Quarter of world's population facing extreme water stress

WASHINGTON, United States — Nearly a quarter of the world's population lives in 17 countries facing extremely high water stress, close to "day zero" conditions when the taps run dry, according to a report released Tuesday.

The World Resources Institute's Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas ranked water stress, drought risk and riverine flood risk using a peer-reviewed methodology.

"Agriculture, industry, and municipalities are drinking up 80% of available surface and groundwater in an average year" in the 17 worst affected countries, WRI said.


"When demand rivals supply, even small dry shocks—which are set to increase due to climate change—can produce dire consequences" such as the recent crises in Cape Town, Sao Paulo and Chennai.

Qatar, Israel, Lebanon, Iran, Jordan, Libya, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Eritrea, UAE, San Marino, Bahrain, India, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, Oman and Botswana made up the top 17.

"Water stress is the biggest crisis no one is talking about. Its consequences are in plain sight in the form of food insecurity, conflict and migration, and financial instability," said Andrew Steer, CEO of WRI.

Another 27 countries comprised the "high baseline water stress" list.

The Middle East and North Africa are home to 12 of the most stressed countries, while India, which is ranked 13, has more than three times the population of the other 16 in its category combined.


"The recent water crisis in Chennai gained global attention, but various areas in India are experiencing chronic water stress as well," said Shashi Shekhar, India's former water secretary, adding that the tool could help authorities identify and prioritize risks.

Even countries with low average water stress can have dire hotspots, the report found. While the US ranks a comfortable 71 on the list, the state of New Mexico faces water stress on par with the UAE.

source: philstar.com

World facing water-energy crisis - UN

PARIS -- Surging populations and economies in the developing world will cause a double crunch in demand for water and energy in the coming decades, the UN said Friday.

In a report published on the eve of World Water Day, it said the cravings for clean water and electricity were intertwined and could badly strain Earth's limited resources.

"Demand for freshwater and energy will continue to increase over the coming decades to meet the needs of growing populations and economies, changing lifestyles and evolving consumption patterns, greatly amplifying existing pressures on limited natural resources and on ecosystems," the report said.

Already, 768 million people do not have access to a safe, reliable source of water, 2.5 billion do not have decent sanitation and more than 1.3 billion do not have mains electricity.

About 20 percent of the world's aquifers today are depleted, according to the report.

Agriculture accounts for more than two-thirds of water use.

The World Water Development Report, the fifth in the series by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, is an overview collated from data from scientific studies and investigations by agencies.

It said ever more freshwater will be needed for farming, construction, drinking, cooking, washing and sewerage, but also for energy production -- 90 percent of which uses water-intensive techniques today.

The report gave this snapshot of the future:

 Global water demand is likely to increase by 55 percent by 2050.
  
 By then, more than 40 percent of the world's population will be living in areas of "severe" water stress, many of them in the broad swathe of land from North Africa and the Middle East to western South Asia.
   
Asia will be the biggest hotspot for bust-ups over water extraction, where water sources straddle national borders. "Areas of conflict include the Aral Sea and the Ganges-Brahmaputra River, Indus River and Mekong River basins," said the report.
   
Global energy demand is expected to grow by more than a third by 2035, with China, India and Middle Eastern countries accounting for 60 percent of the increase.
  
 In 2010, energy production gobbled up 66 billion cubic metres (2,300 billion cu. feet) of fresh water -- more than the average annual flow of the River Nile in Egypt.
  
 By 2035, this consumption could rise by 85 percent, driven by power plant cooling systems that work with water.

Thirsty energy

Shale deposits and tar sands, driving an energy boom in North America, are especially hefty in their demands for water to force out the precious gas and oil, the report said.

Even so, "they are outstripped by far by biofuels," said researcher Richard Connor, who headed the study.

Renewable sources like solar and wind energy that use far less water are gaining ground, and accounted for about a fifth of global electricity output in 2011, the report said.

But they are unlikely to expand this share significantly if fossil fuels continue receiving the bulk of subsidies, it said.

Oil, gas and coal had subsidies of $523 billion (376 billion euros) in 2011, nearly 30 percent more than in 2010, compared to $88 billion for renewables, the report said, citing International Energy Agency figures.

Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean have plenty of potential for hydro-energy, which reuses the precious resource, it added.

Hydroelectric dams have been extremely controversial. Big projects deliver gigawatts of power but critics say they are ecologically damaging and prone to massive cost overruns.

The review called for a global effort in efficiency gains, pointing the finger at the arid countries of the Middle East where between 15 and 60 percent of water is wasted through leaks or evaporation even before the consumer opens the tap.

The report also called for smart choices in allocating the trillions of dollars likely to be invested in water and energy infrastructure over the next two decades.

source: interaksyon.com

The unflattering side effect of a low-carb diet

You’ve been wanting to lose weight so you can fit into that lovely red dress you’re eyeing to wear on your special date. So, you’ve decided to eliminate carbohydrates in your meal believing you will not gain extra pounds before the date. Yes, low-carb diets may be good for your waistline, but it may not be the same for your breath.

