By Douglas Campbell, DenverPost.com, 10/08/2010

Every day, nearly 1,500 water mains break across the country. Most occur without any noticeable impact. But there's a greater impact than just the inconvenience of going without water for a few hours. These breaks are cause for alarm and pose a significant threat.

Last month, a burst water pipe shut down a plant in Fort Worth, Texas that produces F-16 and F-35 fighter jets. According to the Star-Telegram, the plant uses over 300 million gallons of water per year and the pipes that provide the necessary water for its operations are over 20 years old. Going without water brings the plant to a screeching halt and causes delays and additional expense for our military production.

By Alexander Ač, The Prague Post, September 8, 2010

Several key trends suggest the West will soon reach the limits of economic growth. Chief among these is the declining supply of fossil fuels and the inability of markets to foment alternative energy sources. 

As Western societies are based on continuous economic expansion, reaching these limits is likely to herald alarming consequences touching all aspects of life as we know it. As long as societies perceive economic growth as the most important thing and link this growth exclusively to increased consumption, the resulting disillusionment will be exceedingly painful, with globalization likely making this a pain felt by all.

[WALLY] This seems to have a strong similarity to the model world systems depicted on this site

 

Stealing the heat

Energy: The idea of recycling paper, glass, metal and plastics has become commonplace. New technologies allow heat to be recycled, too

Mar 4th 2010 | From The Economist print edition

By Harry Cline, Farm Press Editorial Staff, Nov 9, 2009

A water bond to finance solutions to California’s water crisis on the ballot would face no better chance of passing than a snowball surviving in Death Valley.

Experts say only 36 percent of Californians would approve a major water bond issue today in a state that is riddled with debt and a projected continuing budget deficit reaching into the billions.

While the fiscal malaise continues to hang over the state like a black cloud, California’s water crisis is really the No. 1 mess facing this state, according to agricultural lobbyist/attorney and Hanford, Calif., dairyman George Soares.

By Murray Wardrop, Telegraph, June 16, 2009

The £4.3 million scheme will see enough methane gas from human waste to provide fuel for heating and cooking for up to 5,000 homes by 2011 Photo: GETTY

The £4.3 million scheme will see enough methane gas extracted from human waste to provide fuel for heating and cooking for up to 5,000 homes by 2011.

By Jeff Kosseff, The Oregonian, June 29, 2008

Water and sewer: A city of Portland truck falls into a sinkhole in Southeast Portland in December 2006 after pipes under the street collapsed. Water and sewer systems nationwide are old and deteriorating. Olivia Bucks, The Oregonian

Growing backlog of repairs to roads, sewers and other basics threatens economy, livability

America is falling apart.

Literally.

What is a Transition Town?

It all starts off when a collection of motivated individuals within a community come together with a shared concern: How can our community respond to the challenges, and opportunities, of Peak Oil and Climate Change, as well as exponential population growth and uncertain economic times?

They begin by forming an initiating group and then adopt the Transition Model with the intention of engaging a significant proportion of the people in their community to kick off a Transition Initiative.

A Transition Initiative is a community working together to look Peak Oil and Climate Change squarely in the eye and address this BIG question:

By Kate Galbraith, The New York Times, May 19, 2009

Green roof in Chicago

Richard M. Daley, the mayor of Chicago, told a panel at the Harvard Club of New York on Monday that he aims to make his city the “most environmentally friendly city in the world.”

Source: The New York Times (A version of this article appeared in print on March 29, 2009, on page AR1 of the New York edition.)

Credits: Nicolai Ouroussoff

Published: March 25, 2009

 

Architectural Design and Modelling

Second Life can be used to create fly-throughs of houses for sale, prototype architectural designs, checking out hotels and other accommodation before you book. Check out the facilities at a university you are thinking of attending (including the dorm rooms if you are thinking of living on campus).