times the amount of fuel than corn can. Although promising, expect many more years of filling up your tank with gas, rather than algae based fuel.

Although the change from “clunky” biofuels to sleeker forms are developing, as a citizen it is important to recognize self-responsibility and not rely on future technologies to save us from ourselves. Reducing energy usage is the best way to help the environment and this can be accomplished through a variety of ways that do not have to inconvenience societies. In fact, gains can be made from a society focusing on local economic development and natural resource management. Taking a Permaculture course is a great way to expand your own possibilities when it comes to living well on less fossil fuels.

In this microclimate, one side of the slope is oriented to get more sun with limited ability to absorb moisture. The other side recieves less sun throughout the day, retains more moisture and creates the conditions to grow more vegetation.

A microclimate, as the name implies, is a unique and “micro” climate found within a broader area with different climate conditions. A microclimate can be created naturally or purposefully through landscaping and building placement. One example of a microclimate is a small grove of planted trees. The trees retain more moisture and shade than the rest of the area, keeping it damp and moist for other species to grow. Microclimates can vary in size, but is always relatively small and significantly different in comparison to the greater climate of the area.

Microclimates create more opportunities within a landscape. Gardeners, builders, architects and people who practice Permaculture within their lives are familiar with microclimates and their potential benefits. Home gardeners, with the help of a microclimate, are able to grow varieties of plants and food that are supposedly not able to grow in the region. The difference, of course, is that the climate is different enough to sustain a new ecology. New Zealand kiwis thrives in Brooklyn, offering delicious fruit as a testament to the extraordinary outcomes that may occur in microclimates.

With a little know how, anyone can create a beneficial microclimate to fulfill their own needs, or the needs of a habitat around them. Native Americans and other indigenous groups throughout the world have an extremely high level of land literacy, meaning they understand the patterns of the geography around them and are able to cultivate crops and make habitats that, with some work, becomes its own thriving ecosystem. Before Europeans arrived Indians around the Fingerlakes, New York, and terraced the land and planted peach trees, thus creating a thriving and unique habitat that flourished naturally with food. No water was pumped, no fertilizers used to grow crops. The Indians instead environmentally engineered a location by creating a microclimate specific to the production of peaches.

This type of knowledge and  know-how is vastly different compared to the industrial farming mindset where plants are mono-cropped, creating no supporting microclimate at all and simply relying on synthetic fertilizers to boost yields within a region that naturally is unsupportive of the land.

Microclimates are created by a variety of geographical and plant elements. The shape of the landscape, its orientation to the sun, the height of slopes, the wind patterns, bodies of water, the way the rain falls and runs-off are just some factors that can help form a microclimate. A city or urban environment with a lot of concrete could also be considered a microclimate because the pavement absorbs and reflects heat keeping the area much warmer than the neighboring countryside.

Identifying microclimates and building them intentionally is a skill set that can be learned. It’s a matter of observation. One of the best ways for an individual to learn about microclimates with no formal training in geography or landscape architecture is to take a Permaculture course, which  not only covers the topic of microclimates and their benefits, but teaches people how to think about the environment around them, and how to arrange their lives in a way that increases their well-being while having a lower impact on the environment.

Italy - Mineral Water Bottles © by SoloXis

Mineral waters, like the name suggests is a potable water that has a high mineral that has either added or is naturally occurring. The specific classification of “mineral water” is water having 250 or more ppm (parts per million) of mineral content. The specific mineral deposits will range, some of the common compounds are zinc, magnesium, iron and calcium. Not all mineral waters are suitable for human use.

While mineral waters can be man-made through mineral additives, true mineral waters have occurred naturally overtime, soaking up mineral content from the surrounding rocks and ground it comes in contact with. Through natural processes a mineral water can even be lightly carbonated. Bottled mineral waters are available in regular form, or sparkling. Not all mineral waters are created equal. Some may be great for soaking, but not drinking.

In both modern and ancient times, mineral waters have been associated with health and healing. The Romans particularly prided themselves on their central bathes, many which were filled with hot mineral spring water. Italy and other areas of Roman rule, still boasts many mineral springs that attract visitors every year.  And while a good soak in mineral rich waters can soothe the body, ingesting a good drinking mineral water directly can give the body a dose of minerals that processed food and tap water cannot deliver. However in the United States, mineral water cannot be marketed or advertised as having “healing” properties, likely due to quackery associated with false promises.

