Conservation Blog

Glennon and Zetland on the Radio

admin — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 02:10:35 +0000

Submitted by Aguanomics Blog Here and Now, a program from Phoenix public radio station KJZZ, hosted Dr. Robert Glennon today and also had a short interview piece with David. Audio is here (water discussion starts about 20 minutes into the program), comments to the show here. It was an interesting show, although I wish Dr. Glennon spoke [...]

More Bushels for Less Water with Technology

admin — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 02:09:07 +0000

Submitted by Aguanomics Blog A guest post by Brandon Hunnicutt* It is that time of year again in Nebraska, irrigating time. The time of year that can truly make or break a crop. In a state where there is as much rain variability from the east side to west side of the state, as west coast to [...]

Speed Blogging

admin — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 02:07:32 +0000

Submitted by Aguanomics Blog An interesting article on using algae to treat wastewater and produce outputs of clean water and biofuel. Michael Jackson the environmentalist? I have to hand it to him for his 1996 “Earth Song,” but I am more bothered/perplexed by the NON-release of the song in the US. I guess it’s not part of [...]

Off to Canada, but the Floor is Open for Questions

admin — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 02:19:13 +0000

Submitted by R-Squared Energy Blog I am flying to Alberta in the morning and will be there through the middle of the week, trying to learn more about the renewable energy opportunities there. I doubt I will put up anything new until I return. So I thought this might be a good time to solicit questions [...]

Technical Feasibility is the Easy Part

admin — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 02:16:53 +0000

Submitted by R-Squared Energy Blog A couple of people have now written to ask for comments on the story from Green Car Congress about the Polish CO2 to methanol scheme. Here is the story: Report: Polish Power Plant and University to Cooperate on CO2 to Methanol Trial Here is the bit I immediately focused on: Nazimek says his “artificial [...]

Can Washboards Make a Comeback?

admin — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 02:13:33 +0000

Submitted by PlasticLess.com Blog The Columbus Washboard Company has an awesome website. It makes me happy. There is only one aspect of their business that makes me sad. They are the ONLY washboard manufacturing company left in the USA. Clothes washing is a chore that is automated for the vast majority of people living in America and [...]

Captains of Disaster

admin — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 02:11:42 +0000

Submitted by Aguanomics Blog via DW) San Diego water department officials are worried that people are not paying attention to watering restrictions meant to reduce use. What’s their tool of choice? “City water officials expected and hoped neighbors would keep an eye on each other’s lawns.” Oh, so the city wants everyone to turn water-nazi on each [...]

What Does Reliable Mean?

admin — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 02:10:23 +0000

Submitted by Aguanomics Blog A guest post by Jeffrey A. Michael* I have been reading and listening to California’s agriculture industry a lot lately. Reliable is their favorite word. They need a reliable water supply. They need a reliable labor supply. And they want the government to adopt policies to ensure reliability. In most situations, reliability problems are [...]

Blogging for Justice

admin — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 02:09:00 +0000

Submitted by Aguanomics Blog Some of you may recall a past post where I discussed my quest for justice from a thief who defrauded me and many other people. On Friday, Doug Kohler was sentenced to 100 days in prison for his crimes. I am satisfied with that outcome (and the slight chance that I may see my [...]

Monday Morning Smile

admin — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 18:52:57 +0000

Submitted by Aguanomics Blog Not sure if this is a smile, but it’s concise: …and here’s the solution: …and here’s what happens if that “solution” fails (from Malaysia): hattips to CM and JM

Plastic Chairs Suck

admin — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 03:53:28 +0000

Submitted by PlasticLess.com Blog Plastic patio chairs are ubiquitous where I am living. My rented flat comes complete with five of them. If I were furnishing a place of my own, I would splurge on well designed and constructed wooden chairs. “Portland Chair Made from 70% Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified Eucalyptus Cladocalyx, a Teak-like hardwood harvested from [...]

TV News Covers Anti-Bottled Water Trend

admin — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 03:50:06 +0000

Submitted by PlasticLess.com Blog CBS took a moment away from reporting about how much media coverage Michael Jackson’s death is receiving to talk about bottled water and the people who are not in favor of it. They mention phthalates and they mention the price difference between bottle and tap, but they don’t mention plastic. Drinking water from [...]

Flashback: 5-11 July 2008

admin — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 03:39:04 +0000

Submitted by Aguanomics Blog These posts are STILL relevant, so please comment (I’ll approve them ASAP.) If you want to know what I do in my day job, read about Incentives and Mechanisms, i.e., designing mechanisms that provide the “right” incentives, so people do the “right” thing. Some places suffer from Vegas Delusions, i.e., the idea that [...]

Higher Prices, Problems Fixed? NOT!

admin — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 03:34:33 +0000

Submitted by Aguanomics Blog I’ve seen 50+ headlines of higher prices for residential water service in the western US. Are these headlines the sign of sound aguanomic policies to restrict demand? No, unfortunately, they are the result of break-even accounting at water agencies that are selling less water. What do I mean by that? Here’s the long [...]

Atlanta Update, Part 1

admin — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 03:30:18 +0000

Submitted by Aguanomics Blog A guest post from Derekj (signified@gmail.com): I thought you might be interested in a little water allocation drama that has been playing out in Georgia/Florida/Alabama for almost 20 years. Atlanta, as I understand it, is one of the largest metropolitan areas in the country with no natural growth boundaries (i.e. a coastline like [...]