Bad breath from low or no-carb diets is often caused by chemicals called ketones that are released in the breath as the body burns fat. An example of this effect occurs especially in the popular Atkins diet. Carbohydrates aren’t readily available, so the body starts consuming other fats and proteins as its source of energy. As a result, one gets a breath problem.

It’s not an oral hygiene problem. Brushing, flossing, and scraping the tongue may not be able to hide the bad breath. Instead, reconsider your diet and modify it to avoid this embarrassing condition. There may be some ways to mask bad breath by (using mouthwash, for instance), but the basic problem still exists—so, better introduce complex carbohydrates (found in whole grains and vegetables like broccoli and spinach) in your diet instead.

What to do

Though this is not an oral hygiene problem, certain remedies can help banish the bad breath or at least mask the odor.

• Drink more water. Drinking water and swishing it around your mouth after your mouth after you eat helps moisten the mouth and gets the food particles that may contribute to odor, out. Chewing fresh parsley can also help.

• Chew sugarless gum or suck on sugarless mints. In particular, those that contain Xylitol also kill bacteria and can prevent cavities.

Optimum nutrition means having a well balanced meal—the greatest percentage for energy source should come from carbohydrates. The key is on the amount and kinds of foods that we eat. Complex carbohydrates may be good for dieters and with people who have diabetes because they are rich in fibers and makes one feel full at once. So, before you blame carbohydrates for any added inches in your waistline and decide to eliminate them altogether, think again. The downside could be unattractive, too.

• Want to know more? Manila Doctors Hospital’s resident nutritionists and dieticians at the PROHEALTH Center offer diet counseling services that are tailor-fit to your lifestyle. They also offer nutrition and disease education on common medical conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity.

PROHEALTH is open from Mondays through Saturdays from 8:00am to 5:00 pm and is located at the ground floor of Manila Doctors Hospital, No. 667 United Nations Ave., Ermita, Manila. You may reach them at these numbers (02) 524-3011 local 4718. For more information, visit the Manila Doctors website here.

source: interaksyon.com

WANT TO SAVE LIVES? Promote handwashing with soap to cut 1,400 child deaths daily - UN

NEW YORK -- Millions of children Tuesday took part in the sixth annual United Nations-backed Global Handwashing Day, driving home the message that the simple use of soap and water could slash highly preventable diarrheal diseases that kill 1,400 children under five every day.

“Washing hands before eating and after defecation drastically reduces the spread of diarrheal disease and has far reaching effects on the health and welfare of children and communities,” the global head of the UN's Children’s Fund (Unicef) Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (Wash) programs, Sanjay Wijesekera, said in a message marking the Day, whose theme this year is "The Power Is in our Hands."

“The simple act of handwashing with soap is one of the most effective ways to save children’s lives.”

In Ethiopia, some five million children participated in handwashing demonstrations and workshops around the country.

In Yemen, Global Handwashing Day celebrations took place in 3,300 schools, involving 1.4 million children. There is also a mass media campaign aimed at sensitizing the public around handwashing.

At least 1,000 schools in Vietnam, 450 in Sierra Leone, 424 in Mali, 200 in 50 communities in Gambia, as well as 12 cities in Indonesia and 22 educational institutions in several municipalities in Bolivia held Global Hand Washing Day activities.

600,000 children die of diarrheal diseases every year

According to Unicef, diarrhea remains the second largest cause of under-five mortality globally. Some 600,000 children die each year from diarrheal diseases caused by a lack of safe water, sanitation, and basic hygiene out of a total of over 1.7 billion cases.

These diseases are also associated with a higher risk of stunting, as shown by low weight for age and developmental delay, and they take a huge toll on society. One of the simplest and most inexpensive barriers to infection is handwashing with soap.

“The evidence is clear. Each individual - every mother, every child, every teacher, every member of every community - can contribute to the health of all by just washing their hands,” Wijesekera said.

“If you knew of something monumental that could benefit the world, you would do it. Everyone has this power - simply wet, lather, and rinse with soap and water.

source: interaksyon.com

Why your smile prefers water over soft drinks

HERE are some interesting stats about soft drinks:

• The average soft drink serving size has tripled since the 1950s.

• The average person drinks about 45 gallons of soda per year.

• Seven percent of adults drink four servings or more per day.

• At least 20 percent of children drink four servings or more per day.

Soft drinks are loaded with sugar and empty calories. Consumption has been linked to obesity, diabetes, and heart problems.

But of major concern to us, as your lifelong oral health partner, is that sugary, carbonated drinks really bully your teeth!






1. The acids eat away at your tooth enamel

Your tooth enamel is strong—the hardest substance in your body, in fact. But the phosphoric acid and citric acid in soft drinks (ironic name for sodas, isn’t it?) is stronger.

2. Carbonated sugar is replacing calcium-rich milk

In 1966, Americans drank more milk (33 gallons/year) than soft drinks (20 gallons/year). Contrast that with 2010, when the average American drank 45 gallons of soft drinks and only 20 gallons of milk.

3. Diet isn’t really better

You can remove sugar from the equation, but the acid is still there! In fact, many sugar-free soft drinks are more acidic than high-sugar ones.