Although there are some trace minerals found in tap water and in varying levels depending on location, heavily treated tap waters have never been classified as “mineral waters.” The closest form of mineral water provided by a municipal source is in Zurich, Switzerland, whose citizens have free and regular access to a refreshing glass of mineral water every day.

Water tower, Rableyheath © by anemoneprojectors

Those large, round tanks elevated in the sky are water towers. What is a water tower and what are they used for? A water tower is a holding tank, usually for a municipality or even a farm that is used to maintain water pressure. Through the help of gravity, water puts pressure in the pipes allowing a continuous stream of water even in times of power outages. In fact before the days of electricity, water towers were used. Today they are regarded more as a backup system- and the amount in the tank is typically equivalent to a day’s use of water.

The higher the water tank is off the ground, the more pressure it exerts. While most town’s have their own water tank, commercial buildings, like skyscrapers can have their own functioning water tank to provide a smooth flow of water to the building occupants. Tall buildings without their own water tank can experience poor water pressure from a municipal source in times when water in heavy demand. If you have ever been taking a shower in the top floor of an old New York building, you’ll know how inconvenient this can be.

Pressurizing municipal tap water with a water tower has more benefits than just achieving a steady flow of water for citizens. In fact water towers can help lower the risk of pollution in a city’s water supply and act as a passive backup system that will reduce electricity demands, and thereby save money for the local government.

A water tower that maintains a pressurized water system is inadvertently warding off negative pressure scenarios. When pipes are not pressurized they are open to more problems. Negative pressure can cause the pipes to break and attract the groundwater (naturally occurring water found beneath the ground)  into the water system. If groundwater is contaminated by industrial or farming pollutants, the entire city’s water system is compromised and unsafe to drink. Having a water tower around is especially important during emergencies and natural disasters, when power is out, the water system still remains passively pressurized by the gravitational pull of the water tank.

In addition to aiding in water safety for citizens and the surrounding habitat, water towers are an economical backup system. In scenarios of peak water times (usually in the summer when people are out watering their lawns) the main water pump is over-taxed. Instead of using another electrical water pump, the water tower will take over and begin supplying more water without using electricity- thus saving money and resources. During the evening when people are sleeping and not using water, the pump will refill the water tower to be used again.

Hard water deposits on shower head. hard water © by _gee_

People who get their water from a well, likely know about hard water. What is hard water? Essentially a water is described as “hard” when it has a lot of minerals. “Soft” water is water that has a low levels of dissolved minerals. Although hard water is potable (or safe to drink) prolonged consumption may be a lot for your body to handle. Hard water instead tends to wreak havoc on the home, leaving deposits on appliances like dishwashers, facets, steam irons, toilet bowls, water heaters, showers and bathtubs.

Hard water minerals vary depending on location. Calcium, iron, magnesium even sulphur are just some examples and each poses their own particular problems, for instance, sulphur smells, and iron stains. Due to the effects of hard water, people must maintain their home appliances with more care to keep them functioning. Smaller pipes over time may calcify and the hot water heater will likely have a shorter lifespan.

There are other home scale issues caused by hard water, particularly when it comes to bathing and cleaning dishes. The minerals in the water make it hard to achieve that “squeaky clean” feeling. Soap, in fact doesn’t work as effectively with hard water and the spiraling down effect is that people will use even more soap to over-compensate.  Instead feel a thin residue of film is left over. Hair in particular keeps this residue and mineral build-up, often making it unnaturally frizzy and dirty looking. An apple-cider vinegar rinse can help eliminate some of the minerals.

What are some of the ways to deal with hard water? An expensive yet efficient option is installing a house-wide water filtration system or a water softener. Some detergents and soaps are made specifically for washing clothes in hard water.

While people living with hard water for their home needs, can still seek other sources of water for drinking purposes. Harvesting rainwater for drinking is an option, along with purchasing distilled water from a local distiller and adding a few drops of the hard water for just the right balance.

