Researchers turn to international cooperation to save Asia’s 7′th longest river.

Urbanization, growing slums, intensive farming, damming, and warring political ideologies are just a few of the hurdles that researchers from Helsinki University of Technology will need to overcome to protect the Mekong River, one of the most important water sources in Southeast Asia.

Luckily, they have a plan. To save the river, researchers have developed what they are calling the ‘3E principle’: the idea that “waters should be used to provide economic well-being to the people, without compromising social equity and environmental sustainability.”

Putting this principle into practice means working closely with each of the countries that benefits from the Mekong River (China and Tibet, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam) to safeguard the river’s life-giving water.

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Do you want the good news first, or the bad news? Good news it is! California achieved its best “dry-weather” beach water quality since recording began. During last year’s summer season, 93% of beaches received an A or B grade, based on daily and weekly bacteria measurements taken from April, 2007 to March, 2008. That figure is up 8% from the prior year.

That is good news, at least until you learn that last year’s drought in SoCal contributed to this improvement. With less rainfall, the amount of urban runoff traveling through our storm drains and out into the ocean was reduced. Urban runoff consists of everything that hits the ground, from cigarette butts to plastic bottles to dog doo. Because of this disgusting stew, “wet-weather” results are not good, with 26% of beaches receiving F grades.

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We used to be really good at this stuff. In fact, we sort of invented environmental policy in the late ’60s and early ’70s.  So that leaves me with one question for you all: WTF happened?

Thanks to Luis Alves at mokkikunta for the heads up on this one

Complete EPI Listings and the Methodological Criteria Can be Found Here

Animals can be struck by vehicles while indulging their salt fix. Like many drugs, it can slow the reaction time of birds, causing them to be less alert around approaching cars .

“Birds get apathetic, they can’t fly off and that’s when they get schmucked by an 18-wheeler. So, while they’re getting hit by the cars, we believe the root cause is road salt,” said scientist Pierre Mineau.

Aquatic life is also at risk when melting snow gathers salt, finding its way to lakes and streams. Chloride concentrations can reach more than 1,000 milligrams per liter (mg/l), preventing the distribution of oxygen and nutrients. Environment Canada estimates that 10% of aquatic species are harmed by prolonged exposure to concentrations greater than 220 mg/l.

Vegetation is also effected by road salt, causing it to turn brown with dehydration. Salt intolerant species, such as Maple trees are disappearing from roadways. Vegetation as far as 162 feet from roads can be damaged. Because of the intricacy of the web of life, harm to vegetation can have a residual effect on wildlife.

Salt can also have an effect on health in humans although there is little evidence of salt addiction. The U.S. E.P.A. stated, “Especially since the construction of the interstate highway system, water contamination due to wintertime road salting has become an increasing problem.” Salt not only increases chloride levels in water, but can also increase the corrosion of pipes. This releases lead and other metals into the drinking water.

Many times this winter, I have seen salt trucks covering the roads with salt. Although this certainly offers a numerous benefits to the public, it does come with a price. Many states have been using alternatives to salt with success.

Green Roofs
These living roofs reduce strain on the wastewater systems, while reducing the energy use of the building due to insulative properties.

Renewable Energy
Wind, solar electricity, solar thermal, biomass, and geothermal are energy sources that replenish themselves over time, unlike fossil fuels.

Affordable Housing
To help increase the housing options available to Chicagoans, affordable housing as determined by the Chicago Department of Housing standards is encouraged.

Combined Heat and Electric Generation On-site
These systems are more efficient for larger buildings because the generation of electricity typically produces heat as a byproduct that is frequently wasted.

Accessibility
This criteria increases the accessibility of buildings to people with physical disabilities.

Transportation oriented development & access to public transportation
In an effort to create vibrant communities, mixed use developments, proximity to public transportation, and developing previously undesirable areas is encouraged.

Exceptional Water Management
Water efficiency or innovative storm water management can improve water quality, protect ecosystems, and reduce energy use.

The green permit program can serve as an enticing opportunity, especially for developers, who will not benefit from the lower operating costs or higher occupancy after they no longer own the building. Combined heat and electric generation, green roofs, renewable energy can pay for themselves in energy savings over time, but come with a large upfront price tag. Accessibility, proximity to public transportation and affordability can help increase the occupancy of the building down the road, but may not offer short-term financial benefits.

Longer wait times to begin construction for building permits can increase construction costs, while giving a green light for projects with environmental and social features will make the future of green building in Chicago more lucrative.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has raised numerous objections to the permit, which was blocked on October 1. One concern is that the permit may not sufficiently limit chromium, cadmium, silver, cyanide and other chemicals to meet water quality standards for Indiana.

This is the second uproar in recent months about pollutants in Lake Michigan after BP was issued a permit for its $3 billion expansion of the Whitting, IN refinery. This expansion would allow the refinery to handle large quantities of Alberta Tar Sands crude, and comes with a high environmental price tag for Lake Michigan, such as a 54% increase in ammonia and 35% increase in sludge particles being released. This permit was the first to be issued in years that would increase the amount of pollution that a company is allowed to emit into Lake Michigan by finding a loophole in the Clean Water Act.

Chicagoans were particularly alarmed by these plans because their drinking water intake is located just a few miles from the Whiting refinery discharge. Many area residents responded by signing petitions, participating in demonstrations and a boycotting BP products. The message was heard loud and clear. The company later announced that it would not increase discharge into the lake, and would investigate pollution control technologies.

Despite this announcement, the permit remains on the books and could set a lower standard for future discharge permits. This series of events does, however, demonstrate the influence that private citizens and politicians can have over the actions of corporations when government standards seem to be satisfactory. Recent threats to the water quality of Lake Michigan serve as a reminder of the importance of the lake, which is the largest freshwater lake in the United States.

Chicago Tribune: Indiana Giving Lake Polluter a Break

Also on GO:

Eco-Effective Decisions: Stick to the Claims in Your Ad Campaign. Who’s Not? British Petroleum & the EPA.

Today's podcast is available here.