The use of space satellite data for ocea n observations allows marine scientists to view biological, chemical, and physical interactions within the oceans on regional and global scales.
Satellite studies have revolutionized our ideas of how the ocean works. Satellite sensors measure a myriad of different phenomena including: sea surface temperature, surface wind, ocean color and productivity, ocean height, tides, and currents. Read more
With all of its life-giving properties, water is not often associated with acts of war. Yet many important interconnections are apparent in modern life. For example, wars are sometimes fought on waterways; those engaged in military operations have many needs for water; war can adversely impact water resources; and increasingly, observers worry that wars might break out due to escalating conflicts over water resources.
Many view the idea of global water wars as not possible, whereas others believe such wars are likely. Historically, water has been more of an indirect source of conflict, rather than a direct source or cause for war. However, for millions of people—from Bosnia to Iraq, and from Chechnya to Somalia—water’s intricate relation with war is an everyday reality. Read more
Warning that a world without water will be very unstable, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called for a three-pronged strategy to ensure that the poorest inhabitants of the developing world have access to clean water and basic sanitation within seven years.
Mr. Ban told participants at “One World One Dream: Sanitation and Water for All,” an event held at United Nations Headquarters in New York, that the world faces an uphill battle to achieve the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) calling for the proportion of people with access to safe drinking water by the target year of 2015. Read more
Dear Friends,
Even as you read this message, Japan continues to grapple with the aftermath of the deadly March 11 tsunami. Japan’s susceptibility to earthquakes have been widely discussed ever since. Less discussed has been its unique resilience-building strategy. Relatively mild tsunamis/ earthquakes hit the island-nation frequently.
With each one, it built upon its intricate disaster risk reduction system comprising of barriers, embankments, dams, early warning systems, satellites, standard building codes and awareness-building. The video Disaster Reduction: Japan’s Global Contribution attempts an outline. There is as much to learn from Japan’s remarkable resilience as its unfortunate plight. Read more
When it comes to our water supplies we are trusting the wrong people and that trust will hurt us in ways we will regret. The waters, the rivers of life are precious to those who value life.(1) To certain others, they are just things to throw trash into, to pollute, and to make money off of at the expense of destroying the environment. Life is just unthinkable without water, for we cannot be separated from water and live. Water is so important that its pollution and poisoning has a direct impact on our health and even on the quality and effect of our minds and feelings.
We are the element water and we have reservoirs, ponds, rivers and seas of fluids within us. The flow of blood, the lymphatic system with its fluid movement, endocrine fluidity, urinary fluidity, the fluidity represented by perspiration, saliva, tears, sexual secretions, and lactation are all influenced by water. Clean water is absolutely essential for healthy living. An Adequate supply of fresh and clean drinking water is a basic need for all human beings on the earth, yet hundreds of millions of people worldwide are deprived of this. When you add the fact that most drinking water from public systems are laced with toxic chemicals then we begin to see that its not hundreds of millions who have a problem with water but billions. Even bottled water has its problems.(2) We thus need to take so much care when it comes to the water we drink. Read more
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