Distilled water is sold in plastics, but by purchasing distilled water from a local distiller the containers may be reused.Drinking water supply © by Jose Jaf

Water, even in its natural form contains trace elements, like minerals. Tap water too contains chemicals and potentially dangerous impurities depending on the municipality. One type of purified water without such impurities is distilled water. What is distilled water and how does the process occur?

Distilled water completely lacks anything other than the simple H2O molecules. This type of water is not natural but a man-made result of distillation. Distilling is works by boiling water and capturing the steam that results. The steam, in its lightweight transformed state is free of the impurities which are still weighted down in their solid form. The steam eventually changes its state back into a liquid in a separate tank leaving the bacteria, salts, minerals and synthetic chemicals behind. For this reason distilled water has the least taste compared to other potable waters.

Aside from drinking it, distilled water is often used in research arenas when pure water with a pH of 7 is a must. Mineral and impurities in tap water can build up over time, possibly damaging industrial or home-use equipment with deposits.

Although distilled water is pure, it does not make it necessarily healthy to be consumed on a long term basis. Because it lacks minerals, distilled water can help detox the body by flushing out the extra minerals and toxins- but it can also de-mineralize the body, by flushing rid of too many minerals. This is a controversial claim however, because the minerals in food could exceed what is lost. If concerned, adding a squeeze of lemon can help replenish the water.

A person can set up their own distillery in their garage to provide for their own needs and sell to others. Of course, buying distilled water at a grocery store is also an option, but the gallon jugs cannot be refilled up like a local distiller can do.

Hydroelectricity created from a dam. Central Hidroeléctrica El Nihuil © by lucasgburgos

All the energy that most people enjoy so freely is derived at some point from natural resources. Water specifically is one resource that is used to generate electricity. There are two established ways to make hydroelectricity; via a water powered turbine (what the water wheel was to kinetic energy the turbine is to electricity) and wave power and the changing of the tides. These are sustainable energy production methods because the water’s power and not the water itself is used. This is also why hydroelectric dams are considered sustainable, although the man-made dams cause environmental damage to the location- and there is also the possibility of that these massive structures will fail and devastate the communities or habitats that lie beneath. Although, not without impact, hydroelectric power presents a relatively low impact when compared to blowing up mountains for mere, expendable coal and other such short-term energy gain.

Niagara Falls in New York was one of the first places to harness water for energy for success. Nicola Tesla, the brilliant inventor and scientist generated electricity on a mass scale by using the falls great strength to spin turbines. The turbines created electricity through their movement around a wire which could then be stored and moved for use elsewhere. Giant dams work in a similar way. Tunnels beneath the dam are made and filled with turbines which the water can flow through, creating electricity with the movement. The amount of electricity produced is completely determined by operators.

Then there is the electricity created by the moon- specifically the waves generated by the moon’s gravitational pull. Again, turbines are spun by waves creating wave power. Not all the ocean is ideal for setting up water turbines, but it is certainly a vast opportunity to be further developed especially in the pursuit of sustainable energy production methods. There also is reason to believe that some water turbines and tidal power plants may be destructive to ocean life.

In comparison to burning fossil fuels, a limited resource, using water’s power to make hydroelectricity is a far better alternative. Individuals too can harness water for energy. A stream or river can produce smaller amounts of energy for household use.

Green Roof at Walter Reed CC © by Arlington County

Green roofs are also known as living roofs – these two names may give you an idea of what they involve. In essence green roofs are gardens grown on a roof that can take a diversity of forms and functions. The benefits of green roofs are many; they can help insulate a building leading to a lower electricity bill, uptake carbon, harness rainwater, provide a habitat for insects and birds (especially valuable in a city) and grow food for the building occupants or local community. Vegetation is planted on top of waterproof membrane on the roof of a usually commercial building. There are many reasons for having a green roof and some requirements too.

Compared to traditional roof tiles plants, their roots systems and soil weigh considerably more. For this reason the building needs to be able to structurally support the roof and sometimes retrofitting older structures will not work. Not just because of the weight but because of the need of a drainage system which is an extra layer underneath the vegetation and growing medium.

If the weight of soil garden simply will not work, a different type of green roof is needed- such as a lightweight hydroponic or aeroponic method of growing plants or sedum or succulent plants that requires little soil and little water.