Root beer may be the safest soft drink for your teeth, even though it’s loaded with sugar. Why? Because it’s comparatively low in acid.

4. Constant sipping creates a constant war zone

Every time you take a sip of a Coke, your mouth becomes an acid-attack zone. It takes your mouth up to 30 minutes to rebalance and create a safe zone for your teeth again. Until then, your teeth ARE losing protective substance, leaving them more vulnerable to cavities, and sensitivity.

5. It’s a dessert disguised as a beverage

Don’t believe us? Here’s the math:

One 12 oz can of Coke (the smallest serving available) has 39 grams of sugar, which is more than:

• 3 snack packs of Chips Ahoy

• 2 servings of frozen yogurt

• A whole slice of apple pie WITH ice cream on top.

So, minimize the damage by:

1. Drinking less! Replace soft drinks with milk, water, even juice.

2. Drinking it all at once, instead of sipping all day.

3. Swishing it down with water to clear away the sugar and acidity.

source: asianjournal.com

Water crisis to hit Philippines in 10 years if no new sources are tapped, expert says

The Philippines is facing a water crisis over the next 10 years unless new sources are developed to meet growing demand, an expert said on Wednesday.

On the sidelines of a forum, Edgar C. Lopez, Philippine Waterworks Association president, said Metro Manila, Cebu, Davao, Baguio, Angeles among other urban centers could face severe water shortage by 2025.

"There is a [Japan International Cooperation Agency] study that says that in 2025 if we will not conserve water, there may be some problems. But of course we can always start conserving now and look for other sources," he said.

He blamed dwindling water supply on population growth and wasteful use.

But while the Philippines' mega cities could dry up in the coming years, many people in rural areas still don't have access to piped water.

Lopez said 20 million Filipinos still rely on their own means for their water supply, including pumps that extract ground water, a technology deemed unsustainable and dangerous as prolonged use could lead to the formation of sink holes.

To address concerns on inadequate supply, Lopez said both the private sector and the government should look into investing in new water sources and supporting the development of water districts.

"The private sector will play a lot because the government cannot afford these projects," he said.

Water districts, Lopez said, require P100 million in investments to secure their supply.

Private sector role big

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said the private sector has a big role to play in terms of securing water.

In a live chat on Thursdauy, Amy S. P. Leung, ADB Southeast Asian urban development and water division director, said private firms can practice "good stewardship" to protect water resources, which would minimize their business risks and keep costs low.

"Large businesses can be encouraged to show leadership to their suppliers. All businesses in all countries must be made water-aware and take responsibility for their use of this critical resource," Leung said.

She said public-private partnership (PPP) is one of the options but governance has to improve as well to ensure water as a resource is managed effectively, and as a service delivered efficiently.

"More should be done on water sector reforms and implementation of effective regulatory regimes," she said.

Another problem confronting developing nations like the Philippines is that government money does not often reach the poor households because of the "lack of last-mile connectivity."

Leung said the lack of funds for expansion remains a constrraint, adding that utilities do not receive enough funds from the government or they cannot achieve cost recovery in the tariff they charge users.

"Numerous studies show that providing piped-water access is the cheaper and safer alternative for all, including the poor," she said.

source: interaksyon.com

Summer Skincare Tips

The summer is right around the corner. That means longer days and more time spent outside. Summer is indeed a lot of fun, but people should make sure that they take the steps necessary to protect their skin from the harsh summer sun. Below are five of the most important summer skin care tips:

Avoid sun during its peak hours

Many people enjoy spending time outside, but the harsh ultraviolent rays from the sun can do serious damage to the skin. People who spend too much time in the sun also have a tendency to age more quickly. Studies have also shown that exposure to ultraviolent rays can also make a person more susceptible to developing skin cancer. The sun is at its peak during the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Sun exposure should be limited during those times.

Put on sunscreen

It is not possible to completely avoid the sun during the wintertime. However, people should always make sure that they apply sunscreen when they go outside. This includes the times before 10 A.M. and after 4 P.M. Sunscreen helps protect the skin from the harsh ultraviolent rays.

Cleanse the skin

This may seem like a given, but it is one of the most important things that people can do to keep their skin healthy during any season. Washing helps remove the toxins that can build up and rob the skin of its beauty. However, people should not bathe or shower more than twice per day. Over washing the skin removes many of its protective oils.

Drink plenty of water

Water also helps flush out toxins in the body and helps keep the complexion smooth and radiant. Drinking water also helps prevent dehydration, which is very common during the hotter months. People should carry a water bottle with them at all times to make sure that they are drinking enough water.

Eat a healthy diet

Eating diet that is filled with fruits and vegetables will allow a person to get plenty of antioxidants. Antioxidants are nutrients that help keep the skin looking youthful. People should also make sure that they get plenty of whole grains and lean protein.

Limiting sun exposure, applying sunscreen, cleansing the skin, drinking water and eating a healthy diet are the keys to keeping the skin healthy during the summer.

Brian Rebula is a skin care writer and Skin Care Center consultant focusing on homeopathic remedies for facial rejuvenation.

Article Source:
http://www.articlebiz.com/article/1051549487-1-summer-skincare-tips/