I just saw a great documentary by Sanjay Kak, called Words on Water (2003).  It focuses on longstanding resistance to the construction of giant dams in India’s Narmada Valley. The footage is captivating,  including a scene in which Arundhati Roy is arrested and taken to jail in an SUV owned by a dam construction company. In another scene, James Wolfensohn (during his tenure as president of the World Bank) talks through a chain-link fence to a crowd of protesters. I found the activists very inspiring, although I know there are other ways of viewing this conflict. There must be a way to safeguard against abuses of power, and I think it starts with this kind of organized community action.

Credits: Image of a scene in Words on Water from magiclanternfoundation.org.

This page features accessible instructions on setting up environmental field studies. It’s a great way to get started with sampling soil, water, air, plants, and wildlife. Information is provided by the Field Studies Council (FSC), a nonprofit organization that sponsors training, research, publication, and international outreach around environmental sustainability.

Photo appears on the Make your own fieldwork equipment page of the FSC website

Quoted from the Field Studies Council website: FSC has become internationally respected for its national network of 17 education centres, international outreach training projects, research programmes, information and publication services and wide range of fascinating professional training and leisure courses…The FSC believes the more we know about the environment, the more we can appreciate its needs and protect its diversity and beauty for future generations.

In Holland, houses and other structures are being equipped to float in case of flooding. The houses are connected to electricity and plumbing through flexible pipes. While it is troubling that climate change has created the need for this kind of innovation, it is also promising to consider the different applications for these techniques.

Quoted from “Dutch Architects Plan for a Floating Future” feature on NPR: Zevenbergen’s company has already built floating greenhouses and has designs for floating roads. It even has plans for houses that not only float, but also move.

The Center for Science and Environment (CSE), a public interest organization in New Delhi, holds classes in urban rainwater harvesting for practitioners. The term “rainwater harvesting” refers to the storage of rain for later use. The CSE program combines traditional water management practices with new technologies. This seems like a practical way of promoting efficient and sustainable natural resource management. I wonder if it would be possible to extend this training to non-practitioners in urban slums.

Photo from the construction page on rainwaterharvesting.org

Quoted from the Urban Rainwater Harvesting page on the Anil Agarwal Green Centre website: Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has, over the years, researched and spread awareness about the relevance of rainwater harvesting (RWH) in urban areas. Among its most successful initiatives has been conducting training workshops for various stakeholders, including non-governmental organisations (NGOs), researchers, residents’ welfare associations (RWAs), engineers, architects, urban planners, civic body officials and industry consultants.

The Pacific Institute is doing exceptional work in environmental conservation and sustainable development. They are currently cosponsoring a lecture series on water conservation with the Commonwealth Club of Northern California.

Quoted: The Pacific Institute is dedicated to protecting our natural world, encouraging sustainable development, and improving global security. Founded in 1987 and based in Oakland, California, we provide independent research and policy analysis on issues at the intersection of development, environment, and security. Our aim is to find real-world solutions to problems like water shortages, habitat destruction, global warming, and environmental injustice. We conduct research, publish reports, recommend solutions, and work with decision makers, advocacy groups, and the public to change policy.