Having a dash of vibrant green brings air and visual qualities that are hard to come by in grey concrete and blue glass jungle environments of modern urban areas. But there are many more advantages than meet the eye: weather buffering, insulation during colder days, water protection in the rain and even temperature control throughout the year. The later point is particularly helpful in combating the phenomenon know as urban heat islands (UHI). UHIs are metropolitan areas which are significantly warmer than rural surroundings, primarily because of urban developments that use heat retaining materials such as concrete and asphalt.

A vegetated roof is better than a mere waterproofed roof because it absorbs water so in heavy downfalls there is reduced runoff. Plants use water in photosynthesis, The green pigments in plants (chlorophyll) also uses carbon dioxide taken from the atmosphere to complete the photosynthesis process.

Green roofs can be seen in many countries around the world, from Scandinavia where sod/turf roofs have been around for centuries, to the UK, Europe, Egypt, USA and Australia.

Modern green roofs are of three main types, intensive, semi-intensive or extensive, the primary difference being in the depth of growth, but hence also in the costs and visual aspects. The upfront investment required for a green roof is one for the future and well worth the benefits which extend to visual and social impact.

Unfortunately regulations and guidelines on building a green roof are currently sparse. Much of today’s green roofs have been developed by an individual’s initiative, an environmentalist, a landscape architect or designer. The activist group in New York, Sustainable South Bronx has also installed green roofs to suit their needs. The oldest regulations were published in Germany in the 1990s, “Guidelines for the planning, execution and upkeep of Green Roof sites” from the Research society in Germany. EU funded research has provided more recent code of best practice developed in England with the support of the Environment Agency. Even so it’s important to note that guidelines and codes of best practice for green roofs are often specific to certain climate regions. Ultimately, thinking through the needs and limitations to a specific roof will yield the best result. Like gardens, no two green roofs need be the same.

There are ongoing research programmes in the area of green roofs allowing plenty of opportunities for academics with green inclinations. Careers in the green roofing business are also on the increase and hopefully will continue especially as the built environment is  Many commercial buildings are topped with green scenes, examples include Canary Wharf in London, Ford’s Motor Company in Michigan, Ballard library in Seattle. There is no glass ceiling to success in the green or sustainability world, but perhaps there’s a green roof?

Rain water and spring water is naturally purified, but when people say "purified water" it generally refers to a human led process of taking water contaminated by human activity and transforming it to a more desirable or safe state. water drops © by fox_kiyo

These days there are so many different waters; tap, spring, mineral, distilled, even greywater. What, then is purified water? In general terms, purified water means the water has gone through a process to make it potable, or safe to drink. It is an over-arching category that indicates there was a human hand in making unfit water, more purified and better or safer to drink. There are several ways to achieve purified water via means of removing chemicals and bacteria. In Western societies where water is plentiful, purified water usually means water that has been filtered to remove chemicals. In other parts of the world, purified water is a term that relates to a more basic state- water that has been boiled and removed of dangerous pathogens. Chemicals and other debris still may be present.

Water filters are sold widely in the U.S., in fact it is big business making tap water taste better. In reality, tap water is supposedly “purified” by US government standards, however recent independent research has suggested there are many synthetic chemical compounds found within tap water across the country that are unfit for regular human consumption. This does not make tap water immediately dangerous, but what about the long term impacts? There is legitimate concern about the fact that humans are drinking water with unnatural elements- what does this mean to our health? Non-organic food, full of pesticides also falls into this category, whereas such synthetics don’t kill us, but they are not supporting humans’ ideal health.

Aside from a table top filter, distilling water is another means to achieve purified water. Distillation is a process of boiling water and collecting the steam. The steam eventually returns to a liquid state and the result is water- purified of many chemicals and impurities simply because those elements could not turn into steam. Other methods of purifiying water are reverse osmosis, deionizing, and of course boiling.

Man-made methods of purified water have its setbacks however. The trace minerals found naturally in water will be filtered out. For health purposes it is encouraged to not to solely drink distilled water, but instead consume other forms of water with minerals intact. Purified water, depending on the form, tends to limit valuable minerals that are even found in the tap, such as calcium and fluoride- an additive. (The benefits of fluoride in water are subject for debate).

What is true is that when given a choice between the unknown state of water, such as in an emergency situation where tap water may have been contaminated by a broken sewer pipe- purified water is the safer choice.